Emergency declared in Honduran prisons

[Judi Lynn]

Emergency declared in Honduran prisons
16:38, July 14, 2010

An emergency was declared in many Honduran prisons as they are overcrowded and insecure, Security Minister Oscar Alvarez said Tuesday.

The decision was made by the Council of Ministers to reform the prisons and fix deficiencies of the facilities, he told reporters.

Emergency was declared in prisons in San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortes, Yoro and El Progreso, all of which are in the North, as well as those in Santa Barbara and La Esperanza in the West, Trujillo and La Ceiba in the Caribbean, and Puerto Lempira in the Northeast.

Alvarez said the decision also plans to construct new prisons with support from foundations and private associations, and reclassificate prisoners.

The National Prison in central Honduras holds more than 3,000 prisoners, despite a housing capacity for only 900. A prison in San Pedro Sula locks up 2,500 prisoners, which is 200 percent over capacity.

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