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Culture without borders. / La culture sans frontières.

Costa Rica Opens Mega-Prison Inspired by El Salvador for 5,000 Inmates

Costa Rica has opened a mega-prison inspired by El Salvador's model, designed to hold around 5,000 inmates. The facility blocks communication by removing electrical outlets and strictly controlling food and clothing amid rising crime.


James Okonkwo
James Okonkwo
October 15, 2026  ·  1 min read
Brief

Costa Rica has inaugurated a mega-prison inspired by the Salvadoran model, designed to accommodate approximately 5,000 inmates, reports France 24.

This prison is notable for the absence of electrical outlets in the cells and strict control over permitted food and clothing. The goal is to prevent inmates from communicating with the outside and to sever ties between gang leaders and their criminal networks.

According to France 24 correspondent Léa Hurel, this initiative comes as Costa Rica adopts a more repressive stance in response to rising crime rates.

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