Keiko Fujimori expands El Milagro prison in Trujillo and announces permanent searches
President Keiko Fujimori visited El Milagro prison in Trujillo to oversee security and announced the expansion of the facility, which houses four times its capacity.
Fujimori strengthens penitentiary control in Trujillo as part of anti-crime strategy
The President of the Republic, Keiko Fujimori, inspected the El Milagro penitentiary facility in Trujillo and announced measures to expand its capacity, according to gestion.pe. The facility, designed for 1,500 inmates, currently holds more than 6,000, a situation the president deemed urgent to correct.
"The prison has a capacity for 1,500 inmates and it has more than 6,000 inmates. That also has to be corrected," Fujimori said during her inspection of the facilities.
The head of state indicated that she held conversations with the Ministers of Defence and Justice to evaluate the construction of three or four new blocks in the short term. "But, of course, with absolute control. This is the beginning of the recovery of all prisons nationwide," she stressed. She also announced the promotion of productive workshops for inmates.
New authorities and equipment in the prison
During the visit, Fujimori informed about changes in penitentiary administration: a new head of the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) and a new director for El Milagro were appointed. The president also found that the facility's machines have been inoperative for three years and announced their replacement.
In contrast, she highlighted the results of control and security mechanisms recently implemented. Since the Armed Forces entered the prisons, visits to the facility were reduced by 50%. "Of course we want families to visit the inmates, yes, but they will no longer be able to bring in anything illegal," she noted.
State of emergency in five high-risk prisons
The Government declared a state of emergency on 5 September for 60 days in five penitentiary facilities considered high-risk: Challapalca, Cochamarca, Miguel Castro Castro, Ancón I and El Milagro. The measure includes reinforcement of interior and perimeter security with participation of the National Police and support from the Armed Forces.
When asked about the possibility of extending the state of emergency to other prisons, Fujimori responded affirmatively and stated that the joint intervention of the institutions involved allows for introducing changes and reinforcing discipline.
890 specialised officers strengthen La Libertad
As part of measures against crime in the region, the president headed the presentation at the headquarters of the National Police's Special Services Unit (USE) of a contingent of 890 officers from specialised units that will reinforce operations in La Libertad.
Of that total, 250 police officers were transferred from Lima to Trujillo. The group includes agents from the Tactical Actions Sub-unit (SUAT), the National Directorate of Special Operations (Dinoes) and the Special Response Group against Organised Crime (Grecco), units specialised in high-risk interventions.
Fujimori also highlighted the formation of a Unified Command to coordinate the work of the National Police and the Armed Forces. "The unified command has been formed, just as was done to defeat terrorism. We will do the same now," she said.
Appeal to the justice system and the private sector
The president called upon the private sector, organised society and the three levels of Government to contribute with technology and logistical support. She reported that she was coordinating with the regional governor of La Libertad, Joana Cabrera, regarding the logistical needs of an Army battalion about to arrive in the region.
Fujimori also directed a direct appeal to institutions of the justice system to ensure that detentions result in convictions. "I appeal to the justice system that when we have detainees, they are prosecuted and then sentenced," she emphasised. She also asked the media to oversee the actions of the authorities and recognise the work of police officers, military personnel, prosecutors and judges.
The president confirmed that control operations will not cease: "Searches will be constant, sweeps as well."
Previous operations result in 13 detainees with outstanding warrants and three criminal gangs dismantled
Before Fujimori's arrival in Trujillo, law enforcement carried out interventions at various points in the city. According to the balance presented by the authorities, the operations resulted in the capture of 13 people with outstanding warrants, the dismantling of three criminal gangs and the recovery of five stolen vehicles.
Also seized were US$ 42,000 allegedly linked to illegal mining and 34 other people were detained. Additionally, 200 foreign nationals were intervened, of which 60 were in irregular migration situations: 50 Venezuelans, nine Colombians and one Ecuadorian.
Source: Google News PE — Crime