The Constitution states in Article 203, Paragraph 2 that: “In centers for social rehabilitation and in temporary detention, plans for education, training for work, agriculture, craftsmanship, industrial production or any other occupation, health plans will be promoted and implemented. mental and physical , and culture and recreation”.

Police personnel mobilized before a protest in front of a prison complex in Guayaquil

And Article 201 states that: “The social rehabilitation system shall aim at the complete rehabilitation of persons convicted of criminal offenses for the purpose of their reintegration into society, as well as the protection of persons deprived of their liberty and the guarantee of their rights.” “

These rules are clearer than water. Its adherence is not optional, it is mandatory. And the competent authorities must take all actions reasonably necessary to comply with such standards, in accordance with the principles of efficiency, effectiveness, quality, evaluation, etc. What part of this has not been understood by the competent authorities who have allowed so much barbarity in and out of Ecuadorian prisons? In a few sentences, the Constitutional Court, quite justifiably, presented part of the misfortune and state failures in the matter of those deprived of their freedom. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights sentenced Ecuador to the punishment. Relatives of prisoners who died in barbaric prisons are crying out for justice; and those of the prisoners who are still alive.

What is the Guayaquil prison complex like?: this is the layout of the five prisons that house 12,254 inmates

The debacle that lives there has surpassed everything. The fact that they found drugs, weapons and other prohibited items hidden in the prison administration eloquently breaks down the system. What must happen to end this calamity? God can help, but he is not the warden of the prison, he does not execute the budgets, he is not in charge of observing constitutional norms.

It is essential to change your attitude, cleanse your soul, respect the laws and support those in need…

We are suffocating in front of such barbarism. And what’s worse, no quick solutions are visualized. Volunteering can help, but it cannot replace compliance with state authority.

Part of the judiciary is forced to work remotely because its security is threatened, which is an eloquent expression of state inefficiency. During this time, complaints about the lack of funds for work in the judicial world continue. I hope that at least the transparency of souls will swim again and that there will be no more repetition of prosecutions, supersonic appeals, convictions without evidence, etc. We see dramas of violations of effective judicial protection, politicization of the judiciary, far away until it is the turn of someone close. We do not want new persecutions or new victims. We all want justice, to live in peace, to walk peacefully, to enjoy life with its natural limitations, without constantly thinking that everything will be over at any moment.

Will that be possible? Yes, it is about changing the attitude, cleansing the soul, respecting the law and supporting the needy, which includes rehabilitation of convicts and love for fellow human beings. (OR)