BOLIVIA: Authorities in Bolivia announce plans to separate children living with their incarcerated parents in overcrowded jails

Record ID: 174026

  • Title: BOLIVIA: Authorities in Bolivia announce plans to separate children living with their incarcerated parents in overcrowded jails
  • Date: 28th June 2013
  • Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (JUNE 25, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF WOMEN'S DETENTION CENTRE VARIOUS OF INMATES WITH CHILDREN INSIDE DETENTION CENTRE EL ALTO, BOLIVIA (JUNE 26, 2013) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIA PRISONS DIRECTOR, RAMIRO LLANOS, SAYING: "We guarantee that children can go out according to agreements and institutions. They (children) can leave during the day and return at night if they are under six. Other children over six will be under the authority of other government institutions, municipalities, Justice Ministry who need to take the lead on this. I know the ombudsman is calling a meeting to analyse (the situation) so we can overcome this problem." GENERAL VIEW OF CHONCHOCORO MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON POLICE GUARDING CHONCHOCORO PRISON SIGN AT PRISON VARIOUS OF INMATES PROTESTING DECISION BY PRISON DIRECTOR RAMIRO LLANOS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIA PRISONS DIRECTOR, RAMIRO LLANOS, SAYING: "What happened here? Deaths, beheadings, gun murders, it is said grenades. This is tolerated to the point where prisons are controlled by the prisoners." VARIOUS OF MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON VARIOUS OF INMATES PROTESTING INSIDE PRISON LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (JUNE 27, 2013) (REUTERS) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO BOLIVIA, DENIS RACICOT UNITED NATIONS LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO BOLIVIA, DENIS RACICOT, SAYING: "In no other country in the Latin American region, does this situation exist where boys and girls over six years or adolescents until the age of 18 live with a male parent in prison, or both parents in preventative detention in a men's prison. In this respect, Bolivia's situation is unique today." VARIOUS OF RACICOT IN U.N HEADQUARTERS IN BOLIVIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS TO BOLIVIA, DENIS RACICOT, SAYING: "In Bolivia, this has taken priority over the interests of the children. For a long time, the unity of the family-- even if it means staying in jail-- has taken precedence to the detriment of the better interests of the child. But also, there are economic interests." EL ALTO, BOLIVIA (JUNE 26, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF INMATE AT MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON
  • Embargoed: 13th July 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bolivia, Plurinational State Of
  • Country: Bolivia
  • Topics: Crime
  • Reuters ID: LVA1MDOX9X12TNEBUAN30F4J755J
  • Story Text: Bolivian authorities have announced moves to separate children living with their parents in Bolivian prisons, days after the case of a 12-year-old girl raped by her inmate father sparked outrage in the South American country.
    According to government statistics, an estimated 2,000 young children live in some of Bolivia's toughest prisons with their convicted parents. Under current law, children under six are allowed to stay with their parents in jail cells, however, many stay on until they reach 18 because they have no alternative care.
    Bolivia's prison director Ramiro Llanos said the law will now be enforced and children over the age of six will be moved out of jails and into government custody.

    "We guarantee that children can go out according to agreements and institutions. They (children) can leave during the day and return at night if they are under six. Other children over six will be under the authority of other government institutions, municipalities, Justice Ministry who need to take the lead on this. I know the ombudsman is calling a meeting to analyse (the situation) so we can overcome this problem," he said.
    Inmates whose children live with them in Bolivia's maximum security of Chonchocoro have protested the plan to remove their children from their custody.
    With drug activity, gang warfare and corruption rife in Bolivia's overcrowded penal system, Llano told media it was time for the country to take back control of its jails.

    "What happened here? Deaths, beheadings, gun murders, it is said grenades. This is tolerated to the point where prisons are controlled by the prisoners," Llanos added.
    The United Nations has long expressed concerns about the large number of Bolivian children who live with their incarcerated parents. Although they receive meals and education under a government programme, the children are often packed into small cells that house entire families and are often witnesses to violence and sometimes prostitution.
    Representative for the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights to Bolvia, Denis Racicot, said the country needs to catch up with its Latin American neighbours who have phased out the practice.

    "In no other country in the Latin American region, does this situation exist where boys and girls over six years or adolescents until the age of 18 live with a male parent in prison, or both parents in preventative detention in a men's prison. In this respect, Bolivia's situation is unique today," said Racicot.
    The Bolivian government guarantees each prisoner 6.6 Bolivian pesos per day, which is less than one euro, to feed their family. For South America's poorest nation, money and a tight-knit families are some of the reasons behind keeping kids and parents together in prison, often against the best interests of children.

    "In Bolivia, this has taken priority over the interests of the children. For a long time, the unity of the family-- even if it means staying in jail-- has taken precedence to the detriment of the better interests of the child. But also, there are economic interests," added Racicot.
    A recent study by the Organisation of American States reported nearly 14,000 inmates are crammed into Bolivian jails designed to house just 3,740 prisoners. Children often share living space with violent criminals such as drug dealers and murderers.
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