CARACAS - The arrival of coronavirus in Venezuela is fueling concerns the disease could spread like a fast-moving fire through the country's notoriously overcrowded and unsanitary prisons.
Human Rights Watch in a report this year said the country's prisons are plagued by corruption, inadequate security and overcrowding. Like others contacted, she offered only her first name and asked that the prison not be identified. Those who have publicly complained about the conditions of imprisoned family members say prison authorities take reprisals against the inmates.
The group estimates that 40% of the country's inmates are still awaiting trial. Most of those are confined in police station cell blocks that are meant to hold people for 48 hours while they are processed by the judicial system.