Gangster's paradise: prisoners make mockery of Venezuela's jails

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/05/prisoners-make-mockery-venezuela-jails

On visiting days, the general penitentiary of Venezuela looks more gangster's paradise than penal institution: along the main corridor, rows of tables display cocaine, ecstasy, pot and crack in precisely arranged quantities.

Heavily armed prisoners and their girlfriends swagger, laugh and dance as reggaeton blares from giant speakers. There is a pool hall, internet cafe, air-conditioned gym and disco – all provided thanks to the largesse of a former prisoner. There is not a guard in sight.

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Justice is not just slow and contentious – it is almost absent. Instead, the prisoners make their own rules and set their own territory, according to the principle of survival of the strongest.

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Most men here do nothing but wait out a sentence that has yet to arrive. Human rights activists say almost 70% of inmates are being held in pre-trial detention. Some do odd jobs, such as fixing broken air-conditioners or painting the walls of the main prison. Their wages – paid by the pran – finance their drug habits.