Life Inside El Salvador's Maximum Security Prison: A Glimpse into the World of Terrorists

🔒Experience the maximum security features, including nine-meter concrete walls and electrified fencing, creating an impenetrable defense.

🚫Discover the absence of visitation rights for inmates in terrorism confinement and the elimination of any outside communication from the prison.

🔐Witness the strict measures taken during prisoner movement, such as handcuffs, ankle restraints, and chains, to minimize risks and prevent escapes.

🛏️Observe the living conditions of prisoners, with four-tier bunk beds, no mattresses, and constant lighting that disrupts their sense of time.

🔓Explore the rare occurrence of peace agreements between rival gangs, as they are placed in the same cell, evolving from enemies to coexisting prisoners.

What crimes do the inmates in this prison commit?

—The inmates are involved in severe crimes, including homicides, kidnappings, deprivation of liberty, and other inhumane acts. Some have sentences of over 270 years.

Do inmates have any privileges or special treatments?

—In this maximum security prison, inmates receive minimal privileges. They have access to basic meals consisting of rice, beans, cream, and tortillas. However, they do not enjoy any luxury or comfort.

How are the inmates controlled and monitored within the prison?

—The prison employs a variety of strict measures to control and monitor inmates, such as constant surveillance through cameras, strict supervision during meals, and the use of handcuffs, ankle restraints, and chains during movement.

What impact does gang culture have on the inmates?

—Gang culture greatly influences the inmates, who have been involved in gangs since their youth. The environment and societal influences led them down a path of crime and violence, resulting in their current status as dangerous criminals.

Is there any hope for rehabilitation or reform within the prison?

—While rehabilitation opportunities are limited in this maximum security prison, there are instances of inmates reflecting on their past actions and realizing the dire consequences of their choices. The interview with a reformed prisoner sheds light on the importance of staying away from criminal activities and finding a different path in life.

00:00Introduction and entry into El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, the largest prison in the Americas, housing dangerous criminals and gang members considered terrorists.

07:13Overview of the strict security measures, including intense interrogation, body searches, and multiple security filters.

12:08Inside the prison modules, witnessing the living conditions, four-tier bunk beds, constant lighting, and lack of privacy.

17:06Exploring the punishment and isolation cells, where prisoners are sent for committing infractions, experiencing claustrophobic and dark conditions.

20:44Overview of the prison's food distribution process, where all inmates receive the same dishes devoid of meat.

24:37Interview with a reformed prisoner involved in gangs, discussing his past and the importance of avoiding criminal involvement.

32:23Final reflections on the visit to the maximum security prison, acknowledging the harsh realities and the longing for change.