Costa Rica’s Mega-Prison: Is El Salvador’s Prison Model Taking Over Latin America?

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Costa Rica’s Mega-Prison: Is El Salvador’s Prison Model Taking Over Latin America?

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On October 14, 2026, Costa Rican President Laura Fernández inaugurated a massive high-security prison designed to hold approximately 5,100 inmates. Inspired by El Salvador’s controversial approach to organized crime, the new facility could eventually house roughly one-fifth of Costa Rica’s prison population. Supporters believe high-containment prisons can disrupt criminal organizations and restore public safety, while critics warn about overcrowding, human rights, and the consequences of mass incarceration. This episode examines Costa Rica’s new prison, El Salvador’s CECOT model, and the growing debate over whether mega-prisons actually reduce organized crime.

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