The Treatment of Americans in Mexican Prisons

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat

Julio and Tony Americans serving time in a Mexico City prison

You may have read Vato's post regarding the complaints of Narcos in American prisons, now we take a look at how Americans are treated in Mexican prisons. It doesn’t differ much from the treatment of Mexicans in Mexican prisons,  however the distinction is critical, Americans are targets by all other prisoners,  as it is thought they have money to steal.

The conditions are deplorable, making conditons in the US prisons Club Med by comparison.  It is unfortunate that Mexican narcos can't spend time in Mexican prisons, but truth be told they would have it far differently than the conditions in this video.  Money buys everything wanted in Mexican prisons.

 

I had the “opportunity” to vist a prison as a “guest” of the prison director.  If I ever go on a return visit I will not eat before I go.  If the conditions don’t turn the stomach the smell surely will.  Perhaps it is because water is scarce in the prisons, water for drinking or enough to partially fill a bucket to bathe.  It is estimated that bathing occurs every couple of weeks.  Water and food are withheld from prisioners for 23 or the 24 hours they are locked in a cell., prisoners will bang on cell walls and bars chanting "Water! Water! Water!", going almost a complete day without.   The meal they are provided is slop, cooked in a kitchen that shares its space with the sewer and rats as big as small cats.

One of the rats sharing the kitchen with prison cooks and sewer below

Half of the food is stolen and “sold” as barter.  This means the meal will run out before all prisoners are served.  Starving bad guys are not happy and this can lead to violence.  Prisoners have created a system of trade, either by work such as tatooing or gambling.

Killing and being killed is the number one issue of each prisoner.  Killings are rampant and Americans are targeted by just about everyone and the suicide rate is extremely high.  Often to escape the conditions will lead one to death, or rivals on the outside will send a message “we have your family, die or they will be killed”

This full length video follows the lives of the inmates of two of the worlds toughest prisons. Julio and Tony are former LA gang members serving time for homicide in Mexico Citys high security prison - Santa Martha.

Seen as outsiders with money they have both been attacked many times but they are more than willing to fight back Lurigancho Prison in Peru was built for 3600 inmates but now houses nearly 10,000, with only 100 unarmed guards. To control the prisoners the authorities have handed over the running of the prison to a council of inmate leaders.  This video is a rare look inside a Mexican prison and its every day life.



Water and a "meal" are given once a day to the "lucky"

Kitchen

 Full length video

 Now a look at the living conditions and luxury cells capos and the wealthy enjoy in the same Mexico City prison and others in Chihuahua and throughout Mexico.  It will cost 6000USD per month but nothing is off limits.  Sex, drugs, VIP game rooms with fully stocked bars, 3 and 4 room air conditioned "cells", with refrigerators, microwaves and stoves, living areas with sound systems, and Television/DVD players.  In VIP sections there is work out area with equipment and patio areas with tables with umbrellas, and outdoor kitchens and bars. Chef's and women are brought in for parties.

If you read the book the last narco you will remember the desciption of El Chapos cell and surroundings.  These EFE photos will give you a visual.