penal system

Tunnel found at La Joyita prison

CORTESIA

the La joyita tunnel1080422

Police discovered a tunnel at La Joyita prison yesterday that was being dug in an section that houses 457 violent offenders.

Police spokesman Eduardo Lim Yueng said that work on the tunnel had not advanced very far, as it was only five meters long and four meters deep. It was discovered during a surprise inspection of the facility.

Also discovered during the inspection was five cell phones, several weapons and other prohibited items.

This is the first tunnel discovered this year in the country's prisons, but they are not an uncommon occurrence. Some 15 tunnels have been discovered in the past 15 years, the last one in October of 2007.

Authorities said that such efforts have generally proved futile, as the tunnels are usually discovered before they can be used.

One of the largest prison escapes using a tunnel was in August of 2000, when eight female prisoners, one of them pregnant, dug their way out of the Women's Rehabilitation Center. All were later recaptured.

In another prison- related story, Sistema Penitenciario Director Donald Bravo said that the 24 prisoners injured in a brawl at La Joya have all been treated and released from area hospitals.

He said that the cause of the incident is still unknown, but it is believed to be gang-related. The fight broke out in a section where 271 prisoners are held, many of which are members of one of three rival gangs.