Internal Brigades of prisoners contribute to the maintenance of La Victoria

Santo Domingo.- The recent fire incident at La Victoria Deprivation of Liberty Center (CPL) shed light on the resilience and dedication of a hundred incarcerated men who played a crucial role in the center’s swift recovery.

These men, categorized as “finally convicted” individuals transitioning to the progressive regime trial period, demonstrated remarkable commitment in adherence to the penitentiary benefits outlined in Law 113-21 regulating the Dominican Penitentiary System.

Amidst the chaos, numerous individuals, in solidarity with the Dominican General Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services (DGSPC) and its leadership, flocked to La Victoria. Some merely sought to be part of the news, while others genuinely offered their support, sharing their opinions on various platforms. However, those within the center, particularly the Internal Brigades, couldn’t engage in such expressions. Instead, they witnessed a scene of desolation and chaos but wasted no time in springing into action. Led by Roberto Hernández Basilio, Director of Penitentiary and Correctional Services, Yeny Olga Hernández of the Medio Libre Directorate, and the then Director of La Victoria Penitentiary Center, María Amparo Cruz, along with departmental heads, they worked tirelessly in silence to clean the affected areas.

In the aftermath, the Internal Brigades continued their efforts, meticulously clearing debris and salvaging belongings from cells 1 to 8. Their relentless dedication eventually led to the center’s gradual recovery from the devastating ordeal. Witnessing their colleagues’ performance inspired many other prisoners to join the Internal Brigades, a group of inmates undergoing testing periods under the Medio Libre Directorate. Currently, the Directorate of Free Environment, a subset of DGSPC, comprises 1,017 individuals housed in various correctional facilities nationwide.

The Internal Brigades’ primary objective is to maintain the penitentiary centers’ infrastructure while promoting cleanliness within and outside the facilities. This initiative not only benefits the physical environment but also aids in the rehabilitation process, providing occupational therapy to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and aggression among inmates.

Upon completing their service in the Internal Brigades, prisoners may opt to join either the Community or Paid Brigades, offering collaborative work opportunities within government institutions or remunerated positions. Participation in these brigades enables inmates to obtain leave permits for family or work-related purposes.

However, eligibility for any brigade requires permanent sentencing, good conduct, approval from the Surveillance, Evaluation, and Sanction Commission, and the ability to perform assigned tasks.

The Directorate for the Free Environment oversees these programs, organizing and supervising educational, social, and labor initiatives for incarcerated individuals, all aimed at facilitating their reintegration into society during the trial period, as outlined in Article 63 of Law 113-21.