President Abinader swears in committees to advance penitentiary reform

Santo Domingo.- On Tuesday, President Luis Abinader formally swore in the committees supporting the country’s penitentiary reform, underscoring that the reform is crucial to improving citizen security, a major concern in the Dominican Republic. During the ceremony, the President expressed his gratitude for the support from the government and the public, emphasizing that the reform efforts will produce tangible results in enhancing safety across the nation.

The event also marked the presentation of the 2024-2027 penitentiary reform strategy, a 570-page document containing a comprehensive diagnostic and detailed proposals for transforming the penitentiary system. The strategy aims to reduce violence, enhance prevention and deterrence measures, and improve the reintegration of prisoners. Key to the plan is the construction of new prisons, which are already included in the national budget for 2025 and the multiannual budget through 2028.

The newly sworn-in committees include those focused on prison infrastructure, health and social work, free environment programs, communications, education, and prisoner production. Provincial committees from regions across the country, including Higüey, Bonao, Guerra, and others, were also appointed. The event was attended by key government officials, including Ministers José Ignacio Paliza, Andrés Bautista, and Carlos Bonilla, as well as ONAPREP members and the President of the Senate, Ricardo de los Santos.