Bank embezzler has a “suite” in prison, wants house arrest

Santo Domingo. – Despite Justice minister Francisco Dominguez’s announcement with great fanfare of ridding Najayo prison of privileges for some inmates, the practice continues.

An December 28 inspection report submitted to the San Cristobal Sentencing Court Judge on the cell that holds Pedro Castillo, sentenced to 10 years in prison for embezzlement in the Progreso bank, says it has a living room, a bedroom and a bathroom.

The report to judge Bayoán Rodriguez Portalatín states In the living room has a sofa, three tables, a counter with a sink, cupboards above and below, a refrigerator with freezer, a microwave, a laptop computer, an air conditioner, dehumidifier, four plastic chairs, a radio , a nebulizer, an inverter, a water cooler, two lamps, Internet and telephone.

The bedroom has a full bed, an air conditioner, two bedside tables, a lamp, a nebulizer, an air ionizer, a plasma TV, a DVD player and furniture with drawers. The bathroom consists of a bathtub, a toilet and an air ionizer.

Despite Dominguez’s order issued September 28 to Prisons director Tomas Holguin de la Paz to put a halt to the privileges, it has yet to be complied with.

He said the most embarrassing thing about prison privileges is that they benefit those serving time for committing felonies and stealing fortunes.

Castillo has been out of the pen 83 times

Castillo had requested house arrest during six months, arguing health respiratory issues and mildew in his cell, hypertension and asthma.

During the inspection of his cell Castillo complained that it’s not suitable for his health because when it rains he counted 152 leaks in the bathroom.