Dominican Republic reappointed as RAP Secretary at regional meeting on prison reform

The Dominican Republic has once again been chosen to serve as the pro tempore secretary of the Network of Penitentiary Academies (RAP), following the annual meeting held in Chile from July 9 to 11. This event, hosted at the Chilean Gendarmerie School and supported by the EU-Latin America cooperation initiative El PAcCTO 2.0, focused on strengthening efforts to combat corruption in prison systems across the region.

Gladys Esther Sánchez Richiez, director general of the Specialized Higher Institute of Penitentiary and Correctional Studies (ISEEPENC), emphasized the importance of the event in fostering collaboration and advancing the professionalization of correctional systems. Discussions also explored how penitentiary academies can help detect and prevent the infiltration of organized crime in prisons.

High-level attendees included Chile’s Minister of Justice Jaime Gajardo, the EU’s Chargé d’Affaires in Chile María Mercedes Rodríguez Sarro, and international experts such as Italian prosecutor Roberto Tartaglia. The agenda featured bilateral meetings, strategy sessions, and concluded with a visit to Santiago’s Women’s Penitentiary. RAP currently includes representatives from 20 countries across Latin America and Europe.