Nine new penitentiary centers under construction across Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader led the third National Meeting in Support of Penitentiary Reform on Thursday, where officials reported that the Dominican Republic is building nine penitentiary centers simultaneously, with those in Higüey and Barahona completed.

Roberto Santana, director of the National Office of Support for Penitentiary Reform, said projects remain pending in San Juan, Hato Mayor and Neiba, while the Salcedo center is being repaired and authorities are seeking land for a facility in Independencia.

Abinader said the San Juan project requires structural reinforcement and a new bidding process after its cost exceeded the 25% limit allowed by law. He also said more than RD$2 billion has been invested in completing Las Parras, which still requires additional work.

Santana reported that the prison population has declined from 27,481 in 2020 to 25,494 in 2026, while public defenders secured the release of about 5,000 inmates last year.

The reform also includes measures against corruption, including the removal of 128 police officers from the penitentiary system, and expanded mental health services, with the first specialized center operating in Najayo.

As part of the planned closure of La Victoria, inmates will be transferred gradually. Its population has fallen from 7,600 in 2020 to about 1,900, with authorities aiming to bring it below 1,000 this year. The more than 200,000-square-meter site is planned for an Educational City with universities, government services, a theme park and a cable car terminal.

Officials also presented updated prison regulations and management guidelines, while the International Committee of the Red Cross selected the Dominican Republic to present a new guide for prison construction. Public Defender Rodolfo Valentín Santos, meanwhile, warned that overcrowding and deficiencies in food, health and infrastructure persist in some facilities.