The maximum security prison title was in doubt after two cell phones were located during a requirement in the newly opened prison renewal 1located in Escuintla, where a prison guard indicated to collaborate with the leader of a criminal structure of extortionists was arrested.
The Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, said that, given that situation, Analyze whether the director of that prison center will be sanctioned or dismissed and if there will be guards’ rotation.
Jiménez also indicated that they will reinforce the controls and filters for the personnel assigned to the surveillance of that prison. In addition, they analyze what are the weak points in the security of the center, although he said that one of them could be during the entry of visits, so they also consider other measures to implement.
The official said that it is the first time that telephones are found in said prison since November 2024, when it was inaugurated; Since then, says Government, routine requisitions have been carried out.
As a result of operation carried out in that center were captured 16 people in different places, and Approximately Q100 thousand and two firearms were located during the proceedings in homes. The detainees are a penitentiary guard and an agent of the Division Specialized in Criminal Investigation (DEIC).
Said Security Guard, according to the MP, coordinated with the deprived of liberty Winder Joel Calderón, who is detained in that prison center, so that a woman charged extortion outside the prison, under death threats to the victims.
Joel Calderón, according to the researchers, would also have received money in his bank account and in cash to be delivered to those deprived of liberty who were in said detention center, charging Q1 thousand for each coordination.
Calderón, 24, aka El Carita, pointed out to be the leader of the Los Sureños band, was arrested in March 2021 in Escuintla, for the crime of extortion, and from the Canada prison, located in that department, coordinated extortion, kidnappings and murders. He was subsequently transferred to renewal 1.
No filters
The former director of Presidios, Eddy Morales, states that the implementation of technology in prisons “is in vain” if sufficient filters are not met to select the penitentiary guards, especially if they will be assigned to a prison where there are inmates with a highly dangerous profile.
Morales argues that, in the case of renewal 1, Procedures such as polygraph tests and background review were not metand as a consequence, there are vulnerable guards to be bribed by inmates.
“This situation means that The guards have not been filtered About his tendencies, his deviations, “he said.
The former official considers it necessary to investigate all personnel in that prison center.
“If it happened once, it will happen againthat is one of the big problems. Everyone must go through the lies detector or a polygraphy exam, “he said.
He added that the director of that prison must also be sanctioned, since, in general, who occupies that position is aware of the movements that make prisoners for their benefits and to commit crimes.
Opening
On November 5, 2024, the authorities of the Ministry of the Interior (Mingob) delivered official prison renewal 1 and promised to reduce the criminal acts committed by the inmates. This happened after July 2 of the same year the facilities that were previously known as the infiernius, supposedly defined as maximum security were defected. However, the authorities recognized that they were controlled by the inmates, who from there coordinated extortion and homicides. On that occasion, sharp and fire, cell phones, alcoholic beverages and Q180 thousand in cash were located.
The construction of that prison had a cost of Q3 million in infrastructure, more Q1 million 300 thousand in furniture and equipment, including a closed circuit system for surveillance and an X -ray system to prevent the entry of illicit.
The building also has videoconferencing rooms for judicial procedures, in order to avoid transfer transfers to the courts.
The authorities assured that in the bedrooms and other areas of this prison there are no foci or outlets; In addition, the floors are designed not to allow the construction of coves and the walls are sealed. The prison has capacity for 252 inmates and has 120 guards.