Argentina to transfer Villa Devoto prisoners to new Marcos Paz jail in September

Argentina is set to begin a significant prison transfer in early September, moving inmates from the aging Villa Devoto jail in Buenos Aires to a new, modern facility in Marcos Paz. This move aims to alleviate severe overcrowding in the city's holding cells and police stations.

The new Marcos Paz prison is designed to accommodate 2,200 inmates. Of these, 1,500 will be transferred from Villa Devoto, while the remaining 700 spots will be filled by prisoners currently held in city jails and police lockups. This relocation is expected to significantly ease the strain on these urban detention centers, which currently hold over 2,000 individuals who, by jurisdiction, should be in federal prisons.

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The agreement includes the possibility of expanding federal penitentiary capacity by installing modular spaces within the Federal Penitentiary Complex IV and Unit 19 in Ezeiza, intended for the permanent housing of up to 400 detainees.

The project, initially agreed upon by national and city governments in 2018, faced delays. The new prison is part of a broader plan to establish a city-run penitentiary system, complementing the national system. Once Villa Devoto is emptied of its federal inmates, the prime real estate it occupies will be redeveloped. Plans for the site include public green spaces and a memorial dedicated to the 65 inmates who died in a 1978 fire in Pabellón N° 7, a tragic event in the prison's history.

In addition to the Marcos Paz transfer, Buenos Aires is also preparing to open its own General Alcaldía (holding facility) in January, which will house individuals accused of crimes within the city's jurisdiction. This initiative is part of the city's effort to create its own penitentiary service, aiming for a more modern and efficient system for managing its incarcerated population.

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The creation of the City Penitentiary Service complements Law 24.660, which regulates the execution of sentences. It was a turning point in the institutional development of the City, which from now on will have its own modern, effective prison system designed by specialists.