Around 900 relatives deliver supplies for La Nueva Joya inmates under new procedure

More than 900 relatives went to Panama City’s former Cecilia Orillac de Chiari Women’s Rehabilitation Center to deliver supplies to family members held at La Nueva Joya prison.

The Ministry of Government introduced the new procedure for metropolitan prisons. The first reception period will continue until Thursday, when the process for La Nueva Joya is scheduled to conclude.

Edilberto Culiolis, the ministry’s coordinator of plans and projects, acknowledged that the system represented a change for families. “I know it is a new process and change is difficult, but we are doing our best. We have improved thanks to what you have told us,” he said.

Some relatives described the new arrangement as more convenient, citing its location, service and speed compared with delivering supplies directly to the prison. Officials also explained which articles can enter the facilities. María Claudia García, a ministry lawyer, said families were generally following the rules, although razors continued to be brought in despite being prohibited.

Ministry figures showed that relatives of 966 of the 1,313 inmates listed in its database were expected to attend, representing 74% participation. Officials received 966 packages during the day and dispatched 722 of them the same day, ahead of the initial delivery estimate of up to 24 hours.

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I know it is a new process and change is difficult, but we are doing our best. We have improved thanks to what you have told us.