Colombia Prisons Overcrowded: Less Than 60% of Inmates Have Own Bed, Ombudsman Reports

Colombia's prison system is facing a severe crisis, with a new report from the Ombudsman's Office revealing dire living conditions for a significant portion of the incarcerated population. The findings indicate that a staggering number of inmates lack basic necessities, most notably a proper sleeping space. With only 58.6% of individuals in inspected prisons having their own bed, many are forced to endure the indignity of sleeping on floors, in hallways, or on improvised structures.

This lack of basic accommodation is just one symptom of deeper, systemic failures within the penitentiary system. The Ombudsman's report, based on inspections of 20 national prisons and 55 temporary detention centers, points to persistent structural flaws. These include a deficit in bunks, insufficient sanitary units, and a lack of adequate spaces for intimate visits, further compounding the dehumanizing conditions.

The issues extend beyond physical infrastructure. The report details recurrent barriers in healthcare access, characterized by delays in procedures, difficulties in obtaining specialized appointments, and problems with medication supply in both male and female facilities. Furthermore, temporary detention centers, designed for short stays, are holding individuals for extended periods, with 82.5% exceeding the permitted duration and 15% remaining for over a year.

The Ombudsman's Office has urgently called upon the government to address these critical shortcomings. Recommendations include prioritizing the "humanization of punishment," strengthening prison infrastructure, ensuring adequate resources for health and nutrition, and modernizing the information systems of the carceral system. The report serves as a stark warning about the urgent need for reform to uphold the fundamental rights of those deprived of liberty.