Community leaders question Barahona prison construction

The government's announcement of a new correctional facility in Barahona has sparked division among community leaders and authorities in the Canoa municipal district. The Ministry of Housing, Habitat, and Buildings (Mivhed) revealed the project on July 10, intending to replace the outdated public jail with a modern facility.

Located on land between the Canoa and Bombita communities, the new Center for Correction and Rehabilitation (CCR) Barahona is projected to cost 1 billion pesos. It will span 68,000 square meters, with 23,718.35 square meters of infrastructure designed to accommodate around 800 inmates. The facility's design includes extensive areas for security, administration, inmate housing (for medium and maximum security, VTP, and special modules), educational and recreational spaces like classrooms, a library, workshops, a farm area, and sports courts.

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Why does Canoa have so much priority for this project to be carried out?

However, opposition has emerged within Canoa. Community leader Eimel Antonio Reyes de León, known as El Cívico, argues that the project violates municipal law by not securing the local council's approval and claims insufficient environmental and social impact assessments were conducted. He questioned the project's priority for Canoa, a community he feels lacks essential infrastructure like a park, stadium, and clinic. Reyes de León proposed the land be used for a much-needed technological training center, suggesting an approved ITLA for the area lacks adequate space.

Conversely, José Pérez, the director of the Canoa Municipal Board, stated that over 80% of the community supports the construction, viewing it as a beneficial development. Reyes de León, representing the social movement Canoa Despierta, countered that approximately 90% of Canoa residents oppose the prison, with the remaining 10% allegedly being state employees. He emphasized the community's history of marginalization and called for their other needs to be addressed before proceeding with the penitentiary.

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I, as a citizen, not as mayor, support this work 100% that the Government is going to build.