New prison in Ecuador to feature inmate work zones, minister says

Ecuador's Interior Minister, John Reimberg, announced that a new prison, slated for completion in 19 months, will house 15,120 inmates and feature designated work areas for those incarcerated.

"We don't have to foot the bill for the lives of these criminals in prisons. They must work to generate what it costs us to keep them in prisons and a little more," Reimberg stated in a radio interview. He explained that the work undertaken by inmates will help cover the expenses associated with maintaining them.

This new prison is part of President Daniel Noboa's security strategy, drawing inspiration from the prison model implemented by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele. The concept aims to make inmates contribute financially to their upkeep, rather than solely being a cost to the state.

The announcement comes as Ecuador grapples with high levels of crime and overcrowding in its correctional facilities. The government has been seeking ways to manage the prison population and reduce the burden on taxpayers. The new facility's work program is intended to provide inmates with a structured activity while also generating revenue to offset operational costs.