“No More Leniency”: Laura Fernández's Decree Eliminates Prison Benefits in Costa Rica

In a decisive move signaling a hardline approach to crime, Costa Rican President Laura Fernández has enacted a new regulation by decree that abolishes various "prison benefits" previously used to shorten inmates' sentences. This measure ensures that a full calendar year in prison will now consist of 360 days, effectively ending any judicial interpretation that allowed for reduced jail time. President Fernández declared, "With this, there will be no doubt that the jail year is 360 natural days, no more leniency that the jail year is eight months."

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With this, there will be no doubt that the jail year is 360 natural days, no more leniency that the jail year is eight months.

This policy shift aligns with Fernández's campaign promises to combat organized crime and drug trafficking with a firm hand. "We warned you, we do not want organized crime or drug trafficking in Costa Rica. Therefore, from this moment on, the jail year will be 360 natural days," she stated. The new administration, which took office today, aims to project an image of strength and zero tolerance towards criminal elements that threaten public safety and security.

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With this new regulation, judges will not have room to interpret the sentence as fewer days per year for those who take away our peace and steal our security.

The president further outlined ambitious plans, including the construction of a "mega jail" designed to house 5,000 inmates, inspired by El Salvador's controversial model under Nayib Bukele. Additionally, a C5 security control and command center is slated for establishment to bolster efforts against organized crime. These initiatives, coupled with a legislative agenda focused on government consolidation and economic development projects, indicate a significant shift in Costa Rica's governance and security strategy under Fernández's leadership. With a simple majority in Congress, Fernández appears poised to implement her agenda, though constitutional reforms will require broader consensus.

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We warned you, we do not want organized crime or drug trafficking in Costa Rica. Therefore, from this moment on, the jail year will be 360 natural days.