Panama limits prison supply deliveries to once monthly

Family members visiting inmates in six Panamanian prisons will now be allowed to deliver essential supplies only once a month, according to a new procedure from the Ministry of Government. The directive applies to inmates in La Joyita, La Joya, La Nueva Joya, El Renacer, Tinajitas, and La Esmeralda correctional facilities.

The new protocol, detailed in Resolution N.° 122-R-119, centralizes the reception of these packages at the former Doña Cecilia Orillac de Chiari Women's Rehabilitation Center in Juan Díaz. This facility will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Families must report on their assigned date and time for each specific prison, following an official schedule.

All items must be placed in transparent bags clearly labeled with the inmate's full name, ID number, prison name, and cell block. Packages will undergo a thorough security screening before being transported under custody to the respective prisons. The Ministry has also established a specific list of permitted items, including toiletries, certain medications, and personal clothing, each with quantity and characteristic restrictions.

These stringent measures come in the wake of significant security breaches, including a large-scale escape from La Joyita prison and ongoing operations that continue to uncover prohibited items like cellphones within the facilities. Investigations into police agents are also underway.