Panama reactivates island jail after unprecedented prisoner escape, sparking controversy

Panama has reactivated a controversial island penitentiary on Isla Coiba, transferring 29 high-risk inmates following the unprecedented escape of 195 prisoners from a facility near the capital. The move has ignited public debate and raised concerns among environmental groups.

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The possibility of transforming Isla Coiba into a Permanent Penitentiary Center with new buildings and security facilities (...) is not viable for legal, environmental, and protection reasons of the World Heritage.

The reactivated center is located at a National Aeronaval Service (Senan) station on Isla Coiba, the largest island in Panama and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The government stated the transfer aims to "extremate control over the leaders of criminal structures, reducing their capacity for criminal incidence and articulation." The facility is described as having highly trained forces and advanced equipment for combating illicit activities.

However, the decision has drawn criticism. The Environment Ministry (MiAmbiente) had previously alerted the Ministry of Government in a letter dated June 10 that transforming Isla Coiba into a permanent penitentiary with new structures would be "unviable for legal, environmental, and protection reasons" concerning the World Heritage site. The ministry had expressed "total opposition to the possible temporary reopening of the penitentiary center on Isla Coiba," deeming it "illegal, inappropriate, and contrary to the interests of the Panamanian State."

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No new building construction has been carried out; nor have any reforms been made that impact the protected area; and no activity is carried out or will be carried out outside the building occupied by the Aeronaval.

In response to the controversy, MiAmbiente clarified that the transfer of inmates on June 13 did not involve new construction or renovations impacting the protected area. Activities are confined to the existing Aeronaval building. The ministry pledged to conduct regular inspections to ensure the National Park Coiba remains unaffected. The colonial-era prison on Isla Coiba, established in 1920, was officially closed in 2004. The reactivation comes amid a broader crisis in Panama's prison system, highlighted by the recent mass escape.

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The transfer of inmates to the Isla Coiba prison is part of a plan of action to extremate control over the leaders of criminal structures, reducing their capacity for criminal incidence and articulation.