Barbadillo Prison Explained

Prison Name:Barbadillo Prison
City:Lima
Country:Peru
Population:2
Population As Of:2024
Capacity:2
Status:Active

Barbadillo Prison is a prison facility located in Lima, Peru administered by the National Penitentiary Institute. Known as the "presidential prison" for being the place of detention of the former presidents, it has hosted former presidents Alberto Fujimori and Ollanta Humala. Currently imprisoned at the facility are former presidents Alejandro Toledo and Pedro Castillo.[1] [2]

History

The prison was opened after Alberto Fujimori's extradition from Chile to Peru. It was originally conceived as a temporary space whilst an establishment would be built for him; however, it was decided that he would remain on site during the government of Alan García. Alberto Fujimori remained there, originally to face trial and then to serve his sentence. In 2019 it was determined that Fujimori would remain in Barbadillo prison after Peruvian Supreme Court annulled a pardon granted to him on 3 October, 2018.[3]

Location

The prison is located on the grounds of a police academy for the Directorate of Special Operations (Diroes), in Ate district.[4]

Features

According to the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE), Fujimori's former cell was equipped with a bedroom, bathroom, study and access to a patio where he tended a garden.[5]

Alberto Fujimori's cell is about 800 square metres. The cell has a 15 square metre bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. It also has a room that functions as a visiting room and a 20 square metre dining room. The same dimensions apply to the bedroom of Pedro Castillo that has access to a garden. In 2023, the signing of an inter-agency cooperation agreement was announced, in order to have a courtroom and video-conference for the conduct of judicial proceedings to the former presidents.[6]

The prison officially has a capacity of two, however it can be adapted to fit three.

Prisoners

The prison currently hosts former presidents Alejandro Toledo[7] and Pedro Castillo.[8] [9] It had previously hosted former Presidents Alberto Fujimori from 10 December 2007, and Ollanta Humala from 2017 to 2018.[10] Until the end of 2022 it was only occupied by Alberto Fujimori.[11] Fujimori was released in December 2023,[12] bringing the total of prisoners at the facility back down to two.

Notes and References

  1. News: 2023-02-24 . Peru Is Running Out of Space to Keep its Jailed Ex-Presidents . 2024-08-15 . Bloomberg.com . en.
  2. Web site: Prosecutors in Peru seek 34-year sentence for ex-President Castillo . 2024-08-15 . Al Jazeera . en.
  3. Web site: Rochabrun . Marcelo . 2019-02-13 . Peru Supreme Court keeps Fujimori in jail . 2024-08-15 . Newcastle Herald . en-AU.
  4. Web site: Otis . John . 9 July 2023 . All the prison's presidents: Peru's special jail for ex-leaders is all full up . 15 August 2024 . National Public Radio.
  5. News: Aquino . Marco . 2022-12-08 . Peru's Castillo detained in same jail as ex-leader Fujimori, source says . 2022-12-10 . Reuters . en.
  6. Web site: PERÚ . Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA . 2023-10-17 . Penal de Barbadillo contará con sala de audiencias para procesos a expresidentes . 2024-08-15 . andina.pe . es.
  7. News: 23 April 2023 . Alejandro Toledo ya se encuentra en Perú: expresidente será entregado a las autoridades del país . Alejandro Toledo is already in Peru: Former President will be handed to the country's authorities . 23 April 2023 . . es.
  8. Web site: Quesada . Juan Diego . 2022-12-09 . Inside the coup in Peru: 'President, what have you done?' . 2022-12-10 . EL PAÍS English Edition . en-us.
  9. News: Associated Press (AP) . 24 April 2023 . Perú: Alejandro Toledo ya comparte la misma prisión que Alberto Fujimori y Pedro Castillo . Peru: Alejandro Toledo already shares the same prison with Alberto Fujimori and Pedro Castillo . 15 May 2023 . Clarín . es.
  10. Web site: PERÚ . Empresa Peruana de Servicios Editoriales S. A. EDITORA . 2023-05-06 . Peru: Four former presidents have been jailed at Barbadillo Prison . 2024-08-15 . andina.pe . es.
  11. Web site: Daniels . Joe . 7 December 2023 . Peru's ex-president Alberto Fujimori released from prison . 2024-08-15 . www.ft.com.
  12. News: Collyns . Dan . 2023-12-07 . Alberto Fujimori, Peru's divisive former president, released from jail . 2024-09-01 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.