The World's Highest Security Prison: CECOT (The most evil are kept here)

Summary

This documentary provides an inside look into El Salvador's largest and most secure prison, home to some of the world's most dangerous criminals, including members of notorious gangs like MS13. The prison, designed to prevent any escape, holds thousands of inmates in extreme conditions. Interviews with gang leaders reveal the brutal reality of life behind bars, with some reflecting on their past crimes and lost futures. The documentary explores the government's controversial crackdown on gang violence, which has drastically reduced crime rates but also led to the wrongful imprisonment of some innocents.

Takeaways

• 😀 El Salvador's largest prison, SEOT, has a capacity of 40,000 prisoners, housing some of the most dangerous criminals in the world.
• 😀 The prison was built to contain the highest-profile criminals, including gang members from notorious organizations like MS13.
• 😀 The government initiated a severe crackdown on gangs starting in March 2022, resulting in the arrest of over 70,000 individuals.
• 😀 The prison is designed with extensive security measures, including high walls, razor wire, and 19 watchtowers, ensuring escape is impossible.
• 😀 Inmates are subjected to rigorous checks, including X-ray scans and body searches, to prevent the smuggling of contraband.
• 😀 Prisoners lose all contact with their families, and no visits are allowed, contributing to the isolation and harshness of their existence.
• 😀 The prison’s design and tight security aim to suppress the power and influence of gangs within its walls, preventing them from coordinating with the outside world.
• 😀 Inmates live in extremely cramped conditions, with up to 150 prisoners sharing a cell, each having less than half a square meter of personal space.
• 😀 The food provided to inmates is basic and lacks nutrition, consisting mostly of rice, pasta, and beans with no meat or chicken.
• 😀 Some prisoners, like 'Psycho', reflect on their past lives of violence and regret their decisions, yet acknowledge the harsh realities of their incarceration.
• 😀 El Salvador's prison system and the government's crackdown have drastically reduced crime rates, making the country one of the safest in the world, despite the controversial methods used.

Q & A

What is the capacity of the Mega Prison mentioned in the documentary?

The Mega Prison has a capacity of 40,000 prisoners, making it the largest and strictest prison in the world.

Why was this massive prison built in El Salvador?

The prison was constructed to imprison high-profile criminals, specifically to combat the gang violence that once dominated the country.

How many people were arrested in the crackdown starting in March 2022?

Over 70,000 individuals, or about 2% of the country's adult population, were arrested in just 16 months.

What security measures are in place to prevent escapes from the prison?

The prison is surrounded by two separate 3-meter-high walls with razor wire, and a 9-meter-high outer wall with an electric fence. Additionally, there are 19 watchtowers and jammers to block communication signals within a 2 km radius.

How do the guards ensure the security of the inmates inside the prison?

Guards wear masks to protect their identities, and extensive security measures, such as a rotating watch schedule, cameras, and alarms, are in place to monitor and control the inmates.

What happens to the inmates' families after they are incarcerated?

Inmates lose all contact with their families, as visits are strictly forbidden. Some innocent people were also mistakenly imprisoned, and their families may not know their whereabouts or even if they are alive.

What is the living condition like for the inmates in this prison?

Inmates live in overcrowded conditions, with only 0.5 square meters of personal space each. They sleep on metal bunks without pillows or mattresses and share basic amenities such as toilets and water supplies.

What type of diet do the inmates receive in this prison?

Inmates receive three meals a day: breakfast of rice and beans, lunch of rice and pasta, and dinner, which is similar to lunch. The diet lacks protein, and inmates must eat with their hands.

What is the purpose of the isolation cells in the prison?

Isolation cells are used to punish inmates who break the rules. Inmates in these cells are cut off from the outside world, left alone with only their thoughts, and have minimal access to food and water.

How did the prison's methods affect crime rates in El Salvador?

The methods used in the prison contributed to a dramatic drop in crime, with the murder rate dropping from 104 per 100,000 people to 2.4 per 100,000 people by 2023, making El Salvador one of the safest countries in the world.