The Colombian government has uncovered numerous costly flaws in several high profile new prisons built during the previous Uribe administration, La W Radio reported Wednesday.
The government estimates that the repairs necessary to fix the electronic security systems and perimeter security could cost over $13.5 million (COP25 billion).
Several prisons have areas known as “dead spots,” on behalf of the faulty design and operation of the electronic security. Such errors helped six inmates to capitalize on the visibility problems caused by defunct video cameras and escape from Medellin’s Pedregal prison in February of this year.
At least nine prisons require security adjustments, including La Picota in Bogota, which houses many high-profile detainees.
One proposed new prison in Cartagena has been held up, meanwhile, after it became apparent that planners had not taken into account the land use laws in the historic city.
There have been other prison-related complaints regarding health care to inmates and poor water supplies.
A recent report by an international group of lawyers noted how their team were not allowed entrance to the majority of prisons that they wished to assess for prison conditions.
