(Public Domain Image, "Venezuela Police-Inmates," courtsey of Flickr) [1]
Lack of Provisions
As discussed on the income distribution page, lack of food is an ongoing problem across the country of Venezuela, but is even more of an issue in Venezuelan prisons. In some penitentiaries, prisoners only receive one meal per day and many allegations from family members suggest that the food they are given, is spoiled. [2] A daily ration would normally consist of a piece of bread or a helping of rice. Though it is not technically allowed, family members often bring in food for their loved ones and bribe prison guards to let them leave it with them. The same goes for water. Since water is scantily allowed, family members bring in what water they can. Some prisoners say that, though not fantastic, they receive more food inside prison than they would if they were on the outside. This keeps some wanting to stay in prison systems even if they had the chance to get out. [3]
Health and Disease
In connection to the lack of proper food and water sources, the health of Venezuelan prisoners is also lacking. High occupancy rates help contribute to the spread of diseases such as scabies and lice. [1] Wounds from abuse and torture often go untreated and cause many prisoners to die before their sentence has been served. At the General Penitentiary of Venezuela, it was reported by family members that their loved ones had contracted Tuberculosis while serving their time. Over 1,700 other prisoners at this facility also had a chance of contracting this infection during the outbreak. [1] With the government in a state of peril, providing medical services to prisoners is not a main priority and there is no foreseeable help to come.
Sources
1. Panorama, Global. “Venezuela Police-Inmates.” Flickr, Yahoo!, 7 Dec. 2014, www.flickr.com/photos/121483302@N02/15776928959.
2. “Prisons in Venezuela.” Prison Insider, Dec. 2015, www.prison-insider.com/countryprofile/prisonsinvzla?s=le-systeme-penitentiaire#le-systeme-penitentiaire.
3. Mitchell, Jason. “In Chaotic Venezuela, Life Is Better in Prison.” The Spectator, The Spectator, 31 Jan. 2018, www.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/in-chaotic-venezuela-life-is-better-in-prison/.
2. “Prisons in Venezuela.” Prison Insider, Dec. 2015, www.prison-insider.com/countryprofile/prisonsinvzla?s=le-systeme-penitentiaire#le-systeme-penitentiaire.
3. Mitchell, Jason. “In Chaotic Venezuela, Life Is Better in Prison.” The Spectator, The Spectator, 31 Jan. 2018, www.spectator.co.uk/2018/02/in-chaotic-venezuela-life-is-better-in-prison/.