Salvadorian Penitentiary System in Crisis
Kidnappings planned from prison and the confiscation of cell phones from inmates show the crisis of El Salvador's penitentiary system, according to the coordinator of the Human Rights Commission, Miguel Montenegro.

"The scenario we have in the country's prisons is complicated and shows the difficulties faced by an obsolete regime that does not favor social re-adaptation," said the activist.

More than 340 cell phones were confiscated in Salvadorian jails in 2006, according to authorities. The inmates use the phones for extortion from jail, where there are 15,281 inmates although the total capacity is 7,000 prisoners.

Penitentiary Direction Spokesman Alberto Uribe pointed out that, 24 cell phones, two grenades, 19 machetes and a .45 gun with magazines were found during an inspection of the San Francisco Gotera prison in El Salvador.

Penitentiary Director Gilbert Caceres told a news conference that four women were arrested while trying to introduce cell phones, chips and drugs into several prisons.

Another 12 cell phones, five chips, four cell phone chargers and 41 joints of marihuana were confiscated during a surprise search in several prisons, said Caceres, adding that a guard was arrested for smuggling five cell phones into the prison in Ciudad Barrios, in eastern El Salvador.