Penal system of Panama

Article 27 of the

penal system.^[1]

The

Work is required of all prisoners, including those awaiting trial or awaiting sentencing. Labor is unremunerated for the majority of prisoners, most of whom are engaged in farming and animal husbandry in areas cleared of jungle growth. Some mechanics and other skilled craftsmen receive small wages for their labor.^[1]

Another major prison, the Model Jail (Cárcel Modelo) in

court docket, and there were complaints that rights to habeas corpus had been violated by holding some offenders incommunicado.^[1]

There is a jail in each provincial capital. Similar complaints of overcrowding and

human rights abuses have been reported from the outlying provinces.^[1]

In contrast to the conditions under which male prisoners serve sentences and await trial, women receive much better care. The Women's Rehabilitation Center (Centro Femenino de Rehabilitación) in Panama City has received praise. The center is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, but is operated by nuns who have established a reputation for discipline tempered by humaneness and decency. Few complaints are reported from prisoners at the women's center. When first arrested, however, women are sometimes held overnight or for several nights at the Model Jail where, even though segregated, they experience conditions that differ little from those described for men.[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Steve C. Ropp (December 1987). Sandra W. Meditz and Dennis M. Hanratty (ed.). Panama: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. The Penal System.

[cs-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Steve C. Ropp (December 1987). Sandra W. Meditz and Dennis M. Hanratty (ed.). Panama: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. The Penal System.

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