El Salvador Passes Controversial Prison Reform

El Salvador's Congress approved a reform allowing minors convicted of organized crime to be imprisoned alongside adults in separate areas. The decision follows a crackdown on crime involving mass trials and the building of a mega prison, amid allegations of torture from rights groups.

In a significant legislative move, El Salvador's Congress on Wednesday endorsed a reform enabling minors convicted of crimes connected to organized crime to be detained within adult prisons, although in segregated sections.

This decision is part of the nation's larger initiative to curb crime, which has involved the implementation of mass trials and the construction of a mega prison facility. These actions have sparked concern from rights organizations, who allege the use of torture against prisoners, including minors, despite government denials of such practices occurring in its prisons.

The controversial measure aims to streamline the handling of organized crime cases while maintaining a degree of separation between adult and juvenile offenders.