Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Peru
Delegate Name: Maddy Langlois
Human Rights Council (HRC)
Treatment of Prisoners
Republic of Peru
Maddy Langlois
Forest Hills Northern
Harsh and unfair treatment of prisoners is an overwhelming issue in Peru. Overcrowding, poor sanitary conditions, lack of medical treatment, and drug addiction are all prevalent in Peru’s prison systems. According to the National Library of Medicine fewer than 60% of prisoners diagnosed with depression, anxiety, chronic lung disease, and arterial hypertension were diagnosed with these conditions prior to being in prison.
To try to limit overcrowding there was a pardoning of prisoners as well as sentence commutations. According to Harvard this was a scandalous process which allegedly preferred drug traffickers being released. The lack of a garbage system, which once generated over 25 tons weekly, caused an outbreak in tuberculosis. Peru’s prisons don’t have funds to provide for inmates therefore they rely on resources from outside the prisons such as families. Not to mention Peru’s prison population increased 12% according to the National Library of Medicine. To try to solve some issues within Peru’s prison systems, IDB has approved a $177 Million loan to strengthen Peru’s prison system. This loan helps with many things, one of which is reducing the reincarceration rate from 24% to 21% by 2030. Even with this in place Peru has tightened disciplinary actions through the Supreme Decree No. 019-2025-JUS. This will make their schedules more refined and contained.
Peru stands to work with any countries to find solutions for the treatment of prisoners. We believe that building and expanding infrastructure will help with relieving overcrowding, and help with medical issues. Implementing treatment programs will support those previously incarcerated with not being reincarcerated. Modernizing the prison system will protect vulnerable communities, additionally, educating and training prison guards will ensure a safer environment for all. In conclusion Peru strongly wants to find solutions to the major issues in the current treatment of prisoners and is willing to work for solutions.
Sources:
https://revista.drclas.harvard.edu/inside-perus-lurigancho-prison/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7307651/
https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-approves-177-million-loan-strengthen-perus-prison-system
https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-perus-government-tightens-control-measures-in-prisons-for-highrisk-inmates-1050080.aspx
