Not Enough Guards for Prisoners

Government minister Roxana Mendez says the Panamanian penitentiary system is short 700 guards.

In an effort to address this issue, the government is recruiting and training 150 guards and has approved a $100 a month pay raise for prison custodians.

Mendez said that the shortage of guards is the reason inmate hearings and medical appointments are constantly suspended.

See Panama’s Prison Statistics.

Prison Guard / PHOTO Bill Steber (click image for gallery)