HomeNewsBriefDeadly Riot Illustrates Mexico's Prison Woes
BRIEF

Deadly Riot Illustrates Mexico's Prison Woes

MEXICO / 15 FEB 2016 BY DAVID GAGNE EN

The prison in northern Mexico where dozens died during a recent riot is a microcosm of all that is ailing Mexico's penitentiary system: corruption, overcrowding, deplorable living conditions and what is described as the criminal groups' "self-government" in the jails.

On February 14, state officials said the Topo Chico prison -- the scene of a brawl that left 49 people dead last week in the northern state of Nuevo León -- contained "luxury cells" replete with aquariums, air conditioners, portable saunas and a bar, reported AFP.

Authorities said the riot stemmed from a quarrel between the leaders of two rival factions of the Zetas criminal organization who were disputing control of the prison. 

Officials said police regained control of the prison and "put an end to the self-government that leaders of organized crime exerted with the complicity of some authorities." 

Authorities have arrested the warden and superintendent of the prison on drug trafficking charges, as well as for neglecting to uphold security protocols, according to the AFP. 

In contrast to the luxurious living quarters of some criminal leaders, the majority of the prisoners at Topo Chico are kept in cells that do not have light, water or ventilation, reported the BBC.

With more than 3,800 inmates, the prison is operating at 35 percent above maximum capacity, according to the BBC.

InSight Crime Analysis

Corruption, overcrowding, terrible living conditions, and criminal rule are some of the most serious issues afflicting Mexico's prisons. All of these factors coalesced at Topo Chico to turn the prison into what Mexican human rights organizations had previously described, Proceso writes, as a "ticking time bomb." 

Despite the recent police intervention at Topo Chico, it is unlikely the dire conditions within Mexico prisons will see a significant improvement. Mexican authorities have consistently failed to enact long-term prison reform, and only take immediate action when a bloody riot such as the one last week grabs the attention of the media and the public.

SEE ALSO: Coverage of Prisons

Even more troubling are the warning signs that authorities missed, either out of ignorance, corruption or willful indifference. According to Proceso, military intelligence sent former Nuevo León Governor Rodrigo Medina de la Cruz (2009-2015) a report describing how corrupt prison officials were enabling the Zetas to earn 15 million pesos per month (nearly $800,000 at current exchange rates) at Topo Chico prison via extortion and drug trafficking.

And yet, authorities clearly did not make a concerted effort to break the criminal group's control over the prison until after last week's riot. 

share icon icon icon

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

What are your thoughts? Click here to send InSight Crime your comments.

We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Check the Creative Commons website for more details of how to share our work, and please send us an email if you use an article.

Was this content helpful?

We want to sustain Latin America’s largest organized crime database, but in order to do so, we need resources.

DONATE

Related Content

MARIJUANA / 13 DEC 2022

The legalization of marijuana at the state level in the US has forced organized crime groups in Mexico to adapt…

CHAPITOS / 23 DEC 2022

The Chapitos are winning the internal war for the Sinaloa Cartel and doing it in a different way than their…

COCAINE / 25 APR 2022

Mexican authorities have arrested a leader of the initially Guerrero-based Los Rojos crime group in the neighboring state of Michoacán,…

About InSight Crime

THE ORGANIZATION

Venezuela Coverage Receives Great Reception

27 MAY 2023

Several of InSight Crime’s most recent articles about Venezuela have been well received by regional media. Our article on Venezuela’s colectivos expanding beyond their political role to control access to…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime's Chemical Precursor Report Continues

19 MAY 2023

For the second week in a row, our investigation into the flow of precursor chemicals for the manufacture of synthetic drugs in Mexico has been cited by multiple regional media…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Chemical Precursor Report Widely Cited

THE ORGANIZATION / 12 MAY 2023

We are proud to see that our recently published investigation into the supply chain of chemical precursors feeding Mexico’s synthetic drug production has been warmly received.

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime’s Paraguay Election Coverage Draws Attention 

5 MAY 2023

InSight Crime looked at the various anti-organized crime policies proposed by the candidates in Paraguay’s presidential election, which was won on April 30 by Santiago Peña. Our pre-election coverage was cited…

THE ORGANIZATION

InSight Crime Cited in OAS, CARICOM Reports

28 APR 2023

This week, InSight Crime’s work was cited nine times in a new report by the Organization of American States (OAS) titled “The Impact of Organized Crime on Women,…