Home


Ecuador’s Prisons: How Gangs Fueled a Security Crisis

Failed reforms, underinvestment, and rampant corruption turned Ecuador’s prisons into criminal incubators, where gangs grew into powerful criminal networks that spread across the country as murder rates soared. Watch our latest video, where we trace how a prison crisis became a national security crisis.


This is not another podcast about a kingpin.

The InSight Crime Podcast is back.
Because the real story is rarely about the person with the nickname. It’s about the people left to live with the consequences. The full season is now available.


Summer InSights 2026

Looking for new reading this summer?
All four chapters of our Summer InSights 2026 series are now available. Our editorial team has put together a special selection of investigations and analysis to help you dive deeper into the series.
Get this selection with a one-time donation of US$15 or more.
Content is available in English only.
Get the reading pack with a donation here.

Covering Organized Crime From the Field

InSight Crime goes into the field to understand first-hand the criminal dynamics at play across Latin America and the Caribbean. We speak to local sources, government officials, and even the criminals themselves to deliver in-depth investigations.

Verify your email

We'll send a verification code to .

Gift this article