Ecuador’s prisoners are facing food shortages due to the closure of a company responsible for providing meals to over 11,000 inmates in 20 prisons. The government led by Daniel Noboa owes this company, Lafattoria SA, a debt of over 30 million dollars which also includes school meals for one and a half million children. Families of prisoners are growing increasingly worried as food shortages were first reported on April 26th, with the Service for Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI) initially denying any interruptions in service.
The mistreatment of prisoners has also been a major concern, with human rights organizations reporting numerous cases of abuse since the declaration of a state of internal commotion by Noboa. This allows military forces to enter prisons, leading to allegations that some prisoners have been subjected to torture and other forms of abuse. Families such as Araceli’s have expressed their concerns about the lack of food, medical care and alleged mistreatment of prisoners. Some prisons have allowed family members to bring food to inmates relying on donations from the community to supplement the shortages.
Legal action has been taken to address the lack of food in prisons with a judge ordering the Ministry of Finance to provide necessary funds to SNAI within 15 days. However, this situation has been further complicated by allegations of corruption involving Lafattoria SA which led to a standoff between the government and private company. As the government continues its investigation into these claims, families have taken it upon themselves to take their grievances directly onto the streets demanding solutions from the authorities.
The dire conditions inside prisons have left families feeling anxious and powerless with limited information about their loved ones’ well-being. Sandra whose son is imprisoned in Litoral Penitentiary worries about his health and safety especially after receiving distressing video showing him in state distress. The lack of transparency and communication from prison authorities only adds an extra layer of uncertainty faced by families who anxiously await a resolution to this crisis.
Overall it seems that Ecuador’s prison system is facing major challenges including hunger strikes, allegations
