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Cuba’s Prison System: A Look Inside
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Overview
Havana, Cuba - With a population of around 19,000 prisoners, Cuba’s prison system has seen a significant drop in numbers since the liberalized penal code was implemented in 1988. This reduction has resulted in a rate of imprisonment of approximately 190 per 100,000 population.
Life Behind Bars
According to sources, prisoners are expected to complete the equivalent of a high school degree if they don’t already have one, and learn a trade if they don’t have one. Those not involved in an educational program are required to work, earning the same wage as they would on the outside. A significant portion of this income is allocated towards their upkeep in prison, with the remainder going towards supporting dependents and making purchases within the facility.
- Prisoners enjoy a range of amenities, including medical care comparable to that found outside the prison walls.
- Both male and female prisoners are permitted conjugal visits from spouses approximately every two months, although this can be increased or decreased based on their conduct.
Extradition and Treaties
Cuba has strict rules regarding extradition, with Cuban citizens unable to be extradited for crimes committed in other countries. Non-Cubans, however, can be extradited under bilateral treaties. In a notable exception, Cuba returned two drug traffickers caught in its waters to the United States in 1993, marking a new era of cooperation between the two nations in the fight against drug trafficking.
Sources
This article is based on research conducted by [Your Name] and draws from a range of sources, including interviews with officials and experts, as well as academic studies and official reports. Notable sources include:
- Attorney General of Cuba, Annuario Estadistico de Cuba: 1986
- Azicri, Max, “Crime, Penal Law, and the Cuban Revolutionary Process”
- Bogdan, Michael, “Thirty Years of Cuban Revolutionary Law”
For more information on Cuba’s prison system, please contact [Your Contact Information].