New style prisons

[NewsWhore]

The new style system of prisons currently caters for some 2,000 inmates across the country. There has been some resistance to the new programs, aimed at rehabilitating the 'inmates' (no longer called 'prisoners') through education programs. Even some of the 'inmates' themselves have resisted being transferred to the new locales. This resistance is because the Dominican Republic's 28 traditional jails still unofficially allow the old system of tiny markets, gambling, stores, and other types of activities. According to information from the National Penitentiary Schools (ENAP), in the ten prisons that do have the new model in place, the interns are under supervision from 6 in the morning until 10 at night. Throughout the day all activity is carefully programmed and supervised. The prisoners are initially put through a brief training process to become 'inmates' and each case is evaluated before transferal. At each new prison, the staff is also trained in their new jobs. Hard case 'inmates' can be placed in 'reflection cells' - isolation, more or less - since corporal punishment is not allowed. New prison guards must be high school graduates at least, and continuation of their education is a must.

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