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Know One of the Most Peculiar and Dangerous Prisons in the World, Where Inmates Control Everything, from Cell Sales to Punishments
In the heart of La Paz, Bolivia’s administrative capital, lies San Pedro Prison, one of the most unusual and dangerous prisons in the world. Unlike conventional prisons, where security is maintained by guards and prison officers, in San Pedro, it is the inmates themselves who dictate the rules and organize the daily life of the place. The prison functions like a microcity, with neighborhoods, commerce, social inequality, and even schools, according to the video from the channel Global Knowledge.
The Origins of San Pedro Prison and Inmate Control
Built in 1895, San Pedro penitentiary was originally based on the panoptic model, a concept developed by philosopher Jeremy Bentham, which allowed for the surveillance of inmates from a central tower. However, over the years, this structure lost its function, and the inmates took control of the prison, especially after the 1980s, when Bolivia implemented a stringent anti-drug law, Law 1008, which led to many dangerous drug traffickers being imprisoned, including the infamous “King of Cocaine,” Rafael Suares Gomes.
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With the financial power and political connections of these new inmates, corruption spread throughout the prison. Guards began to withdraw, limiting themselves to monitoring only the external perimeter, while the inmates transformed San Pedro into an autonomous system.
Social Division and Internal Commerce in the Prison in Bolivia
Today, the prison in Bolivia houses over 3,600 inmates, although it was designed for only 300. The prison is divided into nine wings that function like neighborhoods, reflecting the social inequality also seen outside.
- The wealthiest inmates live in the “La Posta” wing, where luxurious cells can cost between 5,000 and 20,000 bolivianos (approximately R$ 3,000 to R$ 12,000).
- The poorest inmates are forced to live in degraded areas or rent beds in collective cells for around R$ 800 per month.
This “real estate market” of the prison is managed by the inmates themselves, who annually elect delegates and treasurers to manage each wing. These “leaders” charge entry fees and even guarantee the “safety” of new inmates, as long as they receive adequate payment. For those who cannot afford a cell, sleeping in hallways, under stairs, or even near the trash remains the only option.
Prison: Clothing Stores, Salons, Restaurants. A Community Apart!
Within the walls of San Pedro, life resembles that of a small urban neighborhood. Internal commerce includes clothing stores, hair salons, restaurants, and even pool tables. Furthermore, for many years, inmates’ relatives lived inside the prison, creating a complete community. In 2013, it is estimated that there were about 40 families living there. However, in 2019, Bolivia’s Public Defender succeeded in removing 197 children who still lived in the prison with their parents.
In a curious twist, San Pedro Prison has also become a tourist attraction. Since 1996, international tourists began paying to visit the prison, guided by a British inmate named Thomas McFadden, who organized tours of the different sections of the penitentiary. For years, the tour of San Pedro was a popular attraction, even recommended in the city’s travel guides. However, in 2009, after reports that some of the tourists’ money was being used to bribe guards, the visits were halted.
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