Ecuador’s prisoners are facing a double whammy as both hunger and mistreatment have become major concerns. The company responsible for feeding 11,000 inmates in 20 prisons has ceased operations due to a 30 million dollar debt owed by the government led by Daniel Noboa. This debt also includes school meals for one and a half million children.
The first reports of food shortages in prisons emerged on April 26, with the Service for Persons Deprived of Liberty, SNAI, initially denying any interruptions in service. However, concerns have continued to grow as families of prisoners gather outside penitentiaries, fearing for their loved ones’ lives. The mistreatment of inmates 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, allowing military forces to enter prisons.
Legal action has been taken to address the lack of food in prisons, with a judge ordering the Ministry of Finance to provide the necessary funds to the SNAI to ensure food supply within 15 days. The situation has been further complicated by allegations of corruption involving the food supplier to the prisons, Lafattoria SA, leading to a standoff between the government and the private company. As the government continues to investigate these claims, families of prisoners have taken to the streets to demand a solution to the food crisis.
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 a distressing video showing him in a state of distress. The lack of transparency and communication from prison authorities has only added to the anguish and uncertainty faced by families of inmates, who anxiously await a resolution to the crisis.
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