Venezuela is one of the worst countries to be locked up, with many of the prisons in squalor, controlled by gangs and violent. After months of negotiation, ramsaysky was given permission to go inside some of these prisons. More here 👉
"It is not that we don't want you to see it," I was told. "We can't protect you. We are serious. The prisoners are in charge."
Go and ask them I said, nervously twiddling my lucky beads. Be careful what you wish for, as many journalists say.Watch Hotspots on Thursday at 9pm on Sky DocumentariesWe pulled up to the entrance of the Al Internado Judicial de Carabobo prison in Valencia, a city a couple of hours south of the capital, Caracas. The National Guard were manning the gate, not the usual prison guards.In the past whenever I'd seen the fearsome Venezuelan National Guard, I'd gone the other way.
It was more like a shantytown. There were courtyards with little red and white restaurants and cafes, and there were prisoners everywhere, hanging around and socialising. It quickly became clear to us that the police and prison guards were not in charge here at all. The prisoners were. They gave us permission to visit.I noticed one of the prisoners walking alongside us. He was wearing bright yellow high top trainers – surrounded by fellow prisoners; his bodyguards, I was told.The man with yellow high top trainers was the bossThen I saw it tucked into his shorts. His revolver.
They could have anything they wanted. They could buy sex for the right price, and they could certainly have drugs, alcohol, and weapons. As much as they wanted.For a price, prisoners could have everything they wanted Thousands upon thousands of others are locked up waiting for their cases to be heard and their sentences handed down.The authorities would not give us access to these cells.
"I have a family, I used to run a fruit stand, but like everyone else, as things got worse here, my income wasn't enough, I was forced to start stealing", he said. "Here it is not the government that feeds you, no. Here, who feeds you is your family when they can, when they can support you, when they can come here they then support you with food, but the government here does not feed anyone, as they say they do on television."The group feels a sense of camaraderie, despite their situationOne of them, a 33-year-old who, as the eldest in the cell appeared to be the group leader, said they slept in shifts when it got too crowded.
Many of those in holding cells across Venezuela are from very poor families, struggling to survive themselves, so there is only so much that a family on the outside can do, only so much they can spare. But the prisoners said their families did what they could to bring food, to keep them alive.The Venezuelan prison system is probably not as bad as some others in Latin America. But this is a pretty low bar to reach.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inside 'the world's most expensive student flat' that cost wealthy dad £18.6mThe purchase of the swanky five-bedroom flat in upmarket Mayfair was made by an unidentified Saudi billionaire last week and will be used by his daughter while she studies in London
Read more »
O'Sullivan leads Selby at CrucibleRonnie O'Sullivan earns a 5-3 lead against a battling Mark Selby in the World Championship semi-final.
Read more »
Anthony McGill makes strong start in semi-final against Kyren WilsonThe Scot, who is trying to reach his first World Snooker final, leads the No 8 seed 6-2 after first session at the Crucible
Read more »
US unemployment claims dip below 1m for first time in 20 weeksFigures show 963,000 people filed for claims last week as pandemic’s devastating impact maintains grip on economy
Read more »
The Santa Barbara set: inside the glamorous world Harry and Meghan can now call homeThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex have bought a family home on the self-styled 'American Riviera' – but will Harry fit in?
Read more »
One of the world's biggest telescopes suffers major damage in freak incidentFacility was already recovering from devestation of Hurricane Maria
Read more »