Ever wonder about the imposing structure before us? It is the Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Sur. It stands in the Xochimilco area of Mexico City. Locally it is called Reclusorio Sur.
Reclusorio Sur officially opened on October 8 1979. However operations began the previous year in 1978. The prison covers a large area of 152016 square meters. That’s a lot of space within these walls.
The Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Sur houses many inmates. In fact it can hold around 3500 people. However it often houses more closer to 5230. It is more than just a building. It is a complex world within itself.
Stories circulate of daily life here. Some tell of inmates paying for basic needs. They pay for access to water. They pay to use appliances. Some even pay to go outside. Corruption is a grim reality within these walls.
One woman shared her experience of visiting her husband. To see him she had to pay bribes. She paid guards to check her food. She paid for a visitor’s pass. She even paid inmates to notify her husband of her arrival.
Her husband also had to pay bribes. He paid guards at roll call. He paid to keep electricity on in his cell. He paid for water access. If he did not pay violence could occur.
This woman spent a lot of money each visit. It was for transportation and bribes. She sent money when she could not visit. It ensured her husband’s safety and survival inside Reclusorio Sur.
Signs posted strictly prohibit bribes. Yet guards make it clear that payment is necessary. This widespread corruption paints a troubling picture. It is a hidden cost of incarceration here at Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Sur.
The penitentiary system of Mexico City faces scrutiny. Officials sometimes dismiss claims of corruption. They insist that reported incidents are investigated. But many believe corruption is more widespread than reported.
Despite these challenges Reclusorio Sur continues to operate. It stands as a stark reminder of the complexities of justice. It reflects the ongoing struggles within Mexico’s prison system. The walls of Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Sur hold countless stories. These are stories of hardship survival and the search for justice.