Blog dedicated to reporting on Mexican drug cartels
on the border line between the US and Mexico
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Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Treatment of Americans in Mexican Prisons

Chivis Martinez Borderland Beat
Julio and Tony Americans serving time in a Mexico City prison
You may have read Vato's post regarding the complaints of Narcos in American prisons, now we take a look at how Americans are treated in Mexican prisons. It doesn’t differ much from the treatment of Mexicans in Mexican prisons,  however the distinction is critical, Americans are targets by all other prisoners,  as it is thought they have money to steal.

The conditions are deplorable, making conditons in the US prisons Club Med by comparison.  It is unfortunate that Mexican narcos can't spend time in Mexican prisons, but truth be told they would have it far differently than the conditions in this video.  Money buys everything wanted in Mexican prisons.
 
I had the “opportunity” to vist a prison as a “guest” of the prison director.  If I ever go on a return visit I will not eat before I go.  If the conditions don’t turn the stomach the smell surely will.  Perhaps it is because water is scarce in the prisons, water for drinking or enough to partially fill a bucket to bathe.  It is estimated that bathing occurs every couple of weeks.  Water and food are withheld from prisioners for 23 or the 24 hours they are locked in a cell., prisoners will bang on cell walls and bars chanting "Water! Water! Water!", going almost a complete day without.   The meal they are provided is slop, cooked in a kitchen that shares its space with the sewer and rats as big as small cats.
One of the rats sharing the kitchen with prison cooks and sewer below

Half of the food is stolen and “sold” as barter.  This means the meal will run out before all prisoners are served.  Starving bad guys are not happy and this can lead to violence.  Prisoners have created a system of trade, either by work such as tatooing or gambling.

Killing and being killed is the number one issue of each prisoner.  Killings are rampant and Americans are targeted by just about everyone and the suicide rate is extremely high.  Often to escape the conditions will lead one to death, or rivals on the outside will send a message “we have your family, die or they will be killed”

This full length video follows the lives of the inmates of two of the worlds toughest prisons. Julio and Tony are former LA gang members serving time for homicide in Mexico Citys high security prison - Santa Martha.

Seen as outsiders with money they have both been attacked many times but they are more than willing to fight back Lurigancho Prison in Peru was built for 3600 inmates but now houses nearly 10,000, with only 100 unarmed guards. To control the prisoners the authorities have handed over the running of the prison to a council of inmate leaders.  This video is a rare look inside a Mexican prison and its every day life.

Water and a "meal" are given once a day to the "lucky"
Kitchen
 Full length video
 Now a look at the living conditions and luxury cells capos and the wealthy enjoy in the same Mexico City prison and others in Chihuahua and throughout Mexico.  It will cost 6000USD per month but nothing is off limits.  Sex, drugs, VIP game rooms with fully stocked bars, 3 and 4 room air conditioned "cells", with refrigerators, microwaves and stoves, living areas with sound systems, and Television/DVD players.  In VIP sections there is work out area with equipment and patio areas with tables with umbrellas, and outdoor kitchens and bars. Chef's and women are brought in for parties.
If you read the book the last narco you will remember the desciption of El Chapos cell and surroundings.  These EFE photos will give you a visual.

48 comments:

  1. These pictures are the same pix tht were used to describe Pablo Escobar's prison time living conditions!!!

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  2. I seen something similar in Venezuela on a documentary it had the top boss of the prison living with cell phones, air conditioning unit, flat screen tv, etc, and half of the prison was for the people who were of no use, they slept on the floor. It was made by a guy called Ross Kemp, these prisons have the right treatment but it should be for everyone to have it tough no food or water even the top bosses but alas we know it's not like this in reality.

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  3. nice to see that the big Capos that are apprehended have the life of luxury when they get in prison. What a joke! The system is so damn corrupt!

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  4. It won't play it in Europe it says nat geo blocked it on copyright grounds, anyone have it by a YouTube link? Cheers.

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  5. youtube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODA86LD
    auCE&feature=player_embedded

    as for the photos those at top i made from vid
    at bottom they are from EFE and El Universal also had them about a year ago but gave credit to efe.

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  6. I lived in Thailand for 7 years. Get this- prisoners don't get fed in Thailand by the authorities. Rather, families must bring bags of rice, vegetables, etc. so the inmate can cook for himself on makeshift open fires. Otherwise you would have to barter/buy that food on the inside, or starve.

    THE FLIPSIDE is you can have whatever you want so a mob boss and live like a king inside.

    It's hard for me to shed tears for crooks and bad guys but I do believe in prisoner's rights. You can't keep them in subhuman conditions.

    The #1 prison issue? Overcrowding.

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  7. Thanks a lot Chivis for the link, keep up the great work. Saludos from Europe.

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  8. Anonymous said...
    Thanks a lot Chivis for the link, keep up the great work. Saludos from Europe.
    September 29, 2012 5:02 PM Chivis said...
    you're welcome. we have the same issue in mexico often we are not able to play videos sent. saludos

    note to all the vid is on the national geo website i saw it on the nat geo channel. I believe it was released in the later part of 2009. My visit to the prison was subsequent to this and all i can say is the documentary does well but in person it is worse. the conditions have worsen as the overcrowing has become even a greater issue. though I have little compassion for known killers not all the people in prison have been convicted or even tried. in mx you are guilty until proven otherwise. my connection was to bring basic supplies to central american migrants.

    95% of all crimes in Mexico are NOT solved
    of those there is only a 2% conviction rate

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    Replies
    1. This is so sad nobody deserves to live in this conditions they are people not animals.
      By being in a cell is enough!

      Delete
  9. This show was on National geography channel like a year ago.. those two guys are not American.. they were raised in the US , but then deported for big crimes in LA.. so yeah they deserve what they get... The same for every other criminal..

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  10. i dont feel sorry for those inmates they murdered someone they deserve to suffer they all deserve to suffer.

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  11. @6:10pm Nat Geo who made documentary. They say they are "Americans" clear as can be on the video and on the promo. Both were born in Losa Angeles California, but have dual citizenship.

    When Julio killed the 2 guys that tried to kill him he was arrested and said he wanted to be sent to Mexico to be tried under Mexican law. He would have had 3 strikes in calif and would be in prison for life or death row.

    In mexico he only got 17 years. If he can stay alove he will still have a life outside prison. I have no compassion either, but lets keep the facts straight. maybe you should watche the vid.

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  12. That's good food for a killer. If I was cooking there I will mix some shit in it to give it extra flavor you just have to remember all the inocent people they killed

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  13. Great job putting it altogether. It is a nice comparative to US Prisons. Perhaps you can put together a post highlighting them as well. As a dual citizen I know this is confusing but it depends on the treaty held between the two countries. In this case he flees to Mexico to escape a lethal injection, really pretty smart because when the Mexican authorities caught him he elected his right under Mexican law to be tried in Mexico under Mexican law. I am guessing you also are dual citizenship? Not all countries allow this option. Mexico should end this practice. I don’t believe it absolves Julio is the US, but I could be wrong.

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  14. These dipshits get free room and board free rat stew and all the sex they could handle! If you.ask me that's the real crime!!

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  15. In the video there is 3 Americans, but that isn't the point, this I am sure is to highlight how ridiculous the claims of narcos in EU making such complaints.

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  16. what is the name of that mexican prison on an island? suppose to be straight up prison no one gets a pass

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    Replies
    1. Las Islas Marias .. I believe ...

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  17. I am looking foward to reading that these two peices of shit died in prison.. so if anyone finds out please post a link. I will do the same...thanks

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  18. And now a quick look at the prisons that make every other prison look like an outhouse, norwegian prisons. Comfort and luxury all the way.



    http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1989083,00.html

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  19. I would rather be looking after myself with other prisoners,than be on no human contact in a"clean"supermax.Shit some places i've stayed on travels are worse than this.People eat rats all over the world,nice big fat field ones.Its your own perspective,i would rather be doin my time with others.Then the hierarchy kicks in.Keep yourself in shape religiously people are a bit less eager to fuck with you if you in good shape and buffed up.

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  20. Florencia 13 all the way to Mexico. The F13 produces hardcore gangstas, they always represent the hood well wherever they go. They tend to be pretty aggressive and arrogant too cause they back it up.

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  21. 12:42 pm I didn't know forencia 13 had their own cheerleaders! They must be hardcore.

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    Replies
    1. Lol yea Fuck florenica or whatever the Fuck these gayboys call themselves. If your such a badass why don't you get a college diploma your Fucking losers

      Delete
  22. Yeah Florencia sounds pretty gay to me. Everybody in Mexico needs to go to jail as far as I'm concerned, including womean and children who keep producing these scumbags.

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  23. pinche culo, one of this days culo....

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  24. I actually remember going to see an uncle in Matamoros and I also expected the same shitty conditions. However, when we went in to his quarters it was air conditioned and they had some tvs set up on the walls with some round tables as well. The conditions for him were obviously not what I saw coming. Very strange. I never knew what he was in there for or did I ever see him again, but he obviously knew someone.

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  25. Go see Get the Gringo with Mel Gibson.

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  26. Man,this crazy,we even got an argument about who got the toughest prisons,US/Mexico?
    I would rather be with people than be locked down 24/7 no human contact.Wherever that may be.

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  27. CHIVIS YOU SHOULD COVER THE STORY , ABOUT THE BORDER PATROL AGENT SHOOTING THAT WOMAN FROM CALIFORNIA..

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  28. @12:13AM

    Wow what a sad story that is, I am not sure what happened, the BPA says she was trying to run into him, but sure doesn't make sense. Anyway, sorry but this site is Mexican Drugwar related info and news....Paz, Chivis

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  29. 10/1 5:47PM,

    Yea you say that now...but isolation 24/7 sounds a lot better than getting your "shit" pushed in by a bunch of hardcore gangbangers (as in raped)! The only way to survive in prison is you have to have something to offer or your made into a slave! It's pretty much survival of the strongest...no one does time on their own without encountering "problems!" Like they say prisons are run by the inmates with rules of their own making...not the prison officials!

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  30. "Yea you say that now...but isolation 24/7 sounds a lot better than getting your "shit" pushed in by a bunch of hardcore gangbangers (as in raped)"
    What kind of inmate would you be?What could you do to someone who wanted to fuck your ass?
    The worst thing you can possibly do to hurt or kill them,simple as that.Believe or not.

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  31. You say conspiracy holds a life sentence but you don't specify. Ex: Conspiracy to commit murde, yes it is possible. How bout someone tried to kill your dumb ass, what do you think they deserve 2 weeks probation?

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  32. "Know who committed the crime.. life" that's kindda like conspiracy don't you think ass wipe? I don't think judges are giving out life sentences to you if you know your buddy stold a battery from autozone, you think.

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  33. You ask how many people have our service members "murdered" yet I would bet you would be the first dumb motherfucker to give props to mexican military that kill some cartel members right? Because you're an American hater and like most American harers you itch for a reason to point your dirty ass finger at us!!

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  34. I hate all you racist ass fools.

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  35. I just caught this docu again, I wonder how it turned out for Julio. And that Peru prison is fuuuucked up. I don't feel sorry for rapist,child molesters and cold blooded killers, but I do feel for the minor criminals who are in these situations because of stealing to eat n feed their families. And I feel bad for people like Julio who are in there for defending themselves by taking someone else's life.

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  36. Anybody who even goes to a third world country is nuts. And to go there messing with dope is just stupid,stupid,stupid.

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  37. Where was Carlos, Peru or Santa Martha?

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  38. Lmao are you guys american haters?? Haha I was a marine ..been in irak came back ...been in mexican border drug cartel infested towns came back haha can you guys please cut the racist remarks and gt a damnn jobb

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  39. If you can not do the time, please do not do the crime!! I been in prisons and no much different in U.S. state prisons or some county jails than what is said of the Mexico side. Been to Mexico and never got stopped or held because I know the law says "NO WEAPONS ALLOWED" . Not to hard to read or know that as it is also not allowed to go across state lines in U.S. without legal permits to do just that. Now with all this said, why should being American matter if criminal acts are done? Criminal is still criminal! Where is not the problem unless the reach of family money can not help him out of U.S. where it would move politics to favor him. People get locked up, beaten, and mistreated everyday all around the world. Some are innocent and some guilty. This man was caught with not one, not two, but three guns and screams AMERICAN! SORRY BUDDY, learn Spanish and eat, sleep and live your reward for your actions. Fair charge this time people.

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    Replies
    1. Yay! Good answer! Finally, someone with a brain!

      Delete
  40. Lived in Haiti way back and if a person was caught stealing food they would chop his hands off.

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  41. We got the info first hand from the Mexican police. Americans are targeted. Jails are really horrible. We still go there twice a year.

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  42. To be honest fuck prison I think death row is better i mean lethal injections are alright but I mean if youve hurt someone then yeah go to jail. but other things like being ugly then either go get that fixed or suffer your whole life. I mean it is not fair for anyone to be in jail and honestly if you do go to jail i do expect that you do get your ass beat at least once.

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  43. I think these guys even though they murdered people in the past deserve to have a life because taking another life doesn't bring the lives back that they took away you must have compassion and forgive people!

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    Replies
    1. Are you stupid? Obviously you have never had a 6 year old family member raped, tortured, and murdered by a repeat offender, who happened to be let out of prison because of bleeding hearts like yourself.
      Where is your compassion for the 6 year old? Or your compassion for the other victims this sick murdering bastard chose to kill?
      Oh, wait, let me guess...the 6 year old was 'asking for it'!

      Delete

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