politics
May 8, 2026
Constitutional Court issues alert for non-compliance in transitional detention centers
The Constitutional Court, through its Special Monitoring Chamber for the Unconstitutional State of Affairs in the Penitentiary and Prison System, issued a strong alert regarding the critical situation in the country's transitional detention centers.
TL;DR
- 14 departments are in general non-compliance with regulations for transitional detention centers.
- 7 departments show low compliance, and only Antioquia, Nariño, and Bogotá have medium compliance.
- Nine departments failed to provide required information.
- The Constitutional Court reiterated that individuals cannot be held in these centers for more than 36 hours.
- Overcrowding stands at 95.5%, with 18,986 people in spaces designed for 9,711.
- Extreme overcrowding cases reported at CAI Aguaclara in Cali (3,400%) and Neiva (2,618%).
- The INPEC and USPEC were cited for hindering transfers and failing to provide food.
- Urgent measures ordered include comprehensive care plans, infrastructure plans, and national co-financing lines.