World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Costa Rica transfers first 123 inmates to new high-security prison
Costa Rica has transferred the first 123 inmates to a new high-security prison near the capital, San José.
The facility, called CACCO, was designed with help from El Salvador and is modeled on that country’s high-security prison.
Its first three inmates were suspects in the killing of a police officer in May.
The prison can hold up to 5,100 people, about one-fifth of Costa Rica’s prison population.
The government says it will help reduce prison overcrowding and hold criminal leaders and people suspected of running illegal operations from prison.
The move comes as Costa Rica faces rising violence linked to drug trafficking and organized crime, after recording a record number of homicides in 2023.
Authorities expect the prison to reduce overcrowding, but have not given a timeline for that change.
Costa Rica transferred its first 123 inmates to a new high-security prison near San José on October 27.
The facility, called the High Containment Center against Organized Crime (CACCO), was designed to hold 5,100 inmates.
The first three inmates transferred were suspects in the May killing of a police officer.
The prison is intended for criminal organization leaders and people authorities say could continue illegal activity from prison.
Costa Rica’s government says the facility will help reduce overcrowding and strengthen its response to organized crime.
- Who
- Costa Rica’s Justice Ministry transferred 123 inmates.
- What
- The inmates were moved to the new High Containment Center against Organized Crime. The first three were suspects in a police officer’s killing.
- When
- October 27, 2026.
- Where
- CACCO, near San José, Costa Rica.
- Why
- The prison is intended to hold people linked to organized crime and help reduce prison overcrowding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Costa Rica inaugurated the new prison.
Authorities transferred the first 123 inmates to CACCO.
- First transfer
- 123 inmates
- Prison capacity
- 5,100 inmates
- First three transferred
- Suspects in the May killing of a police officer
- Location
- Near San José, Costa Rica
- Construction investment
- $35 million from Costa Rica
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What people are saying
CACCO is a monument to national security, a forceful response to organized crime, and a guarantee that the state will exercise its authority without hesitation.