Prisioneros

Prisioneros, or prisoners, are individuals deprived of liberty due to criminal proceedings. They may be detained before trial (pre-trial detention) or convicted and serving a sentence. Confinement typically takes place in correctional facilities such as prisons, jails, or other secure institutions. The term is used in Spanish-speaking contexts, with variations like preso or interno depending on stage and country.

Prison populations are diverse: adults and juveniles, men and women, first-time offenders and long-term inmates. Facilities differ in security level and may offer education, vocational training, healthcare, and rehabilitative programs. Key challenges include overcrowding, access to medical care, safety, and ensuring rights are respected. Many systems also apply alternatives to imprisonment for certain offenses, such as probation or community service, to reduce prison populations and promote reintegration.

International standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and regional human rights instruments, require humane treatment, due process, access to counsel, periodic review, and protection from torture or cruel treatment. The reintegration of released prisoners, supported by education and employment opportunities, is seen as essential to reducing recidivism and promoting public safety.

Note: The term may also refer to Los Prisioneros, a Chilean rock band formed in the late 1970s; this is distinct from the general concept of confinement.