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Buenos Aires Legislature Approves City Penitentiary Service, Paving Way for Federal Transfer

Officials present the new framework as a step toward easing overcrowded lockups through a pending transfer from the federal system.

Overview

  • The Legislature passed the Servicio Penitenciario y de Reintegración Social by 54–3 and a companion Law of Execution of the Penalty by 55–3 after five months of debate.
  • The service is a civil body under the City’s Justice Ministry with a directorate and two corps: armed Security Penitentiary agents and civilian Reintegration agents.
  • The ISSP will provide initial and ongoing training, and a ‘Plan de Vida’ will prioritize education, health and work programs aimed at reducing recidivism.
  • City and national authorities continue negotiating the transfer of competencies, detainees, personnel and facilities, with legal teams suggesting a decree under the ‘ley Cafiero’ could formalize the agreement without Congress.
  • Capacity works tied to pavilions in Marcos Paz and Ezeiza and the planned closure of Devoto frame the next steps, as the City cites a March readiness target and reports 2,432 people currently held in local detention centers.