Chile completes transfer of 1,500 high-risk inmates to La Laguna prison

Chile's Ministry of Justice has concluded "Operation Cancerbero," a plan by Gendarmerie that transferred more than 1,500 high-risk inmates to La Laguna prison in Talca, raising occupancy to 83.2% with 1,931 inmates Source: emolcl. The operation, described as "the largest simultaneous transfer of maximum and high-security prisoners to a single prison in the country," was hailed as successful by authorities Source: emolcl.

The operation

On August 13, 690 inmates were moved in three caravans using 50 vehicles, including armored cars, buses, and helicopters, from Santiago, Cauquenes, and the old Talca prison Source: emolcl. Among them were nine organized crime leaders from the Special High-Security Penitentiary (REPAS) Source: emolcl. Subsequent transfers on August 15, 17, and 21 brought additional inmates from various centers, totaling 1,931 Source: emolcl.

Government response

Justice Minister Fernando Rabat praised Gendarmerie's professionalism, linking the operation to the new Anti-Looting Law and the Agenda against Organized Crime and Terrorism (ACOT) Source: emolcl. The operation is part of President José Antonio Kast's agenda to increase prison capacity and isolate criminal leaders Source: infobae.

Security regime

La Laguna's high-security regime includes individual cells, limited patio time, meals in cells, no conjugal visits, and restricted visits and packages Source: emolcl. The prison has 389 available places remaining Source: emolcl.