Coronavirus: Peru releases 1,500 detainees

Peru has released 1,500 inmates sentenced to light sentences to reduce overcrowding in its prisons, where mutinies have sometimes taken place over fear of coronavirus contamination, the government announced on Sunday. "A total of 1,502 people have left various prisons and rehabilitation centers in the country," said Justice Minister Fernando Castaneda, quoted in a statement from his ministry.

These releases were spread over a period of two months. The government adopted a plan on April 14 to release some 3,000 detainees.

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Peru is currently the second country in the region after Brazil in terms of Covid-19 contaminations, with 229,736 contaminations recorded. In terms of deaths, it is third with 6,688 deaths behind Brazil and Mexico.

Fear of the coronavirus caused several mutinies in Peruvian prisons as well as a crisis due to the lack of sanitary equipment in these establishments. According to the authorities, 212 detainees died from Covid-19 and at least 67 others are currently hospitalized after being infected. Fifteen supervisors also died from the disease and 17 others are in treatment.

The spread of the virus in Peruvian prisons has resulted in the resignation of several hundred prison staff. The most serious mutiny linked to the virus took place at the end of April in Miguel Castro prison, east of Lima. Nine detainees died and 67 were injured, including detainees, guards and police.