United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central America and the Caribbean

President of Panama signed the Prison Career Law

President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, passed the law which develops the prison service career, giving a firm step on the prison reform process carried out during this government administration.

The Head of State indicated that this Act seeks to employ meritorious and honest personnel, respectful of human rights, guarantor for the security and rehabilitation of the adult prison population, as well as the population of young offenders who are serving time or who are under alternative measures.

Varela noted that the adoption of the prison service career aims at strengthening the institutional nature of the State, as it ensures the permanence of the best officers to give continuity to public policies developed in social rehabilitation.

The Minister of Government in charge, Maria Luisa Romero, acknowledged the support that UNODC has given through Project SECOPA (implemented by UNODC with funds from the European Union) and Project "Strengthening the prison reform in Panama" (supported by the US Embassy), with important contributions in the development of the prison service law and strengthening of the Prison Training Academy.