United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central America and the Caribbean

UNODC supports the formation of the first canine squad of the prison system

During October and November, under the UNODC Project PANZ59 "Consolidating prison reform improvements in Panama", with the support of the US Embassy in Panama, 11 prison guards with their dogs undertook the first dog unit training for the prison system.

This training was conducted by Luis Alberto Vicentes, who has worked several weeks with these animals to further develop their sense of smell in order to detect weapons, banned substances and cell phones inside prisons.

According to the authorities of the General Office of the Penitentiary System, this canine unit will definitely bring more security both to prisoners and prison guards.