Punitive Populism and Prison Collapse: Towards a Gradual Abolition of the Closed Prison in Colombia

POPULISMO PUNITIVO Y COLAPSO CARCELARIO: HACIA UNA ABOLICIÓN GRADUAL DE LA PRISIÓN CERRADA EN COLOMBIA

This article explores the causes of punitive populism in Colombia along with its consequent prison collapse, which leads to propose the gradual abolition of closed prisons, as these institutions have failed to resocialize inmates. Taking into account collected data, it is found a need to rethink the use of closed prisons, by using them minimally, in cases that are more serious. As a methodology of analysis, the article addresses four major aspects, such as Punitive Populism and the Criminal Law of the Enemy, the perversion of the closed prison system, the collapse of the closed prison in Colombia and finally, alternatives for the gradual abolition of closed prisons.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21017/Rev.Repub.2018.v25.a53