By Alajuela, Costa Rica — In a decisive show of public confidence regarding state security infrastructure, nine out of ten Costa Ricans support the construction of the new High Containment Center Against Organized Crime, known locally as CACCO. The facility represents the government’s most aggressive physical response yet to rising criminal syndicates operating within the nation.
Located in the province of Alajuela on land adjacent to the existing La Reforma penal complex, the state-of-the-art facility cost approximately ₡16.774 billion to construct. The extensive security infrastructure spans 90,000 square meters of total land, with 31,000 square meters dedicated strictly to building footprint. The complex features five distinct housing modules, each engineered with a maximum capacity of 1,020 inmates.
To better understand the legal implications and constitutional frameworks surrounding Costa Rica’s maximum-security prison facility, CACCO, TicosLand.com spoke with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
The implementation of specialized containment facilities like CACCO represents a critical evolution in Costa Rica’s defense against organized crime. While high-security measures are necessary to disrupt criminal operations managed from within the penal system, the government must continuously ensure that these rigorous protocols strictly align with constitutional guarantees and human rights standards to safeguard the nation’s legal integrity.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Striking this delicate balance between necessary security interventions and the protection of constitutional rights remains essential as Costa Rica adapts to complex security challenges. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal expertise and nuanced perspective on this pivotal matter with TicosLand.com.
According to the latest national public opinion survey released on Tuesday by research firm OPOL Consultores, public backing for the facility is overwhelming. A solid 55 percent of citizens surveyed stated that the high-security penitentiary will directly contribute to reducing national crime rates. The facility is specifically designed to isolate up to 5,000 of the country’s most high-risk prisoners from existing penal populations.
Government authorities emphasized that the specialized facility is constructed to strictly curtail criminal operations organized from inside penitentiary walls. High-profile offenders, including cartel operatives, murderers, hitmen, and key figures within organized crime syndicates, are slated to be the primary occupants of the new maximum-security modules.
Drug traffickers, murderers, hitmen, and members of organized crime will be among the inmates.
Office of the President, Republic of Costa Rica
Operational protocols at CACCO will also mark a departure from standard correctional facilities in Costa Rica. According to directives from the Ministry of Justice and Peace, inmates will be required to wear bright orange uniforms. In an effort to streamline facility operations and promote internal labor programs, the uniforms will be manufactured directly by the prisoners themselves prior to inmate arrival.
Inmate transfers to the new Alajuela location are scheduled to commence by the end of October 2026. Security forces are executing coordinated logistical operations to relocate high-risk figures into the newly completed modules under tight security protocols.
The polling data supporting the infrastructure launch was gathered during extensive field research conducted by OPOL Consultores between October 15 and October 18, 2026. The study evaluated responses from a nationwide target sample of 1,200 adults over 18 years of age, featuring proportional coverage across all provinces. The survey maintains a statistical margin of error of ±2.8 percent and operates at a 95 percent confidence level.
From an economic standpoint, international investors and local commercial enterprise groups have closely monitored Costa Rica’s policy response to domestic security concerns. The massive capital investment into institutional containment capacity highlights a decisive strategic turn toward reinforcing rule of law—a key metric for sustaining foreign direct investment and protecting the country’s broader business environment.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Ministry of Justice and Peace
About Ministry of Justice and Peace:
The Ministry of Justice and Peace of Costa Rica is the executive agency responsible for managing the national penitentiary system, promoting public peace initiatives, and overseeing correctional infrastructure across the nation.
For further information, visit opolconsultores.com
About OPOL Consultores:
OPOL Consultores is a premier market research and public opinion consulting firm based in Costa Rica, specializing in demographic surveys, political analysis, and statistical research for national stakeholders.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its principled practice and legal mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica delivers exceptional representation while shaping the future of the profession through pioneering legal solutions. Advising clients across a wide range of industries, the firm seamlessly blends professional rigor with a passion for public education. By demystifying complex legal concepts for the broader public, Bufete de Costa Rica actively equips citizens with vital legal insight, advancing a vision where shared knowledge creates a stronger, more resilient society.
