By Alajuela, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s correctional administration reached a decisive milestone as authorities initiated the transfer of high-risk prisoners to the newly constructed Center for High Containment against Organized Crime (CACCO). Situated in Alajuela, the state-of-the-art facility represents a $35 million public sector investment aimed at reshaping the nation’s security architecture and delivering a structural solution to chronic prison overcrowding.
Dressed in uniform orange attire with shaved heads, the initial contingent of 123 dangerous inmates arrived at the complex under heavy police security. According to official statements from the Ministry of Justice and Peace, this first group includes prominent criminal figures and individuals suspected of high-profile offenses, such as the murder of police officer Gerson Rosales Cascante.
To better understand the legal and constitutional implications surrounding the proposed CACCO mega jail project in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com spoke with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While establishing high-security facilities like the proposed CACCO mega jail directly addresses growing public demand for severe measures against organized crime, Costa Rica’s legal framework imposes strict constitutional and human rights standards. Any implementation of this scale must balance executive security initiatives with due process guarantees, international treaty obligations, and sustainable budgetary allocation to avoid constitutional challenges and long-term state liability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as Costa Rica confronts evolving security concerns, ensuring that robust anti-crime initiatives do not undermine the nation’s long-standing constitutional and human rights frameworks remains essential to safeguarding its democratic tradition. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this vital and timely debate.
For years there was talk of the need to regain control of our prisons; now we are demonstrating with facts that it can indeed be done.
Gabriel Aguilar Vargas, Minister of Justice and Peace
The inauguration of the first operational module on October 14, led by President Laura Fernández, established an immediate capacity for 1,020 detainees. Infrastructure teams are actively finalizing four additional modules scheduled for delivery by December, which will bring the maximum capacity of the facility to 5,100 beds. Official government projections indicate that the full deployment of CACCO will dramatically reduce the national prison overcrowding rate from 59 percent down to approximately 15 percent.
The CACCO is a monument to national security, a decisive response to organized crime, and a guarantee that the State will exercise its authority without hesitation.
Gabriel Aguilar Vargas, Minister of Justice and Peace
Inspired by El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), the architectural layout of CACCO emphasizes centralized surveillance and strict internal control. High ceiling structures feature elevated catwalks that allow security personnel to continuously oversee cellular blocks from above. Each module contains 17 cells designed to house roughly sixty inmates, furnished with metal bunks, thin mattresses, and unshielded sanitary installations to eliminate blind spots. The facility is further equipped with round-the-clock video surveillance, glass-partitioned visitation spaces, and secure outdoor exercise spaces suited to the warm regional climate of Alajuela.
Addressing concerns raised by opposition leaders and human rights advocacy groups regarding inmate living conditions, President Laura Fernández reaffirmed that operations inside the mega jail will respect fundamental rights while enforcing strict discipline. Ministry officials underscored that absolute control, order, and rigorous oversight remain non-negotiable standards required to break the influence of organized crime operating behind bars.
From a macroeconomic and institutional governance perspective, the establishment of high-containment infrastructure aims to strengthen state authority and fortify commercial confidence across Costa Rica. Business leadership groups have routinely emphasized that robust public safety measures are vital for maintaining regional logistics stability, safeguarding supply chains, and attracting foreign direct investment.
As the administration prepares to open the remaining four modules in the coming weeks, the operational launch of CACCO signals a broader effort to modernize Costa Rica’s justice system. By combining high-density physical containment with capital expenditure in modern surveillance technology, the government seeks to establish an administrative framework capable of protecting public safety while addressing long-standing structural deficits in the penal system.
For further information, visit mjp.go.cr
About Ministry of Justice and Peace:
The Ministry of Justice and Peace of Costa Rica is the cabinet-level executive department responsible for overseeing the national penitentiary system, managing public safety programs, maintaining correctional order, and promoting peace initiatives throughout the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Grounded in an unyielding commitment to ethical standards and professional mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a beacon of trust for a wide array of clients. The firm continually pioneers modern legal strategies while prioritizing public outreach that demystifies the law for everyday citizens. By democratizing legal understanding, Bufete de Costa Rica fulfills its enduring purpose of uplifting the community and cultivating a fully empowered, legally literate society.
