Did anyone watch the C5 programme on CECOT with Richard Madeley

I watched the end of this programme and it certainly is an interesting concept.

However, I think a lot of what we saw was set up for the cameras. According to the man referred to as Psycho, interviewed by Richard Madeley, they all just get along together, chatting about the old days. Having some experience of working in a prison, I can't believe that all those prisoners, who were previously mortal enemies in different gangs, can now just sit there in large cells with nothing to do whilst reminscing about their escapades. No bullying, no arguing, no animosity?

I didn't watch from the beginning. Are there armed guards standing outside the cells, watching them 24 hours a day? That would probably explain their apparent docile behaviour.

Also, the rest of the population are obviously happy that their lives are no longer ruled by these ruthless gangs but I wonder about the long term ambitions of their Trump-loving President. I hope democracy continues for the people of El Salvador but I have my doubts.

I haven’t seen, but it’s on my radar to watch.

I have extremely mixed feelings about prisons.

It’s only my opinion, but their punishment is losing their liberty, in my opinion, all the rest of their time should be spent in reparation and rehabilitation.

Some crimes are utterly horrific and I’m not sure all criminals can be rehabilitated, but all can work towards reparation.

Victims should always come first and so much more work needs to done with victim support, quick compensation payments where appropriate and fully funded, full therapy.

So much more work needs to be done with crime prevention and with young people.

I look forward to seeing the programme, no doubt much of it will annoy/horrify me.

It sounds a good idea to me may be Mexico could follow suit and clean up the drug gangs.

There was a piece in our paper about El Salvador.
It had the dubious distinction of being the murder capital of the world as it was over- run with violent drug smuggling gangs who rampaged through neighbourhoods terrorising residents.

The ultra tough prison regime instigated by a new President has improved things so much for the population that the government’s approval rating is now over 90%

I didn’t see the programme. That’s just briefly what I remember from the newspaper article.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our criminal justice system was only half as tough?

Very interesting programme. Are we too soft over here?

I've always understood that parole was so that prisoners had an incentive to good behaviour. In CECOT, the incentive is not to be put in solitary in a darkened cell for a month. Brutal, maybe effective, yet so open to abuse. Like others, I felt conflicted by the end. Having nothing to do all day, and no hope of release is bound to bring mental health problems, surely?

I know that there are a couple of members here who have actually been into prisons (not as inmates haha).

I once undertook a guided tour of Chelmsford Prison, a fairly low level prison, though does have one wing for more serious violent crimes.

We were “allowed” onto a wing, locked doors once inside

Ooops sorry

It was lunchtime, they had choices of prepaid sandwiches and a drink, which they had to eat in their cell. A friendly prisoner allowed me into his cell and pushed the door just almost closed to give me a “feeling” of what it would be like to be shut in, it was very small and it wasn’t nice.

Unfortunately our visit on the wing was cut short as alarms went off in the higher security wing and the three of us visiting had to be escorted very quickly back to the offices.

It was extremely interesting. A male prison and I was warned that some prisoners might cat call and they did, though it it wasn’t particularly offensive.

It needs to be remembered that these prisoners have murdered, raped and chopped up people. They are not in there for minor crimes. As Harris27 says “are we too soft?”

My son wonders if they are actually drugged up as they are so docile.

Primrose53

It needs to be remembered that these prisoners have murdered, raped and chopped up people. They are not in there for minor crimes. As Harris27 says “are we too soft?”

My son wonders if they are actually drugged up as they are so docile.

I shall look forward to watching and that is a very good point!

Yes I saw it, or should I say I'm about three quarters of the way through and it is chilling. From the size of the accommodation blocks ..... Madeley calls them aircraft hangars. Just hundreds and hundreds of heavily tattooed , shaven headed men, dead behind the eyes.
Extremely intimidating atmosphere, but when you find out the extent of their crimes, you have to wonder how the wider El Salvadorian society feels.
Relieved I guess.

Yes I watched and did you notice the horror on Richards face . Momentarily I felt sorry for the prisoners and then reminded myself they were all killers . The country is safer for them being locked up , surely that has to be good . I wouldn't be surprised if they were drugged as they were docile but the punishment would be 1 month in solitary. Part of me felt we should implicate a stricter regime in our prisons because that would be a deterant for crime . It's definitely a documentary that will stay with me and no doubt Richard Madely

I saw the advertisement for the programme and it horrified me. All the comments here are valid and true as they are all murderers, most of them multi killings. What brings people to act as they all did, so devoid of any emotion, only understanding violence, who bought them up? . I couldn't watch it and I won't, they should be given the opportunity to end their own lives if they want to by humane method. What type of people are capable of watching them and runs these prisons. It's good the people of El Salvador are safe but the solution is dreadful.

O have also done a guided tour of a prison through my work. I am now retired.
I did not find the prisoners at all intimidating, however we were not allowed in the block that housed terrorists, murderers men who carried our terrible crimes.
I found myself agreeing with Richard Madeley at the end. I don't know that I can say the President of El Salvador is wrong and he has a 90% following. The population feel safer now. The crimes these men committed were heinous, and they had no remorse. I don't think they could be rehabilitated.

I’m saving it to watch with my husband who has been busy. I do respect Richard. I do think we might be too lenient here but I should watch it before commenting.

I m not a Richard Madely fan at all but it was a ‘ have to watch’ docu I was pretty horrified by the whole thing although I was also relieve the country had moved to a safer level I couldn’t take my mind away from the Nazi pictures of prisoners of war , although these are fed but it’s a living hell, nothing to look forward to, totally inhumane, but they had been inhumane in their crimes. Such a mixture of feelings watching it.
I didn’t like it, but can see what it’s done for the bigger population, a real clash of feelings
I certainly would like to see firmer prisoning here not so much Luxury but would I want to see that style replicated and it’s a big no

Toetoe

Yes I watched and did you notice the horror on Richards face . Momentarily I felt sorry for the prisoners and then reminded myself they were all killers . The country is safer for them being locked up , surely that has to be good . I wouldn't be surprised if they were drugged as they were docile but the punishment would be 1 month in solitary. Part of me felt we should implicate a stricter regime in our prisons because that would be a deterant for crime . It's definitely a documentary that will stay with me and no doubt Richard Madely

Sorry, I meant I wondered if all of them had drugs put in their food by the prison before serving. It is always beans and rice so they would never notice.

Judges there are permitted to sentence minors as young as 12 to life imprisonment for serious crimes.

Is this really a good idea?

I didn't see this but understood that the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT), is primarily reserved for adult gang leaders.

Is this no longer correct?

BlueBelle

I m not a Richard Madely fan at all but it was a ‘ have to watch’ docu I was pretty horrified by the whole thing although I was also relieve the country had moved to a safer level I couldn’t take my mind away from the Nazi pictures of prisoners of war , although these are fed but it’s a living hell, nothing to look forward to, totally inhumane, but they had been inhumane in their crimes. Such a mixture of feelings watching it.
I didn’t like it, but can see what it’s done for the bigger population, a real clash of feelings
I certainly would like to see firmer prisoning here not so much Luxury but would I want to see that style replicated and it’s a big no

I don’t think “luxury” exists in most of our overcrowded prisons.

El Salvador was one of the most dangerous places to live in the world with an appallingly high number of murders, mostly gang related. Their President, Nayib Bukele, is seen by some as a dictator but he has turned his country around. He announced a national state of emergency and arrested the gang members en masse. This task was made easier as gang members are covered, some almost totally, with tattoos. They live in clean but very basic conditions, packed together, irrespective of the differences they may have had,one with another, out on the streets. One inmate, who Richard Madeley interviewed said that if they ever got out they would go back to killing. For some who find this treatment inhumane I say spare a thought for their multiple victims. Hacked to death with machetes more often than not. Do these murderers deserve books, a gym, visitors, computers? I don't think so. What struck me was the teacher who had worked in her school for many years. The gangs ran the schools. They had a say in everything and recruited members from the children there. What chance did they have? She was in tears telling Richard that now they were free. El Salvador is now the safest place to live in Central America.

NotSpaghetti

Judges there are permitted to sentence minors as young as 12 to life imprisonment for serious crimes.

Is this really a good idea?

If they are committing serious crimes at 12, then yes. El Salvador was one of the world's most dangerous places. Desperate times and all that.

Is that the country where women who have miscarriages are accused of murder?