{"id":14504,"date":"2026-07-08T19:57:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=14504"},"modified":"2026-07-08T08:03:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T13:03:41","slug":"panama-prison-system-gets-ex-u-s-army-soldier-as-new-director-after-195-inmates-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/crime-safety\/panama-prison-system-gets-ex-u-s-army-soldier-as-new-director-after-195-inmates-escape\/","title":{"rendered":"Panama Prison System Gets Ex U.S. Army Soldier as New Director After 195 Inmates Escape"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Panamanian government has appointed a new director general for its penitentiary system following one of the most significant prison breaks in the country’s history. Chanan Singh, a former U.S. Army soldier with decades of security experience, now faces the challenge of restoring order to a system shaken by crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singh’s appointment came directly from the Ministry of Government. He replaces Jorge Torregroza, who resigned on June 19 after 195 inmates escaped from Panama’s La Joyita prison escape<\/a> on June 1. That incident, which involved a violent riot, left three prisoners dead and triggered widespread searches across multiple detention facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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la joyita panama prison riot escapees caught<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new director brings a military background that sets him apart from many previous appointees. Singh served in the United States Army’s Force 11B unit and is a Vietnam War veteran. His training includes specialized courses in intelligence, counterintelligence, special forces operations, and bank security. He also received instruction from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on intelligence matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Career Built on Security and Strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Singh’s professional trajectory includes leadership roles across Panama’s most sensitive institutions. He served as Chief of Security for the National Bank of Panama, a position that required managing threats to the country’s financial infrastructure. During the administration of President Ricardo<\/a> de la Espriella, he worked as an Intelligence Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of his most notable assignments involved creating the security corps for the University of Panama from scratch. That project demanded building organizational structures and specialized protocols where none existed before. He also conducted special investigations at both national and international levels, providing security consulting for the Caja de Ahorros bank and the National Lottery of Beneficence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chanan Singh, nuevo director general del Sistema Penitenciario, cuenta con m\u00e1s de 40 a\u00f1os de experiencia en seguridad, inteligencia estrat\u00e9gica y administraci\u00f3n penitenciaria. Ha ocupado importantes cargos en instituciones del Estado. pic.twitter.com\/u0Lacnfnzs<\/a><\/p>— Direcci\u00f3n General del Sistema Penitenciario (@PenitenciarioPA) July 8, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>