{"id":18756,"date":"2026-11-12T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-13T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=18756"},"modified":"2026-11-12T11:08:13","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T16:08:13","slug":"hunger-behind-bars-10-inmates-died-of-malnutrition-in-panama-prisons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/crime-safety\/hunger-behind-bars-10-inmates-died-of-malnutrition-in-panama-prisons\/","title":{"rendered":"Hunger Behind Bars: 10 Inmates Died of Malnutrition in Panama Prisons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A coalition of 17 human rights organizations is demanding an immediate prisoner deaths investigation<\/a> after at least 10 inmates died across Panama’s penitentiary system<\/a> in the past two months. The groups say authorities have failed to respond to what they describe as a suspected induced famine and delayed medical care<\/a> inside the country’s prisons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organizations released a statement dated November 11 titled “National and International Alert Over the Death of at Least 10 Persons Deprived of Liberty in Panamanian Prisons.” They allege that since June, prison officials prohibited family members from bringing food into the facilities. That decision forced inmates to rely solely on state rations, which the groups call drastically insufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Despite
Despite the fatalities, the organizations say no official reaction has come from prison authorities.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Prisoner Deaths Investigation and Alleged Neglect<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The rights coalition contends that restricting food access to people under state custody violates the right to life and personal integrity. They also classify the conditions as cruel and inhumane treatment<\/a>. The groups specifically point to the prisons of Nueva Esperanza, La Joya, and La Joyita as the centers where the deaths occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the fatalities, the organizations say no official reaction has come from prison authorities. They warn the situation could escalate into a full humanitarian crisis behind bars. The coalition is now calling for the removal of the general director of the Penitentiary System as well as the directors or managers of the three named facilities while administrative and criminal investigations proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NACIONALES| Hay malestar en los centros penitenciarios. Privados de libertad denuncian la falta de alimentos y casos de tuberculosis.\n\nUn video recientemente difundido en redes sociales puede observarse un mitin interno donde gritan a una voz: "\u00a1Queremos comida!". https:\/\/t.co\/qGK1SNoUf0<\/p>— Realidad Noticias (@realidadpma) November 11, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n