ABSTRACT
This chapter examines some of the general trends in prisons and Latin America. It focuses on the cases of El Salvador and Mexico as both countries are plagued by high levels of crime and violence as well as an overcrowded prison system that presents many challenges for policymakers. As Latin American policymakers have attempted to crack down on drug trafficking and organized crime, harsh drug laws have been enforced and have contributed to spikes in the prison population. The rising prison population due to the tough on crime approach has led to serious overcrowding. While mano dura policies are often popular among the public, such strategies lead to more violence and contribute to high levels of overcrowding. Prisons in Latin America face major challenges with overcrowding, which creates obstacles for governments and prison officials.
