Punishment as a failed reintegration in Latin America

Keywords: Imprisonment, Failed Reintegration, Human Dignity, Inter- American Court of Human Rights, Prison Overcrowding

Abstract

The objective of the research was to analyze punishment as failed reintegration in Latin American prison systems, evaluating the enforcement of imprisonment against standards of human dignity and the effectiveness of inter-American control. The methodology operated under a theoretical- normative framework through a doctrinal analysis of the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR); in addition, a systematic review of the criminal literature was carried out, giving priority to the SciELO database and empirical data on prison overcrowding. Among the findings, it is noteworthy that prison regimes in the region prioritize mass incarceration over dignified spaces, which leads to recidivism rates of up to 30-40%. There is ineffective oversight by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), with only 15.11% of judgments enforced and emblematic cases that have been unfulfilled for more than 15 years. It is concluded that the prison crisis transcends merely technically, favoring an axiological collapse of ius puniendi. Therefore, selective decriminalization, binding IACHR protocols with progressive sanctions, and the reform of Article 65 of the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR) are required, as well as the existence of multisystemic programs for effective reintegration.

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Published
2026-01-30
How to Cite
López Ruíz, M. D. (2026). Punishment as a failed reintegration in Latin America. Political Questions, 44(84), 59-74. Retrieved from http://www.produccioncientifica.luz.edu.ve/index.php/cuestiones/article/view/45140