Honduras Plans High Security Prison Build on Unpopulated Island off Coast
Honduras Plans High Security Prison Build on Unpopulated Caribbean Island VOA Learning English
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Honduras Plans to Build Island Prison to Address Gang Violence
Honduras has announced plans to build a high-security prison on an unpopulated island in the Caribbean Sea off the country’s eastern coast. The Swan Island project would become the Western Hemisphere’s only island prison. Honduran officials say they plan to use the prison to house the country’s most violent criminals.
Island Prisons in Latin America
In the past, island prisons were common in Latin America, with countries like Brazil, Chile, and Colombia owning them. However, due to riots, poor conditions, and prison escapes, these prisons were eventually closed. The last island prison, owned by Mexico, closed in 2019.
Addressing Gang Violence
Officials in Honduras believe that the new island prison will help stop violence. However, critics argue that island prisons fail to address the root causes of the problem. Tiziano Breda, a Latin America expert at Italy’s Instituto Affari Internazionali, states that building new prisons is ineffective without first regaining control of the existing ones.
Last month, a prison fight in Honduras resulted in the death of 46 women, making it one of the worst incidents in the history of women’s prisons. In response, President Castro vowed to take drastic measures to put an end to the gangs that have terrorized Honduras for years.
Unique Security Measures
José Jorge Fortín, the head of Honduras’ armed forces, revealed that the only way to communicate with the island prison is by satellite. The government believes this will make it difficult for gangs inside the prison to organize crime and violence. However, no information has been provided regarding the cost or timeline for building the prison.
Looking to El Salvador for Inspiration
El Salvador, a neighboring country, has already taken a strong stance against gangs. One in every 100 people in El Salvador is a prisoner, with gang members representing 30 percent of the prison population. While rights activists have accused the government of abuses in its justice system, El Salvador has seen significant drops in violence, gaining support from its citizens.
Honduras’ Fortín suggests that if another country has successfully dealt with gangs, it is worth considering similar strategies. However, Tiziano Breda argues that this approach diverts attention from implementing long-term policy changes that could make a lasting difference.
Environmental Concerns
Some individuals have expressed environmental concerns about the new prison plan. Scientists worry that the project will damage the island’s highly diverse ecosystem. The Honduran Biologists Association has labeled the prison as a threat to nature. Lucky Medina, Honduras’ secretary of natural resources and the environment, assures that the prison will be built in harmony with nature, following environmental protection measures.
The Associated Press reported this story. Dominic Varela adapted the report for VOA Learning English.
Words in This Story
- gang – a group of persons working towards unlawful or antisocial ends
- drastic – extreme in effect or action
- mimic – to copy closely
- ideal – having no flaw; perfect
- diverse – differing from one another
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article addresses the issue of violence and crime in Honduras, which is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Additionally, the article mentions concerns about the potential environmental impact of building the prison on an island, which is connected to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 16.3 under SDG 16, which focuses on promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all. Additionally, Target 15.5 under SDG 15 can be identified, which aims to take urgent action to reduce degradation of natural habitats and protect biodiversity.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.
- Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index.
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress:
– Indicator 16.3.1: This indicator measures the proportion of victims of violence who report their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms. It can be used to assess whether there is equal access to justice for all and whether the rule of law is being promoted.
– Indicator 15.5.1: This indicator measures the Red List Index, which assesses the risk of extinction for different species. It can be used to monitor the protection and prevention of the extinction of threatened species and the overall health of biodiversity.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index. |
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Source: learningenglish.voanews.com
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