Venezuela’s acting president has unveiled a new amnesty law intended to cover hundreds of prisoners across the country. The announcement also included plans to repurpose the Helicoide detention center in Caracas, which has faced longstanding criticism for its conditions and treatment of detainees.
The proposed law aims to address overcrowding and improve the justice system, while the transformation of the Helicoide facility is part of broader reforms targeting the prison system. Details on the implementation timeline and specific criteria for the amnesty have yet to be fully disclosed.
**Why this matters**
The amnesty law could lead to the release of numerous inmates, potentially easing prison overcrowding and impacting Venezuela’s judicial and political landscape. Changes to the Helicoide detention center are significant given its controversial history and the international attention on human rights conditions within Venezuelan prisons.
Source: NewsData