Belize's Prison Problem

Belize has one correctional facility, Belize Central Prison, which is located in Hattieville and managed by the Kolbe Foundation. The prison's focus has shifted from punishment to rehabilitation, with lower levels of self-reported social distance between staff and inmates. Belize's incarceration rate is relatively high at 356/100,000, with over 1,500 prisoners in jail as of 2022. The prison population includes adults and adjudicated youths, both men and women, and nearly half of the inmates are Central American migrants jailed for non-violent immigration offences.

Belize Central Prison is the only correctional facility in Belize

The Belize Central Prison was established as a replacement for a century-old prison that closed and later became the Belize Museum. The prison's local nickname is the 'Hattieville Ramada'. It houses men, women, adults, and adjudicated youths. As of 2017, the prison's population was 1,297, including pre-trial detainees. The incarceration rate is relatively high at 356 per 100,000, and the female incarceration rate has risen from 8.4 per 100,000 in 2000 to 12.6 in 2017.

The Kolbe Foundation promotes social and family visitations, which are considered essential for successful inmate reintegration into society. Visitors must follow instructions and comply with administrative regulations. The foundation also encourages inmates to participate in rehabilitation and social programs, with a focus on viewing prisoners as human beings worthy of respect and in need of rehabilitation. This approach has helped to reduce criminality and reoffending rates.

The prison offers a range of programs and services to support inmate rehabilitation. These include addiction treatment services, educational classes, and vocational courses in mechanical repair, construction, woodwork, welding, and agriculture. Inmates also have access to a daily radio station, and an advisory board composed of exemplary prisoners meets weekly with the prison director to discuss concerns and improvements.

The improvements implemented by the Kolbe Foundation have resulted in positive changes at the Belize Central Prison. There has been a significant decrease in prison escapes, contraband seizures, and criminal activity rates. The strict focus on rehabilitation has helped to reduce recidivism, with Belize's reoffending rate at around 10% between three and five years after an inmate's release.

Belize's incarceration rate is 356/100,000

Belize has an incarceration rate of 356/100,000, which is considered relatively high. This statistic refers to the number of individuals incarcerated per 100,000 people in the national population. Belize Central Prison, located in Hattieville, is the country's sole correctional facility. It is managed by the Kolbe Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, and houses both men and women, including adults and adjudicated youths.

As of August 12, 2008, the prison held 1,371 inmates. By June 2017, the total population had decreased slightly to 1,297, including pre-trial detainees, who made up 30.1% of the population. The incarceration rate for females has also risen, from 8.4 (per 100,000 of the national population) in 2000 to 12.6 in 2017.

The Belize Central Prison is situated on a 225-acre plot of land, with the main prison territory occupying 50 acres surrounded by a fence. The prison is relatively remote, located 2 miles from the nearest major highway, the Western Highway, and 17 miles from Belize City. While there is no public transportation directly to the prison, taxi drivers in the area will transport people there for a fee.

In 2013, researchers from the University of Indianapolis initiated a project to document the shift in management of the prison from the state to the Kolbe Foundation. They conducted interviews with staff and female inmates to gain insights into the changes in conditions, rehabilitation focus, and hiring practices. The project revealed improved conditions and a reduced sense of social distance between staff and inmates, contributing to the increased emphasis on rehabilitation.

Belize Central Prison is managed by the Kolbe Foundation

Belize Central Prison is the only correctional facility in Belize. It is located in Hattieville and managed by the Kolbe Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation. The Kolbe Foundation has been responsible for the prison since 2002, taking over from the state. The prison is on a 225-acre plot of land, with the main prison territory surrounded by a fence and covering 50 acres. It is two miles from the nearest major highway and around 17 miles from Belize City.

The Kolbe Foundation promotes visitation while maintaining security measures. Visitors are required to follow all instructions and comply with administrative regulations. The foundation believes that family and social visits are essential for an inmate's successful reintegration into society after release. The prison houses men and women, adults, and adjudicated youths. As of 2017, the prison population was 1,297, including pre-trial detainees.

The University of Indianapolis has been documenting the shift in management from the state to the Kolbe Foundation through a project recording the oral histories of staff and inmates. Initial findings suggest improved conditions and a shift in focus from punishment to rehabilitation. There is also a willingness to hire former offenders and even ex-inmates. Lower levels of self-reported social distance between staff and inmates are a factor in the increased focus on rehabilitation.

The Kolbe Foundation's aim is to provide a secure, humane facility with a focus on meaningful rehabilitation. The foundation recognises that many inmates come from complex environments with issues such as drug addiction, unemployment, and homelessness. Therefore, improving their prospects for life upon release is a key goal.

The prison has 2,100 beds for 1,150 inmates

Belize Central Prison is the only correctional facility in the country of Belize. It is located in Hattieville and has been managed by the Kolbe Foundation, a Catholic-oriented non-profit, non-governmental organisation, since 2002.

The Kolbe Foundation's focus on rehabilitation and viewing inmates as human beings worthy of respect has helped to change the prison's culture and reduce criminality. Inmates now have access to addiction treatment services and can voluntarily take part in educational classes to work towards earning a primary school certificate. There are also vocational courses in mechanical repair, construction, woodwork, welding, and agriculture.

Prisoners also host their own daily radio station, and exemplary inmates serve on an advisory board that meets weekly with the prison director, Virgilio Murillo, and his staff to inform them about inmate concerns and improvements that could be made. This approach has helped keep prisoners from re-offending. Belize's recidivism rate sits at around 10% between three and five years after inmates are released, according to Murillo.

The prison also encourages family and social visitations, which are considered essential for an inmate to successfully reintegrate into society when released.

Belize Central Prison is located in Hattieville, 17 miles from Belize City

Belize Central Prison is the only correctional facility in Belize. It is located in Hattieville, 17 miles (27km) from Belize City. The prison is situated on a 225-acre plot of land, with the main prison territory occupying 50 acres surrounded by a fence with a circumference of 1 mile. The Kolbe Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, has managed the prison since 2002. Formerly known as the Hattieville Prison, it replaced a century-old prison that later became the Belize Museum.

The Belize Central Prison holds both male and female prisoners, including adults and adjudicated youths. As of 2017, the prison population was 1,297, including pre-trial detainees. The incarceration rate in Belize is relatively high, with 356 people incarcerated per 100,000 of the national population. The prison has been described as overcrowded and unsanitary, with concerns raised about the conditions and allegations of corruption and favouritism.

The nearest major highway, the Western Highway, is 2 miles from the prison, and there is no public transportation between the highway and the prison. Visitors often take taxis or walk the 2 miles to the prison. The prison is also 6 miles from Burrell Boom.

The Belize Central Prison has been the subject of research and media attention. In 2013, researchers from the University of Indianapolis began a project to document the shift in management from the state to the Kolbe Foundation. The project included interviews with staff and inmates, revealing improved conditions and a focus on rehabilitation. The prison has also been featured in media reports, with some former inmates speaking out about the poor conditions and allegations of negligence.

Frequently asked questions