The situation of persons deprived of liberty worldwide faces complex challenges that require urgent and committed attention from a human rights perspective. In various regions, detention centres operate far above their capacity, generating serious overcrowding conditions that directly affect the dignity and well-being of inmates. The lack of sufficient resources and adequate infrastructure limits access to health services, leaving many people in prison exposed to preventable diseases and untreated health conditions. This situation is intensified in countries with overburdened prison systems, where the health response and specialized medical personnel are limited, creating a scenario of vulnerability and risk for the population deprived of liberty.
From a reintegration perspective, access to rehabilitation and psychosocial support programs is insufficient in most prison systems around the world, with few opportunities for education, job training and psychological support that foster effective social reintegration. In addition, in some contexts, inmates face dynamics of violence and internal control that further limit their safety and possibilities of preparing for life in freedom. In this context, it is essential to promote policies that recognize the rights of people in prison and guarantee decent living conditions. For human rights organizations, this implies moving towards structural reform that allows for a comprehensive approach, based on respect for rights and rehabilitation, contributing to the reduction of recidivism and the strengthening of more inclusive and peaceful communities.
Once Trece is committed to improving the health and well-being of people deprived of liberty in Venezuela, a population that lives in highly vulnerable conditions.
As an organization, we have had the opportunity to intervene in pretrial detention centers in Venezuela, with the consent and support of state agencies. This support has facilitated a framework of cooperation that allows us to act with respect and efficiency, favoring access to the centers and promoting improvements in the care of people deprived of liberty. State collaboration has been essential to fulfill our mission of defending dignity and human rights in these contexts, addressing both health needs and social reintegration initiatives that contribute to a more just and humane coexistence.
In the country, the conditions in penitentiary centers are a reflection of the challenges inherent in spaces with limited resources, where overcrowding and restricted access to basic services present difficulties in maintaining hygiene and sanitation standards. In this context, the possibility of spreading diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and other infections linked to the lack of optimal hygiene and medical care conditions is high. Cells, originally designed for a specific number of people, frequently house a larger number, making it difficult to maintain minimum health and privacy conditions.
Faced with this reality, Once Trece contributes with comprehensive medical care, health education and prevention programs, focusing its efforts on the detection and treatment of TB and other infections. Through health days, distribution of medical and educational supplies, and preventive strategies, we work to ensure that people deprived of liberty have access to essential health resources, promoting a human rights-based approach that aspires to better living conditions within these spaces.
Many of the interventions were carried out in collaboration with the UVAL (A Window to Freedom) organization, which provided the necessary links to promote these activities. This alliance made it possible to coordinate efforts and expand the scope of our health days in penitentiary centers. In several cases, state agencies themselves contacted Once Trece to establish a collaboration with their health personnel, creating a synergy in the connection to the public health system of persons deprived of liberty who require special treatments. This joint effort has been key to caring for, for example, those living with HIV, ensuring that they can access the necessary treatments in a continuous and dignified manner.
