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Where is CECOT? -

The Terrorism Confinement Center is located in the town of Tecoluca, about 45 miles (72 km) east of the capital San Salvador.

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Facilities -

CECOT is divided into eight pavilions, and has a total capacity of 40,000 inmates.

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Cells -

Prisoners are placed in large cells with other inmates. Each cell holds 65 to 70 prisoners.

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Conditions -

This is no ordinary prison. Inmates don’t have access to any type of rehabilitation programs (i.e. no educational programs or anything that might help them integrate society).

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Exception -

The only exceptions are motivational talks from other prisoners. Inmates sit in rows in the corridor and listen to the talks previously approved by guards.

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Exercise -

In addition to the talks, inmates are also instructed by the guards to exercise.

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Restrictive -

Inmates are never allowed outside, and they don’t receive visits.

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Dangerous -

In 2024, the human rights organization Cristosal said that at least 261 people have died in El Salvador prisons.

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First inmates -

The first group of 2,000 detainees was moved to CECOT on February 24, 2023.

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El Salvador prison -

Pictured: inmates walk under the rain as they arrive at El Salvador's Terrorist Confinement Center.

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Handcuffed -

A CECOT inmate is handcuffed with a plastic cable tie.

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Arrival -

Pictured: inmates belonging to the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs arrive in CECOT. Guards wear masks to protect their identity.

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Security cameras -

A prison officer monitors the security cameras at Latin America's biggest prison.

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Thousands of inmates -

Inmates wait as 2,000 detainees are moved to El Salvador's mega-prison.

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Crime rate -

El Salvador has one of highest crime rates in Latin America.

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Cells -

CECOT's cells are basic and are shared by dozens of inmates.

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Gear -

Pictured: the helmets of prison security officers at the Terrorism Confinement Center.

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Together -

Detainees line up close together as they move inside the prison.

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Large capacity -

El Salvador's mega-prison has a large capacity—enough to receive US prisoners if needed.

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Guards -

Prison officers stand on a pavilion inside El Salvador's mega-prison.

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Riot gear -

Officers in riot gear stand patrol by the cells at CECOT.

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New arrivals -

This handout from the press secretary of the presidency of El Salvador shows the arrival of gang members to the new prison.

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Gate -

A prison officer stands at the gate inside CECOT.

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Prison guards -

Prison guards stand outside the cells at the Terrorism Confinement Center.

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Bird's-eye view -

A bird's-eye view of inmates moving through El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center.

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Gangs -

Thousands of gang members are imprisoned in the "largest prison in the Americas."

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On the move -

Inmates move through the prison under the supervision of guards.

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Cells -

These are the cells US criminals may end up being incarcerated in.

Sources: (Associated Press) (NPR) (BBC)

See also: A history of prisons and their vile practices

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