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Peru alters foreign inmate rules | Peru alters foreign inmate rules |
(1 day later) | |
Peru has passed a law allowing foreign prisoners to transfer their sentences to their home countries. | |
The majority of foreign prisoners in Peru, the world's second biggest cocaine producer, are serving terms for drug trafficking. | The majority of foreign prisoners in Peru, the world's second biggest cocaine producer, are serving terms for drug trafficking. |
More than 1,000 - many of them from Europe - will now be able to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries. | |
Jails in Peru are dangerous and unhealthily overcrowded. | |
The majority of European prisoners - more than 170 - are from Spain, outnumbering inmates from Latin American countries. | The majority of European prisoners - more than 170 - are from Spain, outnumbering inmates from Latin American countries. |
There are also more than 100 Dutch prisoners. | There are also more than 100 Dutch prisoners. |
Almost all were caught trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country in their luggage and sometimes in their bodies. | Almost all were caught trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country in their luggage and sometimes in their bodies. |
Administrative limbo | Administrative limbo |
As most of them could not afford to pay a transfer fee of up to $800 (£538) as well as legal fees, they have had to serve their sentences in Peru. | As most of them could not afford to pay a transfer fee of up to $800 (£538) as well as legal fees, they have had to serve their sentences in Peru. |
In the majority of cases, they will now automatically be sent home to serve their sentences. | In the majority of cases, they will now automatically be sent home to serve their sentences. |
Until now, those released on probation could find themselves in an administrative limbo. | Until now, those released on probation could find themselves in an administrative limbo. |
Some have spent up to four years living in Peru without being allowed to work, and unable to leave without paying hefty fines. | Some have spent up to four years living in Peru without being allowed to work, and unable to leave without paying hefty fines. |
Peruvian Justice Minister Rosario Fernandez said the change in the law will help cut costs for the state and reduce overcrowding for Peruvian inmates. | Peruvian Justice Minister Rosario Fernandez said the change in the law will help cut costs for the state and reduce overcrowding for Peruvian inmates. |
For Peru, which attracts millions of tourists every year but is also the second biggest producer of cocaine, it is a humane way to share the growing problem of drug trafficking. | For Peru, which attracts millions of tourists every year but is also the second biggest producer of cocaine, it is a humane way to share the growing problem of drug trafficking. |
The street price for a gram of cocaine in Peru is less than $5 while it can fetch more than $100 in Europe. | The street price for a gram of cocaine in Peru is less than $5 while it can fetch more than $100 in Europe. |
With potentially huge profits to be earned, Peru's airports are catching more and more drug smugglers. | With potentially huge profits to be earned, Peru's airports are catching more and more drug smugglers. |
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