Deported individuals from the US to the infamous Cecot prison in El Salvador are reportedly enduring conditions comparable to those faced by convicted criminals, as stated by prison director Belarmino GarcÃa during an exclusive CNN tour—the first by a US news outlet since recent deportation flights commenced. GarcÃa confirmed that these deportees receive no special treatment, echoing claims that they are kept in communal cells housing up to 100 inmates for 23.5 hours daily, with no personal possessions allowed.
CNN’s sources indicate that while the living facilities are uniform, the structure surrounding daily routines may vary. Prisoners are confined to cells furnished only with stacked metal bunks lacking mattresses, alongside shared sanitation facilities. Among the 278 men deported under the Trump administration, many are accused gang affiliates, notably from the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua or El Salvador’s MS-13. However, not all those deported fall under such allegations; for example, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia—a Maryland father—was mistakenly deported due to an administrative blunder, currently facing the US Supreme Court concerning his status.
CNN was prohibited from entering the high-security Sector 8 of Cecot, which houses the deportees, but GarcÃa did provide some insight into the prison’s operational protocols. Inmates appearing in court are escorted from their cells to video conference facilities to participate in hearings. This unit contains essential medical services, and all movement within the facility is closely monitored—illustrating the extreme oversight applied to both convicted individuals and detainees.
Conditions in Cecot have drawn criticism, especially under a long-standing state of emergency declared by President Nayib Bukele, which has led to the suspension of many constitutional guarantees. Reports suggest numerous wrongful detentions, with some errors already rectified through the release of thousands of individuals.
Cecot, which was built swiftly and opened in January 2023, currently approaches its maximum capacity of 40,000 inmates, with significant numbers of Salvadorans continuing to be detained due to ongoing crackdowns. The prison is heavily fortified, comprising electrified fencing and numerous guard towers, and staffed by a rotating contingent of armed personnel.
For critics, Cecot exemplifies a disturbing trend towards the erosion of human rights. Conversely, many citizens within El Salvador view it as a necessary measure for restoring order in a country previously plagued by violent crime. The response from US officials like Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has reiterated that such facilities serve as stark consequences for undocumented migrants committing offences, underlining a broader policy stance towards deterring illegal immigration into the United States.