In the nation of El Salvador, Central America, there is a prison that has become the focus of an international debate on security, the fight against criminal gangs, and human rights. The prison is known as the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), a Spanish name meaning the Center for Detaining People Associated with Terrorism.

CECOT is a high‑security prison built under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele. The country's government has given the prison a key role in its campaign against criminal gangs, including MS‑13 and Barrio 18, which for many years have been linked to murders, extortion, threats and the laundering of money earned through illegal activities.

Although CECOT is often described as one of the most dangerous prisons in the world, there is no single international metric that officially confirms it as the most dangerous. Nevertheless, its size, its strict security procedures and the debate over inmate conditions have made it one of the most talked‑about prisons worldwide.

Prison with a capacity of 40,000 inmates

CECOT is located in the area of Tecoluca, in the department of San Vicente, about 75 kilometres from El Salvador’s capital, San Salvador.

The prison was inaugurated on January 31, 2023, under President Bukele’s administration. The government announced that it can house up to 40,000 inmates at one time, making it one of the largest prison facilities in Central and South America by the announced capacity.

According to reports published by Human Rights Watch, the prison is divided into eight inmate housing sections. A building layout study showed the existence of 256 cells, with the number of sleeping spaces in those cells giving an estimated capacity of more than 20,400 people. This differs from the 40,000‑person capacity announced by the government.

Inmates leaving the prison

High security and inmate life

CECOT was built with a focus on high‑level security. Large walls, inspection systems, surveillance cameras and guards are part of the system that controls the prison’s activities.

Reports released at its 2023 inauguration said that security involved approximately 600 soldiers and 250 police officers. Human Rights Watch also noted that the facility has additional infrastructure related to guard operations and inmate management.

Authorized photos and videos from inside CECOT have shown inmates in cells with metal beds arranged in rows, while guards monitor their movements.

According to visit reports reported by the media, inmates face a strict schedule and limited time out of their cells. Communication with people outside has also been one of the concerns raised by human‑rights organisations.


Bukele’s war against criminal gangs

For many years, gangs such as MS‑13 and Barrio 18 have wielded significant influence in various parts of the country. Residents in some communities lived under threats, forced extortion of money and the violence associated with those groups.

In March 2022, after a sharp rise in murders, President Bukele’s government declared a state of emergency that allowed authorities to carry out large‑scale operations to arrest individuals suspected of gang involvement.