Examining Venezuela's Prison System

A recent, monthlong riot in a Venezuelan prison complex has highlighted the conditions of the country's overcrowded, corrupt and violent prison system. The Venezuelan government has almost no control inside these prisons, which are instead dominated by inmate leaders known as "pranes." The Venezuelan government has made some attempts to reform the system, but any changes would have to be made with the approval of pranes loath to relinquish their monopoly on power.