Colombian Minister Investigates Fast-Track Community Service for Inmate

Minister of Government Dinoska Montalvo stated that a technical committee is advancing an investigation because there are people who have been in the system for two or three years and are waiting for their evaluation to be done, which has not happened. "This person entered today and in 15 days had this (community service), which is irregular. That raises an alarm when we have so many pending procedures," Montalvo clarified. Montalvo explained that "La Parce" had been fighting to be allowed to do community service, a measure that was initially denied and she immediately entered the penitentiary system, where she remained while "the procedures her lawyers had to handle were being processed because she has that right," she said. Montalvo emphasized that the Penitentiary System does not grant measures such as community service; only judges do that, she assured. Minister of Government Dinoska Montalvo detailed that two months ago, when Colombian Katherine Carvalho entered the system, a very particular situation arose. This means they found cell phones, which are prohibited in these centers. However, what really set off all the alarms was that "La Parce" was benefited in record time with a change of measure: community service after being convicted for money laundering. With Carvalho in the system, Montalvo recounts, "a very particular situation does occur, we even found cell phones within the system and two months ago this investigation began." Additionally, the minister confirmed that the director of the Female Rehabilitation Center (Cefere) has been transferred.