Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Nearly seven out of every 10 inmates in Quintana Roo’s prison system are still awaiting a final sentence, according to official data from the National Penitentiary System and the state’s Public Security Department. The backlog has led to overcrowding and operational strain, particularly at the Chetumal Social Reinsertion Center (Cereso).
Of more than 3,600 people incarcerated in the state, just over 1,000 have received a definitive sentence. The rest remain in pretrial detention, with the proportion of unsentenced inmates estimated at 67% to 70% for 2025 and 2026.
The Chetumal facility has become a primary hub for inmates transferred from Cancun and Playa del Carmen, where authorities have sought to reduce risks of criminal self-governance and overcrowding. Those transferred include individuals charged with homicide, armed robbery, drug dealing, kidnapping, and sexual offenses — many still awaiting trial.
Experts warn that prolonged pretrial detention undermines the presumption of innocence and hampers social reintegration. Family members of inmates have reported overcrowding, food shortages, inadequate medical care, and lack of space at the Chetumal prison.
The situation highlights a major challenge for Quintana Roo’s justice system: not only combating crime but also ensuring swift judicial processes to prevent thousands from languishing in jail without a conviction.
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