Quintana Roo’s Ambitious Plan for 2.5 Billion Peso Prison

The Secretary of Citizen Security, Julio César Gómez Torres, has announced plans for a new prison in Quintana Roo. This proposal has been in the works for some time, with significant progress made under the previous federal administration, which authorized the necessary studies.

With the current government, efforts are ongoing to bring this project to fruition. The new penitentiary center, potentially located in the northern region of the state, is expected to require an investment of over 2.5 billion pesos. Given the magnitude of this sum, the state is unable to fund the project independently and is seeking federal support.

An executive project has already been developed, and with the change in administration, steps are being taken to secure federal backing. The need for improved prison infrastructure has been recognized, with Cancún being considered as a potential location for the new facility. The precise timeline for construction, however, remains uncertain.

Authorities have been informed that previous attempts to alleviate pressure on Quintana Roo's prisons have fallen short of expectations. This has led to a call for the construction of a new social reintegration center to increase the capacity of the prison system.

The budget allocated to the department is insufficient to shoulder the cost of a new prison, making federal support crucial. The state currently operates three prisons, located in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Chetumal. The need for a new facility is particularly acute in Benito Juárez, where the existing prison is now virtually within the urban area. As a result, the focus is on pushing forward with the new center.