State Neglects Female Inmates in Quintana Roo Prisons Despite Legal Mandates

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Nearly 300 women incarcerated in Quintana Roo face systemic neglect, violence, and isolation, despite legal guarantees for dignified treatment, according to the National Prison Supervision Diagnostic (DNSP) of the National Human Rights Commission.

Female inmates in the state are often housed in mixed-gender facilities, where infrastructure, workshops, and daily activities are designed primarily for men. Overcrowding is widespread, reducing the quality of living spaces, and health services are deficient, with inmates reporting a lack of specialized medical personnel, gynecological care, and psychological support.

One of the most critical issues is motherhood in prison. According to the DNSP, only 75% of infants living with their mothers in Quintana Roo prisons have access to medical care, 50% receive psychological attention, 75% have access to medication, and only 50% receive vaccinations. The state fails to provide quality nutrition, schooling, adequate clothing, shoes, toys, and school materials for these children.

“This undermines the quality of life of any child living with their mother in prison, a situation that is already difficult for the little ones to understand,” said psychologist Cristian Hernández Villareal, a child psychology specialist.

On May 6, state government secretary Cristina Torres Gómez said efforts are ongoing to build a fairer, more dignified prison system that respects human rights. However, inmates report a different reality.

“Mayra,” an inmate serving a sentence for attempted homicide against her former partner after failing to prove self-defense, said women face discrimination, exploitation, and human rights violations. “Because of our physical condition, we have different needs than men. A basic example: every month we have to get sanitary pads or some garment to deal with our period. Not to mention food, the forced labor we are subjected to. Most of us are insinuated to engage in prostitution with inmates or guards,” she said.

A 2020 report by the Quintana Roo State Human Rights Commission found critical issues in prisons in Cancún, Chetumal, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Most women are held in mixed centers where they are a minority, leading to infrastructure and activities tailored to men. Overcrowding and deficient health services are common, and spaces for children living with their mothers are insufficient for healthy development.

The National Human Rights Commission issued specific recommendations in November 2020, but the state government only held a videoconference last week to discuss progress. The government said advances include general medical, psychological, mammography, optometry, audiology, nutrition, and clinical laboratory services for female inmates, as well as job training workshops. However, Mayra said none of these have reached her facility.

Under the National Law on Criminal Execution, women have the right to keep custody of children under three years old, and prison authorities must provide adequate nutrition, early education, clothing, pediatric care, and suitable facilities. But authorities in Quintana Roo are not complying, according to the DNSP.

Civil organizations and human rights commissions recommend that the state guarantee the integrity of inmates, prevent cruel or degrading treatment, evaluate living conditions, ensure adequate staffing and security, and provide education, training, and family contact. They also call for specific attention to women, people with disabilities, older adults, and children living with their mothers.

During the recent videoconference, state officials including Public Security Secretary Julio César Gómez Torres and Human Rights Undersecretary María Hadad Castillo agreed to hold gender-focused training this month for staff at the Chetumal prison.