Alternative measures to the imprisonment of people for committing contraventions in the Machala Canton: violation of human rights inside the Center for Deprivation of Liberty
Abstract
In Ecuador, the exercise of IUS PUNIENDI, managed by the National Assembly, has classified certain minor behaviors as misdemeanors in the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP). These behaviors, considered minor offenses that affect important societal values, are sanctioned with penalties of 1 to 30 days of imprisonment. However, Provisional Detention Centers, such as the one in Machala, have failed in their rehabilitative function, becoming schools of crime with serious issues of infrastructure, sanitation, and overcrowding. This demonstrates that incarcerating offenders for short periods does not achieve their rehabilitation or reintegration as productive citizens. The analysis focuses on the implementation of community service as an alternative to imprisonment for misdemeanors. This measure seeks to replace or suspend the execution of custodial sentences, addressing the contradictions of the current rehabilitation system. It is proposed that criminal legislation include reforms that provide effective alternatives to imprisonment, in line with Article 77, Section 11 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador. Currently, the COIP does not contemplate measures such as community service for misdemeanors, which prevents compliance with the constitutional principles of rehabilitation and social reintegration.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador. (2008). Constitución de la Républica del Ecuador. Iusrectusecart, 449, 1–219. https://bde.fin.ec/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Constitucionultimodif25enero2021.pdf
Calle-Aulestia, H., & Ortega-Peñafiel, S. A. (2022). El derecho de apelación y su vulneración en contravenciones de tránsito que no aplican pena privativa de libertad - Dialnet. Polo Del Conocimiento: Revista Científico - Profesional, 7(2), 994–1015. https://doi.org/10.23857/pc.v7i1.3630
COIP. (2021). Código Orgánico Integral Penal. Registro Oficial - Órgano Del Gobierno Del Ecuador, 144. https://lc.cx/JJPvNT
Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos. (2020). Cuadernillo de Jurisprudencia de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos No. 28: Derecho a la salud.
Corte Nacional de Justicia. (2017). Presidencia de la Corte Nacional de Justicia absolución de consultas criterio no vinculante remitente: Presidente de la Corte Provincial de Justicia Pichincha materia: familia, niñez y adolescencia. https://lc.cx/wt1zVP
Fuentes Cubillos, H. (2008). El principio de proporcionalidad en derecho penal: Algunas consideraciones acerca de su concretización en el ámbito de la individualización de la pena. Ius et Praxis, 14(2), 13–42. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-00122008000200002
Miño, M., & Rodríguez, D. (2021). Medidas alternativas o sustitutivas a la prisión preventiva: ¿Hay un problema de fondo al momento de otorgarlas? Revista Observatorio Derechos y Justicia, 4(8), 3–21.
Morales Peillard, A. M., & Salinero Echeverría, S. (2020). Fundamento político-criminal y naturaleza jurídica de las penas alternativas en Chile. Revista Chilena de Derecho, 47(2), 513–541. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-34372020000200513
Riega-Virú, Y. (2016). Ejecución y cumplimiento de la pena de prestación de servicios a la comunidad. Boletín Mexicano de Derecho Comparado, 49(145), 195–226. https://doi.org/10.22201/iij.24484873e.2016.145.4996
Trejos Robert, S. (2023). La dramaturgia penal. Derecho Penal y Criminología, 45(118), 241–270. https://doi.org/10.18601/01210483.v45n118.08
