The Ministry of the Interior (Mingob) is putting out to tender the purchase of 20 intelligent X-ray scanners to detect drugs, explosives, firearms and ammunition. However, for former prison and Ministry of the Interior officials, the personnel in charge of the devices must be rigorously selected so that they do not fall into corruption and the multi-million dollar purchase is unsuccessful.
The cost of machines with the characteristics detailed on the Guatecompras portal can be between US$20 mil a US$40 mil -unos Q160 mil a Q320 mil- according to current market prices.
The General Directorate of the Penitentiary System argues in the tender specifications that, within the five axes of action of that entity is to ensure the well-being of the prison guards. It added that they must be provided with the necessary supplies for the performance and fulfillment of the institutional objectives.
“It is necessary to acquire a security system with X-ray scanners for packages that are brought in by people or parcels to penitentiary centers, and in this way, reduce the entry of illegal goods into the country’s various prisons,” the argument states.
Ability
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The devices that the Ministry of Public Works is seeking to acquire, according to the technical specifications, must have the capacity to detect liquids, drugs, grenades or explosives, metallic and non-metallic firearms, ammunition, metallic and plastic threads or flammable material. These must also have the capacity to scan the steel to a depth of 40 millimeters.
The contract establishes that the company supplying the equipment will provide training to the assigned personnel on the correct use and configuration of the installed equipment. The closing date for receipt of offers is October 10.
New devices
The former director of the Penitentiary System, Eddy Morales, said that when he took control of the penitentiary system in 2009, he found two machines that had a “similar” function to X-ray machines, but they were not installed. He recalled that one was placed in the Preventive Prison for Men in zone 18 and the other was attempted to be installed in the El Infiernito prison in Escuintla. However, Its system was obsolete and it was decided not to use it because it would not fulfill its function.
According to Morales, prison staff were trained to avoid any contact with other guards, thereby preventing them from becoming involved in corruption.
“It all depends on who is operating these machines, who is managing them. If they put corrupt guards in charge, they will not achieve their objective. In my administration we had a good group of trained guards, We were handling counterintelligence with an infiltrator among them. to verify whether they were using the machines correctly,” he said.
For the former Vice Minister of the Interior, Mario Mérida, the use of these machines will have a great impact in preventing the entry of any illegal object into the prisons. He recommends that the personnel in charge of these machines be outside the institution to avoid complicity with the guards, although this depends on the budget.
“With these machines, the penitentiary system is protected to prevent armed incidents from occurring inside the prisons, but trustworthy personnel must be selected because they will have control of the entrances and exits,” he added.
“Handheld devices to detect illicit objects can work in some cases, because there are innovative ways to break into phones, “mainly inside the body,” Merida said.
The prison and police authorities have indicated on other occasions that the most commonly used methods for bringing in illegal objects are through parcels carried by visitors, not only from family members, but also from defense attorneys.
Prohibited items are hidden in food or candy bags. Small weapons such as pistols or grenades are concealed in some part of the body of the person wearing them.
Calls continue
Although the Ministry of Public Works announced the appointment of specialized personnel to verify the entry of visitors into prisons, investigators from the Anti-Extortion Prosecutor’s Office claim that extortion calls are made within prisons.
Investigators said that last Monday they carried out a search in the El Boquerón prison, Santa Rosa, because several phone calls were being made from that center to extort money. However, the phone number from which the calls were made could not be found.
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#Mingob #seeks #acquire #scanners #prevent #entry #weapons #phones #prisons
What are the anticipated benefits of implementing advanced X-ray scanners in Guatemala’s prisons?
Guatemala to Strengthen Prison Security with Advanced X-ray Scanners
The Ministry of the Interior (Mingob) in Guatemala is taking a significant step towards improving prison security by putting out to tender the purchase of 20 intelligent X-ray scanners. These advanced machines will be capable of detecting drugs, explosives, firearms, and ammunition, providing an additional layer of security in the country’s prisons.
Corruption Concerns
However, former prison and Ministry of the Interior officials have warned that the personnel in charge of the devices must be rigorously selected to prevent corruption and ensure the success of the multi-million dollar purchase. The cost of the machines is estimated to be between US$20 million and US$40 million, a significant investment in the country’s prison security.
Importance of Security
The General Directorate of the Penitentiary System has emphasized the need to ensure the well-being of prison guards and provide them with the necessary supplies to perform their duties effectively. The new X-ray scanners will play a crucial role in reducing the entry of illegal goods into the country’s prisons, which has been a long-standing concern.
Advanced Features
The X-ray scanners that the Ministry of Public Works is seeking to acquire must have the capacity to detect a range of illicit items, including liquids, drugs, grenades or explosives, metallic and non-metallic firearms, ammunition, metallic and plastic threads, and flammable materials. The machines must also be able to scan steel to a depth of 40 millimeters.
Training and Support
The company supplying the equipment will provide training to the assigned personnel on the correct use and configuration of the installed equipment. This is a critical aspect of ensuring the success of the project, as the effectiveness of the X-ray scanners will depend on the skills and expertise of the personnel operating them.
Past Experience
Former director of the Penitentiary System, Eddy Morales, has shared his experience of finding two machines with similar functions to X-ray machines when he took control of the penitentiary system in 2009. However, the machines were deemed obsolete and not used. Morales emphasized the importance of selecting trustworthy personnel to operate the machines, citing his own experience of using counterintelligence to verify whether guards were using the machines correctly.
Expert Recommendations
Former Vice Minister of the Interior, Mario Mérida, has also stressed the importance of selecting personnel who are outside the institution to operate the X-ray scanners, in order to avoid complicity with guards. Mérida believes that the use of these machines will have a significant impact on preventing the entry of illegal objects into the prisons.
Challenges in Prison Security
The prison and police authorities have indicated that prohibited items are often hidden in food or candy bags, and small weapons such as pistols or grenades are concealed in creative ways, including inside the body of the person carrying them. The use of handheld devices to detect illicit objects can be effective in some cases, but corruption and complicity among guards remain significant challenges.
Ongoing Concerns
The Ministry of Public Works’ announcement of the appointment of specialized personnel to verify the entry of visitors into prisons has been welcomed, but investigators from the Anti-Extortion Prosecutor’s Office claim that extortion calls are still being made from within prisons. The issue of corruption and complicity among guards remains a pressing concern, and the success of the X-ray scanner project will depend on the effectiveness of efforts to address these challenges.
the introduction of advanced X-ray scanners in Guatemala’s prisons is a significant step towards improving security and reducing the entry of illegal goods. However, the success of this project will depend on the selection of trustworthy personnel, effective training, and continued efforts to address corruption and complicity among guards.
Efforts to combat corruption
Guatemalan Prisons to Upgrade Security with Intelligent X-ray Scanners: A Step towards Reducing Corruption and Illegal Activities
The Ministry of the Interior in Guatemala has announced a tender for the purchase of 20 intelligent X-ray scanners to detect drugs, explosives, firearms, and ammunition in prisons. This move is part of the government’s effort to enhance security and combat corruption within the penitentiary system. The new devices are expected to play a crucial role in reducing the entry of illegal goods into the country’s prisons, which has been a significant challenge in the past.
Ability
The X-ray scanners, which can detect a wide range of prohibited items, including liquids, drugs, grenades, explosives, metallic and non-metallic firearms, ammunition, and flammable materials, are a major upgrade from the existing security systems. They can scan steel to a depth of 40 millimeters, making them highly effective in detecting hidden objects. The machines will be installed in various prisons across the country, and the personnel in charge of operating them will undergo rigorous training to ensure their effective use.
New Devices
The introduction of these advanced X-ray scanners marks a significant departure from the previous security measures, which were deemed inadequate. The former director of the Penitentiary System, Eddy Morales, revealed that when he took office in 2009, he found two machines that were similar to X-ray machines but were not installed. He also mentioned that one of the machines was placed in a prison in zone 18, but its system was obsolete, and it was decided not to use it.
Morales emphasized the importance of selecting trustworthy personnel to operate the machines, as they would have control over the entrances and exits of the prisons. He also recommended that these personnel be trained to avoid any contact with other guards, thereby preventing them from becoming involved in corruption.
Calls Continue
The use of these advanced X-ray scanners is expected to have a significant impact on preventing the entry of illegal objects into prisons. Former Vice Minister of the Interior, Mario Mérida, believes that these machines will protect the penitentiary system and prevent armed incidents from occurring inside the prisons. He recommends that the personnel in charge of the machines be outside the institution to avoid complicity with the guards, although this depends on the budget.
Mérida also noted that handheld devices to detect illicit objects can work in some cases, but they are not foolproof. He mentioned that innovative ways are being used to break into phones, including hiding them inside the body. Prison and police authorities have indicated that the most commonly used methods for bringing in illegal objects are through parcels carried by visitors, including family members and defense attorneys.
What are the Anticipated Benefits of Implementing Advanced X-ray Scanners in Guatemala’s Prisons?
The implementation of advanced X-ray scanners in Guatemala’s prisons is expected to bring numerous benefits, including:
Reduced entry of illegal goods into prisons
Enhanced security and safety for prison guards and inmates
Prevention of armed incidents and violent crimes within prisons
Increased efficiency in detecting and preventing the smuggling of contraband
* Improved trust in the prison system and the government’s
