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My time in prison
La Paz, Bolivia
Howdy all.Unfortunately LB got a bout of stomach problems (she is a delicate little thing) so we spent a few extra days in La Paz on R&R.So what should I do with a bit of free time to myself?Go to a 3rd world prison of course!
For those of you who have read the book "Marching Powder" you will already be aware of this place, San Pedro Prison.Located in the centre of town, this must rate as one of the most bizarre places on earth.
My experience starts outside the prison where I was approached by the guards, yes the guards, to see if I wanted a tour inside.Before you ask, visiting the prison is actually a fairly common "touristy" thing to do in La Paz (although it is not officially allowed).I was whisked through a side gate without any searching, metal detectors or checking the contents of my backpack where I was then greeted by a white South African inmate, Pete, my guide.Pete was spending 4 years in San Pedro for drug trafficking.He was also showing around 7 other "visitors", all of who happened to be Australian.
You see, San Pedro prison is not your ordinary prison, it's more like a city within a city. Corruption is part of daily life. The inmates are required to buy their accommodation, ranging from $20 for a cramped space under the stairs to $5,000 for a luxury penthouse apartment complete with jacuzzi.Many of the 1,500 mostly violent criminals are able to freely roam around and talk freely about the bizarre goings-on.Wives and children come and go, drugs are openly consumed and in fact cocaine is manufactured inside and widely distributed.
All this takes place partly because the Government cannot afford to pay for appropriate cells, food, basic healthcare and so on so the prisoners pay for it themselves.Those who do not have external sources of income must work inside the prison for those who do.
I was taken on a tour of the "A class" wing although the rooms are still fairly basic - think cheap university accommodation.But inmates do have TV's, DVD players, fridges, cookers, double beds etc.The "cells" surround an open courtyard which is flanked by small restaurants and shops where they can buy almost anything that you could get on the outside.
Although it was interesting to hear his story, my guide Pete was a complete loser.Still takes drugs every day.It was difficult to get much sense out of him, he kept losing track of what he was saying and going off on complete tangents.A good advertisement for saying no to drugs!The guy was very upfront about what he had done and even openly took cocaine in front of us (see pics).He even offered it around - but don't worry mum I didn't have any!
After the tour and an hour sitting in his cell listening to him talk crap it was time to depart.Again, no searching or anything.Just pass over my 250 bolivianos ($35) which goes manly to pay off the guards.Strange but true.
Was it worth it? I'm not convinced. Better off if you read the book.
Hope all is well,
MT
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