Prisoners Escape from Alcaidía 4 Bis in Barracas Amid Security Concerns

Prisoners Escape from Alcaidía 4 Bis in Barracas

Last Sunday, several detainees escaped from the Alcaidía 4 Bis, located in Barracas. Most of them come from the nearby Villa Zavaleta. Two of the escapees have been recaptured, and four police officers face disciplinary action.

The evaders include Jairo Gamarra Canaval, Brian Placencia, Néstor Iván Benítez, Nicolás Ezequiel Pacheco, Franco Emanuel Vega, Henry Quiroz, Agüero Sánchez, Néstor Birraglia, Nicolás Vera, and Josefas Arce, with many having prior theft records. Benítez and Birraglia were recaptured soon after the escape.

At the time of the escape, Barracas experienced a power outage. Reports suggest that the detainees climbed through the roof during the darkness. The Alcaidía’s structure has drawn criticism. The Argentine Chamber of Construction described it as a “traditional construction” with high safety standards but acknowledged the potential for security issues.

This is not the first escape incident in recent months. In August, four detainees escaped from another nearby facility, and earlier in April, two prisoners escaped from Villa Urquiza by cutting through bars.

The recent escape occurs shortly after an agreement between the national and city governments to transfer control of the Federal Penitentiary Service in Buenos Aires, particularly the infamous Devoto Prison. This agreement aims to address the overcrowding issue, as over 2,000 inmates currently reside in local police stations and facilities, which are not intended for long-term detention.

City officials have emphasized the need for federal authorities to take responsibility for these inmates. They argue that most detainees in city facilities are under national jurisdiction and require better security and accommodations. In 2023, a total of 41 escapes occurred in city facilities, with 10 recorded in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Sources indicate the current number of escapes in 2024 stands at 12, with many of the escapees already recaptured.