VALPARAISO, Chile — What began as a survival tactic within the harsh confines of the Valparaíso Penitentiary Complex has blossomed into something far greater: Chile’s first official rugby team formed entirely behind bars. Rugby Unión Libertad isn’t just about tackles, rucks, and mauls; it’s a program meticulously designed to prepare inmates for reintegration into society.
The routine is demanding, mirroring that of a professional league. Three days are dedicated to field training, two to gym work, and weekends are reserved for matches. But the intensity isn’t merely physical. It’s a deliberate effort to instill discipline, self-control, and a sense of purpose in individuals often stripped of those qualities.
“Rugby freed me; it healed my soul,” Alex Javier Silva, 48, who has been incarcerated since 1999, told the Associated Press. “Here you have no heart, no mind — you’re not at peace with anything. You’re like an animal.” Silva’s words encapsulate the transformative power the sport has had on many within the prison walls.
The origins of Rugby Unión Libertad trace back to 2016, initially as a workshop led by the Addiction Treatment Center. Around 50 inmates were drawn to the sport, finding in its physicality a way to channel their frustrations and anxieties. Over time, the workshop evolved into a fully-fledged club, culminating in a historic match against the Chilean national team, Los Cóndores, in 2024.
Beyond the pitch, the team has become the cornerstone of the Fundación Libertad (Freedom Foundation), a nonprofit established in November 2025. The foundation provides comprehensive support to released prisoners, offering professional training, therapy, and crucially, connections with potential employers. “They want to change,” said Cynthia Canales, a psychologist and former national rugby player who serves as president of the foundation. “We also want to show that there is a lack of opportunities, that we have to address the stigma.”
A Channel for Anger and a Path to Control
The benefits of rugby extend beyond physical fitness. Jorge Henríquez, 42, explained that the sport provides a crucial outlet for the intense emotions prevalent within the prison system. “Violence is rampant here,” he said. “There’s a lot of rage; sometimes you explode for no reason, and so (with rugby) you regulate that, you start to distance yourself from conflicts so that rage doesn’t resurface.”
The Valparaíso Penitentiary Complex, operating at nearly double its capacity, faces significant challenges with overcrowding, hygiene, and internal violence. Coach Leopoldo Cerda, who has spearheaded the project since its inception, emphasized the difficulty of maintaining a demanding training regimen under such conditions. “People sleep poorly, eat poorly, and yet they have the physical and mental strength to overcome many obstacles that this sport presents,” he noted. He added that the changes in the players’ attitudes have been remarkable, particularly in their ability to master self-control and manage anger.
The team’s success has also inspired other inmates to strive for inclusion. Gonzalo Delgado, another coach, observed, “New guys keep arriving. They see from the cellblocks how they train and start preparing, even improving their behavior so they can train.” Participation is contingent upon good behavior and a commitment to teamwork.
Isaac Falcón Espinace, the head of the Valparaíso Penitentiary Complex, believes rugby offers inmates a constructive way to utilize their time. “Many crimes are committed because people don’t know how to use their free time properly,” he said. “rugby gives inmates the opportunity to not use it for actions that go against society once they’re free.”
Touching the Sky and Building a Future
The year 2024 marked a pivotal moment for Unión Libertad. The team stepped outside the prison walls to face Los Cóndores, a symbolic gesture that garnered national attention. “It was an epic battle,” recalled Silva. “Nobody has ever done that in Chile. And there we were, some mere prisoners, playing against them. Everyone was watching, we were on TV.”
The match served as a catalyst for increased support and visibility for the program. The Freedom Foundation has been instrumental in providing ongoing support to former inmates, offering continued training and assistance with job placement. Now, former inmates train as part of “All Free,” a branch of Unión Libertad that allows them to continue their rugby journey outside of prison.
The story of Rugby Unión Libertad is more than just a sports narrative; it’s a testament to the power of rehabilitation and the potential for positive change within the criminal justice system. It’s a story of finding freedom, not just from physical confinement, but from the internal struggles that led to incarceration in the first place.