Inside the jail where prisoners rule and families move in | 7NEWS Spotlight

It’s the strangest prison on Earth - an overcrowded penitentiary in the heart of a South American city where the prisoners run the show. Inside Bolivia’s San Pedro Prison, there are no guards and a hardcore population of violent and dangerous criminals, many of whom live with their wives & kids. There are drug factories and a brutal code of justice. There are also restaurants, schools, barber shops and, believe it or not, even a booming real estate trade. 15 years ago, Australian author Rusty Young went undercover in this complex community to expose the corruption and violence. Now Rusty returns to take Denham Hitchcock inside the gaol they can’t shut down. This story originally aired in 2015.
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[@auntyvenom133]

Better for children to be safe with their parent's in prison than left at the mercy of strangers in foster care. Too many children are horribly abused in foster care

[@tarstarkusz]

I fully agree.

[@lifetree7177]

If they have all this freedom, what is the point of calling it a prison?

[@kims364]

Lol true!!

[@alison4316]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@fsaujnjfa]

bc then cant be controlled

[@kiklrgggyhh5796]

Because the can't leave

[@aj-sz8mu]

the point of most prisons is to simply keep them away from society. If we really want to change prisoners, they would be assigned psychiatrists.

[@JRM1371]

4:35 "...secretly filming from the hotel..." 4:36 prisoner waves Hello! 🤣🤣🤣

[@User_92020]

😂

[@paulthomas3841]

I call them Hotels

[@kiethosmon792]

Shout out to the camera guy he is the real MVP

[@PrinnyMoni]

Yes he is

[@aneesakhan9978]

feel so bad for the innocent kids

[@Kiwiiforfan]

They aren't innocent they are children of murderers

[@nika300]

They go out to school evedy day and come back. The authority let's them live like this so the family is together

[@queenie.lawyergirl.pittymom]

I do too but it's not Canada or the US, they wouldn't go to a wonderful foster home there they'd be on the street with no help from the gov. Kind of a lose lose situation

[@sihledlamz7440]

This is not a prison , this is just another dangerous neighborhood

[@TheLordHighXcutioner]

Rusty should give all proceeds from this book to the inmates with families.

[@bryanelam7431]

I can't believe he is still alive, 4months in and he even returns later,damn! He has way more courage than me, impressive!

[@JustJokes5150]

White with a camera & money

[@beyondthestars4299]

Who

[@MarionTaylor-zn2yp]

And way more money too you know he paid to be there

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

This is bar none in the top 10 documentaries I've seen this year. Bravo to all involved. This is reality TV we will see nowhere else!!! 👏👏👏👏

[@alison4316]

Sidenote...12:22.... *That* shirt on *that* guy is so hilarious 😆

[@X2behav]

Oh my god 😂

[@yardleyj9391]

I noticed it also.

[@NZnolimit]

Lipstick lesbian 🤣

[@maryannswanson3832]

It is definitely safer to have them inside than outside. They have their own brand of justice that keeps the children safely under their watch. Only 2 fatalities is safer than in normal living conditions. This would be an absolute deterent for child molesters as being put in this prison is a torturous death sentence. It is so interesting with the different living conditions and restaurants, having a doctor too, in for murdering his wife, but he still has his skills. 😲🤔

[@smileycoast5331]

😂😂 just ridiculous I can't believe this video honestly

[@tellmemore8837]

It's not a prison but, another shanty town.

[@jiyakuches220]

I agree, I guess it was formerly a proper prison to the most violent town inside Boliva's major city.

[@geminienergy]

Can they leave?

[@totoayemi6872]

Its not a prison but a criminal hub where the criminals are protected to do whatever they want

[@bunnyb5171]

At least they're separated from the weak.

[@JJ-ed4tk]

criminals are weak 😁

[@Monatio79]

What happens once the kids come of age ? Are they kicked out and forced to live life on the outside or do they stay even though they aren't criminals themselves ?

[@ezemeza1363]

They can leave whenever they want

[@BrandyD1777]

The little boy that waves so happily, unaware....the innocence can only be kept for so long 💔 Edit: Oh my.....then the little girl 💔

[@fsaujnjfa]

When was the timestamp

[@BrandyD1777]

@@fsaujnjfa Around 7:18 and 9:41.... Hope that helps

[@fsaujnjfa]

@@BrandyD1777 thanks

[@BrandyD1777]

@@fsaujnjfa 👍 No problem

[@siouxd799]

She was mimicking smoking a cigarette😞

[@deliafernandez3870]

This Video was very informative. Really enjoyed it.

[@roncox1172]

Rusty is an absolute maniac for putting himself in there

[@queenie.lawyergirl.pittymom]

I've seen worst. A few years back I watched a show on a jail that seemed like paradise. It had restaurants, stores,ect. The girl who murdered her mom and put her in a suitcase is housed there which is really sad. She was grinning ear to ear in there

[@jingyun4323]

It's quite brilliant. Keeps the trouble off the streets. No liability for taxpayers, as the inmates pay for themselves. They have their own code of conduct. Why not?

[@fredicagbyrd-shannon2123]

U S damn near paying for themselves with that keefe commisary 1000 percent markup. Maybe we caught it try it. Inmates will have more humanity

[@draculicacid6927]

It's the best of a bad situation.this is bcoz of fukn drug laws doing more harm than good. 80% are in there bcoz of drugs.

[@finding.nirvana]

Yes why not!!! BUT what about the children dude?

[@alexandermitchell3845]

No chance for rehabilitation if you're dishing out prison justice.

[@Kiwiiforfan]

@@alexandermitchell3845 there is never any chance of "rehabilitation".. if you murder someone , how do you come back from that? its done , doesn't matter how much you regret it

[@lordaimelord7848]

How can you call that a prison? It's a gated community. It's a township. Perhaps it's an old prison.

[@guymontag9577]

It's a Penal Colony.

[@alison4316]

How is this happening??? Absolutely the most corrupt thing I've ever seen.

[@debbiepalmer6024]

I see many children's rights being abused here. Where is UNICEF in all this 😕

[@UncleBen-fd5xi]

In almost every if not every south American country the criminals are ruling. The country is poor and they have all the money. Nothing the government can do because the criminals have people from the government, police & military working for them and mostly its the boss of the police or military so there is really nothing that can happen. That’s a complete opposite world then we are used to. This is corruption on another level.

[@justineseitzinger5340]

A completely agree with the man who said if the prison was ran with more monitoring and regulation, it would be a very good model of a progressive prison. It's a fine line between allowing men to still keep their integrity, a sense of purpose, a sense of community which creates a lot less room for danger/resentment/depression/despair, but then also remembering that prison is supposed to be a form of punishment, a consequence to a horrible choice or mistake made by the prisoners. With that said, I think we often forget that along with the punishment aspect, the prisoners are also meant to be rehabilitated as well. Very interesting video!

[@kims364]

I agree with you! Well said.

[@puraLusa]

It's a pretend prison because they can't declare oficially they lost the war on drugs cause they are even more afraid of the murica military might. So they do pretend prisons.

[@justineseitzinger5340]

@@puraLusa I'm not sure what exactly you're trying to say?

[@puraLusa]

@@justineseitzinger5340 what part of the war on drugs is lost 🤷‍♀️

[@ezemeza1363]

The punishment is to be locked.

[@chris-hu7tm]

This is actually kinda cool except for the children, most of them work and do something meaningful that could translate to the outside world when they get out. Interesting way to rehabilitate prisoners even if they stumbled across it because they wanted to save money

[@DinoCism]

It's almost like poverty is the real prison.

[@lenaely6146]

💛💯🍀

[@zeernebooch]

When you see *CocaCola* advertisement inside of the prison: *IRONIC*

[@rolexomega8888]

ONLY CARE ABOUT THIS INNOCENT KIDS.MAY GOD PROTECT THEM AND FREE FRM THAT HE'LL.🙏🙏🙏

[@tinyGrim1]

This is everywhere in poor communities, way of life for some. Sad, sad ,sad.

[@kiklrgggyhh5796]

Why?

[@MrBombastic_007]

what hell?..Thats heaven for them..if they are out from there..They will either do crime or died

[@wolfstar5815]

Asking others to help on your behalf like this does nothing except maybe give a false sense of accomplishment My two cents anyway

[@dominichanna8904]

That's just your opinion the kids don't know any better than there living conditions yours a great because you love in a wealthy country, the kids are safer in there than out of there so that says slot

[@bongcalugas9473]

It's ironic that most prisons are being run this way,,,basically it's the same way in our prisons here in the Philippines main reason would be is that the government lacks the initiative and funds to run a much more rehabilitating structure in terms of prison management,,,or simply that they don't care becasuse of corruption is well imbeded in the system.

[@needmoreramsay]

I'm ok with the treatment of sex offenders. They need to prevent it from happening inside as well.

[@mandymoore5774]

That little girl in the end is so adorable.

[@becarly6108]

this is so outragious.. is this even prison?!

[@becarly6108]

@Heather Elliott 😂😂😂

[@Azure2607]

I would argue "being a prisoner in San pedro is easier than living free as a civilian" 🤔👀👀

[@richardevans1434]

Have you done jail there ??? And got no money no family ?? Just your arse hole ! Buy vasaline my friend ?

[@richardevans1434]

Who ever said that as never been in jail I promise you

[@rpres5228]

Maybe for someone of your questionable lifestyle yes. But for men that don't enjoy the sword fighting thing I don't think so! Lol

[@richardevans1434]

@@rpres5228 my grandad told me never bend down in in prison showers all ways get a new piece !

[@richardevans1434]

@beentheredonethat he was a knight of the realm SIR Graham Mcmillan MP who's uncle was sir Howard Mcmillan the ex prime minister ?

[@feliciafelicia6965]

Honestly aside from having the women and kids in there, this seems like an effective way for prisons to save money

[@cloj4754]

Exactly, if the men and women want to live like animals let them. Just keep the children out of it.

[@RoadTeamers]

Capitalism has infected your mind. You think “saving money” when you think about crime? Wtf? The criminal Justice system is one part of our government which money should play little role in and rehabilitation, reformation, education, and reintegration should be the goal. No matter how much that costs. Capitalism is such a brain disease that even if the outcome is worse; i.e a society with more crime, so long as you “save money” you would welcome that. Tsk tsk tsk

[@atulalkr7813]

More like a gated community then prison.

[@davidgoldberg5694]

Lmao. A gated summer camp with parties, apartments, and fight clubs.

[@ucnhtmenow1]

This was the first prison in a documentary that I've seen where prisoners have countless amounts of guns inside and the guards know but don't/can't really do anything about it. The guards don't even go inside of the actual prison. They just guard the perimeter of it.

[@ericcameron3263]

It’s like that in majority of Spanish speaking places

[@ucnhtmenow1]

@@ericcameron3263 Oh hell no. That's nuts. But hey, I guess it seems to work. I'm sure a lot of the killings never got the press but you never hear about shootings in these prisons.

[@proVShow]

watch the Venezuela prison doc on youtube. inmates run their prisons too

[@r.g.6054]

If the camera on the hotel recoding secretly why the guys on the roof wawing hands? If the camera inside is hidden why some people inside hiding their faces? Nothing hidden at all they just dramatized so could sound more dangerous.

[@JakeTapeWallets]

The way people live in other countries absolutely blows my mind. They are all okay with it too. Like tell me how a country can remain this way for decades? It’s the people I hate to say it.

[@i.g.manifestuniverse.6538]

Hmmm I would say corrupt governments

[@SPILLINTEA_]

Obviously it’s the government. You think the people want to live like this? They obviously have no choice. They sell drugs to survive. There aren’t proper jobs around every corner. They can’t just give up whatever they’re doing and be a cashier. Just think my guy. Gosh you just be racist for this comment..blaming the people for their country failing them 🤦‍♀️

[@lenaely6146]

America,nor Europe, is any better.

[@sik59rt]

You’d think you maybe wanna blend in if you’re visiting there. Does anyone ever get out ?

[@Ti5qu4ntum]

The last look back that Mr Rusty Young gave the prison at 17:14 is chilling. I felt his nervousness.

[@quecreations3244]

Music and sound effects will do that. If they was playing Over The Rainbow from the Wizard Of Oz, you might would of thought differently.

[@yh.99999]

@@quecreations3244 😂 ur not wrong

[@icelady2000]

Read the book marching powder, it is fascinating.

[@christianwilliams2068]

What an I seeing here in 2021. This is not prison this is a place of Lawlessness. I am so sorry for the kids.

[@Kiwiiforfan]

What does this mean?

[@erenestawanjiru1935]

My Heart Goes To The Kids... Very 😭😭😭

[@dalelessard9160]

Why would you need your shoes shined in prison, it's not like you're going anywhere??!!

[@richardevans1434]

It's just a excuse to get you to bend over ddeerrrr

[@imshaunnurse]

People shine their shoes in prisons. Especially military style work camps. In America.

[@Rebecca-hc5ju]

Most people in Latin and South America polish their shoes and iron their clothes. Even t-shirts and jeans.

[@lesliebean4594]

If only we could build a “city” similar (minus the innocent children) for all pedo’s, rapists, and murderers. Let them do whatever they do to one another and keep their depravity away from civilization... what a beautiful world this would be.

[@maryannswanson3832]

That actually is a pretty good idea! 🤔

[@rachidmustafa9512]

its called Australia 🇦🇺

[@puraLusa]

@@rachidmustafa9512 thanks I was gonna say something around that.

[@AlphaAchilles]

That was George Carlin’s idea too.

[@richardevans1434]

But these prisoners get out no education no hope saw WELL done !!! a sociaty is judged by the way it treats it's prisoners ?? Matt magandi ??? Switzerland and Denmark treat prisoners as people and the reaffending rates are low

[@Jay2tha206]

Rusty wouldn’t be there if there was a real threat.

[@KB-cy5jf]

We need prisons like that in the USA!!!!!

[@johnromero3842]

Hell ya I down with that...

[@tacosatlarge]

I wish prisons were mini-nations and cities like this but with fair and efficient regulations for inmates.

[@lenaely6146]

💯🍀😇

[@penrymbambu5]

And the cycle of crime continues because most times environment shapes character!

[@davidgoldberg5694]

Not really

[@siouxd799]

A fantastic book!!

[@scrapswithsarah]

All I can think as i watch this is ... “WHAT?” 😳

[@sydm2017]

I remember reading this book in jail in 2oo2 and reread it lol 2004. Great book 📚 I Lov my Latin people con amor de dios 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@BEACH.LUVER101]

That book is so popular inside, took me ages to get it in 04

[@sydm2017]

@@BEACH.LUVER101 oh really we’re u from

[@BEACH.LUVER101]

@@sydm2017 Melbourne....was in Port Phillip when I got it

[@henrybacon4622]

I read it in Norwich jail in 2012

[@bookbeing]

Everyone looks a lot happier here than in the jails and prisons we have in the United States. Self determination and dignity is a powerful thing. If drugs were decriminalized there, their inmate headcount would likely be a fraction of the current count.

[@williegordon7899]

If prisons was like this in the United States don't you think more people would want to be in prison?

[@sagetaluy7800]

@@williegordon7899 it would be self regulating. Those that want in are in those that want out are out and we wont be paying for it.

[@hellohello.742]

Its a whole little town of their own in there .. Mind blowing

[@imshaunnurse]

Wow so they're bringing their families to keep them with a roof. Committing crimes for shelter. That's crazy

[@ghbnhghjk]

Hope they don't shut it down. I want to visit and try some of that marching powder.

[@ghbnhghjk]

@Heather Elliott yeah I'd love to go in for the day and stock up, not everyone in there would be scumbags

[@ericpaulthompson1386]

You a foolish guy Yashed but I bet its that raw dog

[@djibsondasilva454]

Too bad it's already been shut down buddy.

[@maryannswanson3832]

Holy moly! That is unbelievable! At least a lot of prisoners are in one place but, GEEZ. 😲😬😱🤢

[@i.g.manifestuniverse.6538]

Kind of ignorant comment while knowing how corrupt governments are...

[@dundeeutility4899]

Great wee documentary 👍💙🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ariadneschild8460]

Reality really outdoes fiction. This is mindbending!

[@StephanieJoRountree]

Mind-blowing!

[@guymontag9577]

Anyone else bothered by the amount of advertising posters around the prison? Speaking of a captive Audience.

[@sankei6630]

omg. this is even far worse than the prison here in my country. CORRUPTION

[@Uconn15]

I am surprised Bolivia would allow that kind of Prison to be run, as an Ex-Correctional Officer when you think you have seen it all, WOW! I need to open my eyes wide.

[@puraLusa]

That's what happens when you loose the war on drugs. Americas as a continent is loosing this war. Drugs are winning world wide.

[@kz6713]

@@puraLusa just legalize everything you cannot stop it

[@puraLusa]

@@kz6713 There are 1000 debates about the option. I refer to them as my answer on the no side. Plus as a person with adicts in the familly I refer to my personal suffering.

[@lenaely6146]

​@@puraLusathe drugs were here before America. The founders brought addictions and drugs with them. The drug war is nothing more than a drug deal gone wrong among the elites. My personal knowledge of the elites and Drug war is that it was nothing more than angry elites declaring war on their dealers when the dealers refused to serve them after a dispute about sexual abuse the elites engage in while high...

[@masihullahhasanyar1084]

So this is exactly what we saw in Prison break season 3 in Panama

[@novakalbatross6274]

Sona

[@tinyGrim1]

It's like a village. I bet they take out anyone going overboard.

[@haddingtoniangcp2464]

Built for 250, holds 3000. Yep, almost he story of every prison in developing countries

[@enterthedragon5979]

Your missing a T

[@mohamadraymie5525]

@@enterthedragon5979 and you're missing an E

[@enterthedragon5979]

@@mohamadraymie5525 there's no E in my reply

[@enterthedragon5979]

@@mohamadraymie5525 you spell he and its supposed to be The

[@mohamadraymie5525]

@@enterthedragon5979 yeah but it supposed to have E after your. Cause "your" mean what belongs to him/her. For the right sentence should be "you're missing a T"

[@brethazlett5354]

Very interesting!

[@SilvahMistarish]

This is basically how I been living since corona

[@GREENLALI]

What the point to this prison???

[@siouxd799]

Punishment for poor criminals

[@crisisioannou]

I've read this book in moorlands jail in the UK 🇬🇧

[@cecilia-kc4pv]

Very interesting and real life situation. I liked the reporters. The prison is very dirty how come the Kids are not getting ill in such a dirty place.

[@nicolasrose3968]

In the book "Marching Powder" Rusty writes about the hierarchy in the prison , wealthy prisoners own top stories and never fraternize with prisoners on the ground level , there is a "commity" headed by a "hard" man who controls and delegates to subordinates.

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

I really don't mind the idea of this other then the kids being there. Lol

[@PrinCess-hz9ki]

This (Prison) was featured by World's Most Dangerous Prison in Netflix. I was just in awe.

[@cynthiablanchard4588]

I love how you approch the population. I love the Camara man he is amazed to

[@podunkcitizen2562]

Yes sir, we have a wonderful hotel suite for you with a lovely view of the prison!

[@iainwalker4285]

you need to read the book Marching Powder.... a brit who spent a long time in there.. one of the most gripping books i have ever read.

[@deannicholl6190]

Read this book years ago, smashing read

[@catherinenieves5106]

So, they sneak a camera in and they don't think its too obvious when they speak directly into the camera?

[@cynthiablanchard4588]

Informative story, video I love how they let you into prison

[@siouxd799]

You can go there during the day as a tour and to eat

[@inalapanther3035]

As long as they are paying for their crimes it doesn't matter to me

[@lordaimelord7848]

"In San Pedro, the locks are on the inside" Lol.. isn't every home?

[@YT-dg9qs]

As opposed to other prisons not homes

[@Mick-gp6vi]

Dear lord

[@user-rq3sw8sj5n]

I know a prison in the USA did a study in which they had inmates have their children come life with them during their sentence. They found that they were more productive, better themselves and were a lot less likely to reoffend. I’m kinda for walking of an area an having a prison city if you will here in America. I bet depending on the inmates it would work pretty good.

[@deadbabiesinvomit]

What about the prison city in Australia. It's much bigger than this prison

[@naturegyrl3408]

That’s not a prison....that’s the projects 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@FaithandNova]

😩😩😩😩

[@KinkyinCT]

Exactly!

[@kalebhoner5352]

That's not a prison that's a gated community with no law enforcement

[@juicebox464]

Imagine going to prison for drugs and u get in there and there's more drugs in there then anything I would be so mad

[@ariadneschild8460]

Ikr? It's insane.

[@martinturyagyenda]

This is also very common in Ugandan barracks

[@alingyska9477]

How can they call it prison?

[@YoungXelDong]

Latin american prisons are brutal. I remember one prison wherein the dominant gang smuggled dozens of weapons and butchered the rival gang. They didnt stand a chance since they werent prepared from the surprise attack. The attackers lined up their bodies and beheaded them. It looks like a scene from apocalypto

[@Michelle-ob2un]

another gore watcher😍 what's the link?

[@my2cents198]

Australia needs this...let the criminals sort themselves out.

[@jakehorton9556]

Maybe with non violent offenders may work 👍

[@joshriv1704]

This is really like the movie “get the gringo” really good movie btw and s/o to Mel Gibson he is such a great actor and director

[@greengoo4575]

This is far more superior model than in U.S. or UK..

[@Kammo757]

He said it’s strange to have a prison in the middle of a city. Apparently he hasn’t been to Philadelphia.

[@zigzagsgames9312]

Prisoners are also humans. I just feel sorry for them no matter what kind of people they are. I wish the best for all humanity. 😔

[@cecilia-kc4pv]

Me too. Mostly I'm concern ed about the Kids.

[@omusaatsawatuukha2513]

Very dumb

[@fatonyalmitchell3281]

Amen 🙏 I'm with you on that

[@gorillavanilla5963]

This guy is high AF...those eyes are huge

[@niklashall5969]

Awesome!!!!!

[@nicolegillespie4704]

Prisoners live with their wives and kids and there is a real estate market? That's not a prison.

[@AbidmansurAdi]

An American man wanting to make a decision on whether or not the prison should still operate, this is the problem with Americans they cant resist keeping their noses out of other peoples countries and the way they run things. Leave it be and have a good nights sleep

[@nyimatsering2757]

Don't be surprised!!! Nepal prison is also run by prisoners.. Almost same as I saw in this video .. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE

[@rosshitchen-ij6en]

Looks safer than San Francisco and Chicago

[@kimstars39]

I feel sorry for the kids!

[@LK-bz9sk]

Sounds like a narco controlled town. Not a prison?

[@yabeshlimbu3778]

It's a whole small world behind the walls. kinda sick