ARGENTINA Prisoners in an Argentine prison are collectively beating a fellow inmate convicted of child rape. He has no chance to defend himself. He is stripped naked and his legs are tied. He regularly suffers such treatment whenever the opportunity arises.
Among inmates in South American prisons, there is an unwritten but strongly respected code of ethics that places child killers and pedophiles at the very bottom of the hierarchy. They are frequently targeted by other prisoners, who try to morally “correct” them and perhaps prove to themselves that they are better and more moral.
Argentina tries to protect these vulnerable prisoners by placing them in special isolated blocks to keep them away from others. However, prisons often lack enough staff to enforce all rules effectively.
Even though our initial feelings might make us empathize with the prisoners who attack him, in reality, this is a serious violation of human rights. Punishment should always be decided by a court, not by a gang of inmates.
