Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice (SCJN) has ruled that officials in the State of Mexico—the populous region surrounding Mexico City—must immediately address severe overcrowding at the Neza-Bordo de Xochiaca penitentiary. The decision, drafted by Justice Giovanni Figueroa Mejía, responded to a legal challenge highlighting conditions the court described as inhumane.
Overcrowded prisons are a chronic problem across Mexico, where facilities often hold far more inmates than they were designed for, leading to unsanitary conditions, violence, and limited access to basic services like healthcare and clean water. The Neza-Bordo case has drawn attention as an example of how severe the crisis has become in the state that borders the capital.
By issuing this order, the nation’s highest court is signaling that local governments cannot ignore constitutional protections for people in custody, regardless of budget constraints or administrative challenges. The ruling puts pressure on the State of Mexico’s prison system to implement concrete solutions, though it remains unclear what specific measures officials will take or how quickly changes might be visible to inmates living in these facilities.
This case adds to a broader national conversation about prison reform and human rights in Mexico’s justice system.
Want the full details? Check out the original article on jornada.com.mx.
Source: Prisiones: hacinamiento inhumano (jornada.com.mx).
Image: State Library Victoria Collections, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).