La Modelo

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La Modelo (English: The Model [Prison]) is a prison in Bogotá, Colombia. With 11,000 inmates, the facility is known for its violence.^{[not verified in body]} The prison's north wing accommodates left-wing rebels while the south wing has right-wing government supporters and paramilitaries.^{[not verified in body]} The area between these two wings is where many killings in the prison take place.^{[not verified in body]} Guards do not carry weapons in the prison, although the ones in the guard towers do control rifles.^{[not verified in body]} Prisoners from both sides have easy access to guns and even grenades.^{[not verified in body]} Members of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) continue to drill in their section of the prison.^{[not verified in body]} There are restaurants in the prison and one sponsored by FARC provides free food to left-wing rebels.^{[citation needed][not verified in body]}

On 27 April 2000, over 100 prisoners were murdered in fighting. After the killings and the publicity it created the government began to change the prison regime. Many of the private shops were shut down and security was stepped up, although inmates still have access to arms.^[1]