El Salvador's Congress, at the request of President Nayib Bukele, approved a measure allowing minors convicted of crimes related to organized crime to be housed in the same prisons as adults, although in separate areas, until they reach legal age, Deutsche Welle reported.

 

The reform to the Juvenile Criminal Law stipulates that minors who are gang members and have committed serious crimes such as homicides, kidnappings, and arms trafficking will fall under the jurisdiction of the Directorate of Penal Centers, which manages adult prisons, France 24 published.

 

The goal, stated Congressman Walter Cotto, is to prevent minors linked to organized crime from receiving the same treatment as those who have committed less serious offenses or acted in isolation, Página 12 reported.