Penitentiary crisis in Ecuador: the impact of prolonged preventive detention

Abstract

This study explored the impact of the excessive use of preventive detention in the Ecuadorian prison system, focusing on its influence on equity, effectiveness and human rights. The research combined quantitative and qualitative methods, such as surveys, interviews and statistical analysis, to evaluate the duration of pretrial detention, prison conditions and inmates' perception of justice. The findings showed that preventive detention in Ecuador is often lengthened due to slow case resolution, judicial overload, and lack of trained personnel, which negatively affects inmates. Many perceived their situation as unfair, highlighting the paucity of alternative precautionary measures and limited access to an adequate defense. The investigation underlined the urgency of implementing judicial and penitentiary reforms that promote the use of less restrictive measures, better management of available resources and a respectful approach to human rights.