The initiative aims to resocialize the occupants of the various pavilions through the expression of urban art. (INPE)

He Lurigancho Jail hosted on February 24 a contest of freestyle, which was attended by more than 50 young prisoners from this prison. It was the 2nd Edition of the Freestyle Arte Libre Festivalorganized by the local authorities with the aim of promoting the resocialization of persons deprived of their liberty for a criminal act.

According to what was reported by the Criminal Penitentiary Institute of Peru (INPE)with the realization of the event, we seek that the inhabitants of the different pavilions integrate into society, through the expression of urban art such as the rap. In addition, to develop their musical talents and allow them to overcome stage fright and their limits.

In addition to the famous contest of Freestyle Master Seriesbetter known as FMS, the activity in the Lurigancho prison had themes for participants to rap based on. Some of them were resocialization, empathy, respect, discipline, the riches of Peru, gender equality, peaceful coexistence, honesty, work, value for the family, resilience and the love of art.

The participants released their best rhymes and moved the audience present.
The participants released their best rhymes and moved the audience present.

There was a qualifying jury that attended the freestyle battles between the detainees and assessed them on certain aspects, such as the use of moderate language (no profanity, obscene expressions or physical contact).

He COMMIT reported that the festival was held on four dates for the auditions at which the inmates’ great interest in participating was appreciated, as well as their ability to create rhyme in each of their presentations.

Joe Salazar, prison inmate and winner of the competition, pointed out that despite his sentence, he believes that this activity helps him to focus on his change for the benefit of society. As, Carlos Renato Paucarof pavilion 9 and a participant, remarked that this type of activity helps them to develop as a person and that when they have achieved their freedom, they plan to dedicate themselves to hip-hop professionally.

Inmate Joe Salazar was the winner of the Freestyle Arte Libre Festival.
Inmate Joe Salazar was the winner of the Freestyle Arte Libre Festival.

For its part, Alex Samame Penadirector of the Lurigancho prison of the regional office of Lima, indicated that the creation of a recording room will soon be implemented in collaboration with allied institutions so that the prisoners can strengthen their skills in this urban art.

The ordinary closed-regime penitentiary of Lurigancho, or simply Lurigancho Jail, is considered the most populated prison in Peru. Construction began in 1962, but it did not enter service until December 1974.

This prison houses, according to the latest figures from the COMMITnearly 10,000 inmates, despite only having a capacity of 2,500.

Lurigancho prison is considered the most populated prison in Peru.
Lurigancho prison is considered the most populated prison in Peru.

Each of the pavilions has small rooms in which inmates. In the passages you can usually see clothes or sheets hanging from strings. Similarly, most inmates share a cell and sleep in cubicles.

It also has different spaces in which inmates do basketry, carpentry, mechanics and textile workshops, among others. Thus, many prisoners devote their time to acquiring technical knowledge. In addition, they have the opportunity to generate economic income through these tasks.

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