Everything we know about ‘worst prison on Earth’ with ‘inhumane rules’ where Donald Trump has sent 238 people
The Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, often referred to as the “worst prison on Earth,” has gained notoriety for its harsh conditions and strict rules. Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump sent 238 alleged immigrants to CECOT as part of his immigration crackdown, sparking further attention on the facility.
CECOT, which can hold up to 40,000 inmates, is known for its extreme security measures and inhumane living conditions. Inmates are housed in large cells that accommodate around 80 people, with no need to leave the cell as it contains toilet, washing, and eating facilities. Those who misbehave are sent to solitary confinement—a dark room with only a tiny light source.
Prisoners are allowed just 30 minutes of outdoor exercise per day, and even legal and medical visits are conducted inside the cells, meaning inmates rarely see sunlight. Occasionally, more trusted prisoners are given motivational talks in the corridors outside their cells.
Trump’s decision to send 238 people to CECOT followed a deal struck with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele in February 2024. Despite a federal judge ruling against the move, Trump proceeded with the deportations. Bukele has expressed willingness to accept deportees from the U.S. as part of his broader crackdown on gang crime in El Salvador.
As of 2024, CECOT held around 15,000 inmates, well below its 40,000 capacity. However, an estimated 7,000 of these prisoners are believed to have been wrongly imprisoned.
Despite this, Bukele’s government views the prison as a necessary measure, citing a significant reduction in crime since its establishment in 2022.
CECOT, the largest prison in Latin America, is likely to receive more deportees in the future, raising concerns about human rights and the treatment of inmates in the facility.
