Expert: MRZ - 1/25/2008

Question
I have a sister that has been detained at a Columbian prison and I am very concerned about her well being.  I am hoping you can alleviate some of my concernes.  What kind of state are these prisons in?  Are they humane.  We have absoluely no idea where to get more information or help.

Answer
First of all I am sorry to hear that she is in prison.
Colombian prisons I am afraid are not the best of places. There is lots to say, but for obvious reasons I rather do it privately.
Second, I am afraid that no Colombian agency or office will respond to anyone about an inmate via telephone. Of course you could visit in person and get what you need.
I think you could try to get information through the American Embassy, but I am not sure what response you would get. I have heard that in Colombia American prisoners get a visit once a month and they provide vitamins to qualified individuals. Other than that I hear the assistance is kept to a minimum, regardless of assumption of guilt or not.
We have had a case like this in the past with an Italian citizen and we were able to visit with him and deliver to him help sent by his family from Italy. We used to visit him once a month with news from his family.
We will be happy to help you out in establishing communication with him on a regular basis. If you are interested in something like this please email me at info@colombianpossibilities.com or call me at 703-652-3850, this is a U.S. based phone number that rings in our Bogota office.