Pénitencier de la liberté, Military detention facility in Libertad, Uruguay
Establecimiento Militar de Reclusión 1 is a maximum security prison facility in Libertad featuring reinforced concrete buildings and guard towers surrounding the perimeter. The complex contains multiple cellblocks and administrative areas designed to house long-term detainees under strict security protocols.
The facility was established in 1972 as a military detention center and served as a holding point during Uruguay's military dictatorship until its transition to civilian rule in 1985. It played a central role in the system of political confinement during that era.
The penitentiary bears witness to a dark period in Uruguayan history, with approximately 3,000 inmates held within its walls during the military regime.
The prison is located at kilometer 52 on Route 1 near the town of Libertad and remains an operational facility under the Ministry of Interior. Access to the site is limited, and visitors should check ahead about viewing opportunities and any restrictions.
A memorial was established at the site in 2018 to honor the political prisoners who were detained there during the military regime. This commemoration space serves as a place for reflection on that chapter of Uruguay's past.
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