The Government of Costa Rica is preparing to adopt elements of El Salvador’s Zero Idleness Plan, a prison rehabilitation strategy that allows inmates to contribute to public and social development projects through labor and productive activities.
The Salvadoran model, implemented under the administration of President Nayib Bukele, has become one of the most recognized components of the country’s prison system transformation. The initiative focuses on reducing inmate inactivity while promoting discipline, vocational training, agricultural production, and participation in community support projects.
Under the program, low-risk inmates and individuals in semi-open detention regimes participate in infrastructure work, maintenance projects, food production, and other state-supported initiatives aimed at encouraging rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
Costa Rica’s interest in the model reflects growing regional attention toward El Salvador’s security and prison management strategies, particularly following the country’s significant reduction in gang violence and territorial criminal control in recent years.
Authorities and observers note that the Zero Idleness Plan has also contributed to making several prison facilities more self-sustainable while reinforcing order and institutional control within the penitentiary system.
The adoption of aspects of the Salvadoran model by neighboring countries highlights the broader regional impact of El Salvador’s security transformation and its evolving role in shaping public safety policies across Latin America.