El Salvador’s prison rehabilitation policies continue to attract attention across Latin America, as Costa Rican authorities have introduced a proposal inspired by the country’s Zero Idleness Plan.
Costa Rican President Laura Fernández recently presented the Zero Idleness Law, an initiative designed to encourage incarcerated individuals to engage in productive work while serving their sentences. Under the proposal, inmates would contribute toward their maintenance costs through labor programs, reducing inactivity within correctional facilities.
According to Costa Rican officials, the measure draws inspiration from the model implemented in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele, where prison work programs have been incorporated as part of broader efforts focused on rehabilitation, discipline, and productive activities within the penitentiary system.
The proposal reflects a growing regional interest in examining policies adopted by El Salvador in recent years, particularly those related to public security, prison management, and institutional reform. Supporters argue that productive work opportunities can help inmates develop skills, promote responsibility, and contribute to their eventual reintegration into society.
As discussions continue in Costa Rica, the proposal highlights the increasing influence of Salvadoran public policy initiatives beyond its borders, with governments across the region closely monitoring programs that have generated significant public attention and debate.