U.S. Saves Over $3 Million by Eliminating Incarceration Costs
On Friday, April 11th, the International Affairs Office of the U.S. Department of Justice extradited 13 Mexican nationals serving federal prison sentences for drug distribution.
According to Matthew R. Galeotti, Chief of the Penal Division at the Department of Justice, “The transfer of 13 federal inmates to Mexican prison authorities on Friday has saved the United States over $3 million by eliminating the need to pay incarceration costs for the remaining 75 years of their combined sentences.”
This action, governed by the Department of Justice’s International Prisoner Transfer Program managed by the Penal Division’s International Affairs Office, aims to enhance inmate rehabilitation.
Compliance with International Treaties
The U.S. Department of Justice stated that the transfer adheres to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the United Mexican States on the Execution of Penal Sentences.”
In late February, Mexican authorities reported the extradition of 29 high-level drug traffickers to the U.S., citing “national security” reasons.
Mexican vs. U.S. Justice Systems
According to Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of the Federal Public Security, the extradition occurred due to information suggesting some of the 29 drug traffickers were near release or facing extradition delays because of connections with judges.
A month and a half after the transfer, questions arise about whether the Mexican government can control the extradited criminals, as the U.S. version asserts that the goal was to cut costs in their correctional system.
Flexibility of Mexican Justice?
Despite this, it was revealed that the 13 inmates transferred requested to be moved to their home country, and both U.S. and Mexican governments approved these transfers. Why is the Mexican justice system more accommodating?
49 Years of Extradition Treaties Between Mexico and U.S.
The U.S. Congress passed legislation authorizing the International Prisoner Transfer Program in October 1977, setting program requirements. The U.S. signed its first transfer treaty with Mexico in 1976, effective November 1977. Since then, the U.S. has signed ten additional bilateral transfer agreements and two multilateral transfer agreements, establishing relations for prisoner transfer treaties with over 85 countries.
International Prisoner Transfer Program Administration
The International Prisoner Transfer Unit (IPTU) of the International Affairs Office at the Department of Justice manages this program. Under this program, foreign nationals approved for federal and state prisons can serve their sentences in their home countries under certain conditions.
This marks the 184th transfer since the treaty’s enactment in 1977. The previous transfer, conducted in December 2024, moved nine inmates to Mexico under the treaty.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of this mutual repatriation? The aim is to enhance inmate rehabilitation and reduce costs associated with maintaining prisoners in foreign countries.
- How does this program work? The International Prisoner Transfer Program allows approved foreign nationals in U.S. federal and state prisons to serve their sentences in their home countries.
- Why are there transfers between Mexico and the U.S.? These exchanges aim to manage prison costs, ensure justice system compliance with international treaties, and facilitate rehabilitation.
- What are the implications for Mexican justice? The flexibility shown in approving these transfers raises questions about the Mexican justice system’s capacity to manage extradited criminals.
