Pan de Muerto: Prisoners in Mexico City Craft Traditional Bread for Social Reintegration

Web Editor

October 25, 2025

a box of donuts sitting on a table next to a box of donuts and a box of orange flowers, Ceferí Oliv

Artisanal Production with Traditional Recipe

In a commendable initiative by the Mexico City authorities, 40 prisoners have been involved in crafting the traditional Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) as part of the “Hazme Valer” program. This productive project, managed by the Subsecretaría del Sistema Penitenciario of the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC), aims to enhance vocational training and social reintegration.

The prisoners, hailing from the Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Sur and the Penitenciaría de la Ciudad de México, have meticulously followed a classic Mexican panadería recipe. The ingredients include mantequilla, huevo (egg), leche (milk), naranja (orange), and azúcar (sugar).

Pricing and Sales Points

The Pan de Muerto, adorned with a uniquely designed box crafted by the prisoners themselves, is priced at 39 pesos. It can be purchased from the following locations:

  • Tienda Institucional de la SSC, located at Calzada San Antonio Abad #130, colonia Tránsito, Cuauhtémoc alcaldía.
  • The SSC headquarters building, situated in Liverpool #136, colonia Juárez, Cuauhtémoc.

Social Reintegration Infused with Tradition

The “Hazme Valer” program encourages the development of specialized labor skills, thereby expanding employment and self-employment opportunities post-release. The earnings from the Pan de Muerto sales are fully allocated to the participating prisoners, contributing to their sustenance and that of their families.

The SSC emphasizes that work, education, health, training, and sports are pivotal constitutional elements for social reintegration, as outlined in Article 18 of the Mexican Constitution.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the initiative about? The Mexico City authorities have initiated a program called “Hazme Valer,” where prisoners craft traditional Pan de Muerto bread to foster vocational skills and social reintegration.
  • How many prisoners are involved? A total of 40 prisoners participate in the production process, with 35 handling the bread-making and five designing the packaging at the Reclusorio Preventivo Varonil Sur and Penitenciaría de la Ciudad de México.
  • Where can the Pan de Muerto be purchased? It is available for purchase at the Tienda Institucional de la SSC in the Tránsito colonia or at the SSC headquarters building in the Juárez colonia, both located in Cuauhtémoc.
  • What is the price and purpose of this initiative? The Pan de Muerto costs 39 pesos, and the proceeds from its sales are entirely allocated to the participating prisoners, supporting their livelihood and that of their families.
  • How does this initiative align with social reintegration? The “Hazme Valer” program focuses on work, education, health, training, and sports as crucial elements for successful social reintegration, in line with Article 18 of the Mexican Constitution.