International Models of Prison Rehabilitation: Challenges and Policy Proposals for Criminal Justice in Colombia

Abstract

This article presents a new paradigm for criminal and penitentiary policy in Colombia through the Comprehensive Criminological and Penitentiary Evaluation System (SIECP). Unlike traditional punitive approaches, which emphasize incarceration without individualized treatment, this proposal integrates criminological criteria, recidivism risk assessment, and successful international models. Penitentiary systems in Norway, Singapore, and El Salvador are analyzed to demonstrate how differentiated sentencing impacts reintegration and public safety.

The SIECP model balances prevention, punishment, and rehabilitation, ensuring more efficient resource allocation and a significant reduction in recidivism rates. It is supported by national and international legal frameworks, including the SU-306/23 ruling and UNODC standards, aiming to establish a scientifically and criminologically grounded criminal policy.

This model not only proposes a structural reform of the Colombian penitentiary system, but also offers a replicable framework for Latin American countries, positioning itself as a benchmark for future legislative and judicial reforms.