REPORT ON THE USE OF PRETRIAL DETENTION IN THE AMERICAS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1
A.
B.
C.
D.
II.
Context and purpose of this report ....................................................... 1
Underlying principles, fundamental standards and content ................. 5
Legal framework and methodology ..................................................... 10
Scope of the concept of pretrial detention and terminology .............. 13
ANALYSIS OF THE USE OF PRETRIAL DETENTION IN THE REGION .................... 14
A.
B.
C.
D.
Recent monitoring by the IACHR and by Universal System
mechanisms ......................................................................................... 14
Statistics submitted by the States ........................................................ 19
Significant general issues within the regional overview ...................... 24
Reasons for the excessive use of pretrial detention ............................ 33
1.
2.
E.
III.
Criminal justice policies that promote increased
incarceration as a solution to citizen security problems ....... 34
Threats to judicial independence .......................................... 45
Financial cost of pretrial detention ...................................................... 53
RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON THE USE OF PRETRIAL
DETENTION ........................................................................................................ 55
A.
B.
The right to the presumption of innocence and the principle of
exceptionality ....................................................................................... 55
Conditions for use ................................................................................ 60
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
C.
Legitimate reasons or grounds for applicability .................... 60
Invalid or inadequate grounds ............................................... 61
The criteria of necessity, proportionality and
reasonableness ...................................................................... 65
Competent authority, decision process, grounding and
evidence ................................................................................. 72
Effective legal assistance (public defense) ............................ 77
Judicial oversight and resources ............................................ 79
Periodic review, due diligence and priority of processing ..... 81
Imposition of pretrial detention a second time and
release following acquittal..................................................... 84
Children and adolescents....................................................... 84
Right to reparation for the undue imposition of pretrial detention .... 86