Current law states that any convicted person can apply to a judge for conditional release as long as half of the sentence imposed has been served. However, according to the approved project, for certain types of crimes she will have to serve two-thirds of the sentence.
With 51 votes in favor and zero against, this reform was approved, which also states that for those who are guilty of crimes such as simple and qualified homicide, rape, sexual abuse, human trafficking, robbery, kidnapping for ransom and other similar crimes have severity: Only those who miss a third of their sentence are entitled to the benefit.
This includes the prosecution of femicides and persons violating the law against organized crime, as well as the law relating to narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, illicit drugs, related activities, money laundering and terrorist financing.
An article published in Semanario Universidad highlights that the Social Christian MP María Marta Carballo has asked for support for the project, saying it is an urgent response to the population since “in the face of the worst, we need a firm hand against criminals”. Crime wave the country has ever seen.
Costa Rica ended 2023 as the most violent year in its entire history, with a total of 907 homicides, or 17.2 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, an increase of 38.6 percent compared to 2022.
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