The Chamber of Deputies gave initial approval to a bill amending Article 294 of Law No. 1,160/97, Paraguay’s Penal Code, and providing for sentences of up to 15 years in cases where the escape of people deprived of their liberty is facilitated with the participation of officials responsible for their custody. The proposal, introduced by Deputy Yamil Esgaib, now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The text had already received approval in general terms, and its content was finalized on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The initiative establishes a sentence of up to five years in prison for anyone who frees a detained person, induces that person to flee or helps the escape in any way. An attempted offense would also be punishable.
When a public official whose duties require preventing an escape participates, the proposed sentence rises to between five and 15 years. The rule would apply especially to prison-system officials and other security agents with direct surveillance and custody duties.
The proposal also provides for harsher treatment of so-called mass escapes, defined in the text as incidents in which more than one person deprived of liberty manages to escape. The justification states that this type of incident may require greater organization, logistics and cooperation, especially when criminal structures and contacts inside and outside prisons are involved.
Arguments presented include escapes recorded in recent years at different prisons across the country and the possible coordinated participation of employees, security agents and people linked to criminal organizations. The authors believe current penalties may be insufficient for operations of this kind.
Approval by the Chamber does not immediately change the criminal rules in force. The bill will still be examined by the Senate, which must decide whether the legislative process will continue. Any change will depend on the subsequent stages provided for in the parliamentary process.