Citing the database, HRW said dozens have died in custody, mostly in the country’s Izalco and La Esperanza prisons, which were designed to hold three and four times as many prisoners, respectively.
It said other prisons, such as Ilopango’s women’s prison for men and San Miguel, were over six times the capacity.
More than 50,000 people had been sent to pre-trial detention by the end of August, the group said, while about 40,000 had been charged with “unlawful collaboration”, a crime that includes people who participate in gangs. or receive “indirect benefits”.
Authorities also charged 8,000 with membership of a “terrorist organization”, a broad term under Salvadoran law that Human Rights Watch said opens the door to arbitrary arrests and does little to ensure justice. .