Amina Al-Sadi

When people think of Bukele, they're thinking about this prison.

You know, when you walk into the prison, it's clear that this is the ultimate maximum security. There are multiple layers of gates. The first thing you notice when you approach the area of the prison, about a mile outside of the prison gates, is that there is a suffocation of communication. Cell phones stop working immediately. you're taken in buses because it's massive.

You know, when you walk into the prison, it's clear that this is the ultimate maximum security. There are multiple layers of gates. The first thing you notice when you approach the area of the prison, about a mile outside of the prison gates, is that there is a suffocation of communication. Cell phones stop working immediately. you're taken in buses because it's massive.

You know, when you walk into the prison, it's clear that this is the ultimate maximum security. There are multiple layers of gates. The first thing you notice when you approach the area of the prison, about a mile outside of the prison gates, is that there is a suffocation of communication. Cell phones stop working immediately. you're taken in buses because it's massive.

And you see dozens of towers with surveillance and everything you can expect from a prison. But the thing that's really striking is just how quiet everything is. The inmates are all within these modules that contain a number of cells inside. Inside each cell, there is anywhere from like 80 to 100 or even more prisoners. But it's all extremely quiet, which...

And you see dozens of towers with surveillance and everything you can expect from a prison. But the thing that's really striking is just how quiet everything is. The inmates are all within these modules that contain a number of cells inside. Inside each cell, there is anywhere from like 80 to 100 or even more prisoners. But it's all extremely quiet, which...

And you see dozens of towers with surveillance and everything you can expect from a prison. But the thing that's really striking is just how quiet everything is. The inmates are all within these modules that contain a number of cells inside. Inside each cell, there is anywhere from like 80 to 100 or even more prisoners. But it's all extremely quiet, which...

You know, when you think about 80 men, gang members, inside one cell, and you can't hear a thing, that's when you really come to understand the level of force and strength that the guards impose. So there's no communication. There is no visits, ever, ever. No family visits. Those prisoners are within these modules.

You know, when you think about 80 men, gang members, inside one cell, and you can't hear a thing, that's when you really come to understand the level of force and strength that the guards impose. So there's no communication. There is no visits, ever, ever. No family visits. Those prisoners are within these modules.

You know, when you think about 80 men, gang members, inside one cell, and you can't hear a thing, that's when you really come to understand the level of force and strength that the guards impose. So there's no communication. There is no visits, ever, ever. No family visits. Those prisoners are within these modules.

Imagine like a big airplane hangar, and inside those hangars is where the cells are. They never leave the module, so they never see the light outside. There's no outside time. They can only be outside the cell in the hallway that divides all the cells for about 20 to 30 minutes per day. They don't have mattresses. They don't have sheets. They just sleep in these metal cots.

Imagine like a big airplane hangar, and inside those hangars is where the cells are. They never leave the module, so they never see the light outside. There's no outside time. They can only be outside the cell in the hallway that divides all the cells for about 20 to 30 minutes per day. They don't have mattresses. They don't have sheets. They just sleep in these metal cots.

Imagine like a big airplane hangar, and inside those hangars is where the cells are. They never leave the module, so they never see the light outside. There's no outside time. They can only be outside the cell in the hallway that divides all the cells for about 20 to 30 minutes per day. They don't have mattresses. They don't have sheets. They just sleep in these metal cots.

It's these multiple dozens of bunk beds. And that's where they are all the time. What's striking is that it just feels like these human beings who are in there are stripped outside of their tattoos, of course, because they can't take away the tattoos, but they're stripped of anything that makes them stand apart. It's a mass of shaved heads, all dressed the same.

It's these multiple dozens of bunk beds. And that's where they are all the time. What's striking is that it just feels like these human beings who are in there are stripped outside of their tattoos, of course, because they can't take away the tattoos, but they're stripped of anything that makes them stand apart. It's a mass of shaved heads, all dressed the same.

It's these multiple dozens of bunk beds. And that's where they are all the time. What's striking is that it just feels like these human beings who are in there are stripped outside of their tattoos, of course, because they can't take away the tattoos, but they're stripped of anything that makes them stand apart. It's a mass of shaved heads, all dressed the same.

Their uniforms, which are all the same, all white. They're wearing Crocs or shoes that are kind of like Crocs. And they're all staring from within the cell outside completely quietly. I asked, why are they so quiet? What happens if they talk? And they said, you'll have a time to talk to somebody. But if they speak out of line, they're going into solitary.

Their uniforms, which are all the same, all white. They're wearing Crocs or shoes that are kind of like Crocs. And they're all staring from within the cell outside completely quietly. I asked, why are they so quiet? What happens if they talk? And they said, you'll have a time to talk to somebody. But if they speak out of line, they're going into solitary.

Their uniforms, which are all the same, all white. They're wearing Crocs or shoes that are kind of like Crocs. And they're all staring from within the cell outside completely quietly. I asked, why are they so quiet? What happens if they talk? And they said, you'll have a time to talk to somebody. But if they speak out of line, they're going into solitary.

We are not allowed to interact, to speak to any of the prisoners. They are all staring at us. It's so striking to see them. I only spoke to one prisoner. They only made one prisoner available for me to talk to who spoke English, who said that he was from L.A., and shared a little bit of his experience. Are you going to be here the rest of your life?