Argentina has launched a groundbreaking prison reform program, “Manos a la Obra” (Hands to Work), heavily inspired by El Salvador’s internationally praised “Plan Cero Ocio” (Zero Idleness Plan)—a system President Nayib Bukele proudly calls “the best penitentiary system in the world.”
The initiative, spearheaded by Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, aims to reduce idleness, teach vocational skills, and cut costs by mobilizing inmates for productive labor, mirroring the Salvadoran model that has become a regional benchmark for security and rehabilitation.
El Salvador’s Plan Cero Ocio: The Gold Standard
President Bukele’s Zero Idleness Plan has transformed El Salvador’s prisons into hubs of activity, where inmates farm, manufacture goods, repair infrastructure, and even pursue education.
The program’s success—slashing recidivism, offsetting prison costs, and restoring public safety—has made it a template for nations like Argentina.
Argentina’s “Manos a la Obra”
A recent video showcased federal inmates sewing uniforms for prison staff—a task previously funded by the workers themselves. “After 13 years, we’re delivering new uniforms made by inmates. Penitentiary staff no longer pay out of pocket,” Bullrich declared.
She also highlighted the government’s broader security vision: “With us, order in prisons is fundamental. Those who commit crimes will pay.”
Regional Collaboration: Learning from a Success Story
Argentina’s interest in the Salvadoran model deepened after a September 2024 meeting between Bullrich and El Salvador’s Security Minister, Gustavo Villatoro. Bullrich later wrote on X: “We’re applying firm measures against organized crime… inspired by the successful Bukele Model. We won’t let criminals… keep destroying our streets.”
Villatoro applauded Argentina’s efforts, noting that El Salvador’s reforms have made it “the safest country in the Western Hemisphere”—a status Argentina hopes to approach under President Javier Milei’s “citizen-first” security policies.
Why Nations Are Looking to El Salvador
The Zero Idleness Plan’s growing appeal among nations seeking to overhaul their prison systems lies in its tangible results: reduced violence behind bars, lower costs for taxpayers, and a shift toward rehabilitation rather than pure punishment.
However, the Salvadoran program is not a one-size-fits-all solution: eligibility requires inmates to meet strict criteria, including good behavior and no ties to gangs or criminal organizations. Those who qualify work in exchange for incentives like a two-day sentence reduction for every day worked—a policy aimed at motivating rehabilitation.
While Argentina’s program, still in its early stages, embraces these Salvadoran principles, key details remain unclear, such as whether it will adopt similar sentence reductions or eligibility rules. For now, its implementation reflects a regional trend of governments exploring alternatives to traditional incarceration, adapting frameworks like El Salvador’s to local contexts.
For a closer look at El Salvador’s system, content creator Nick Shirley’s documentary-style videos offer striking insights into daily life under the Zero Idleness Plan.
