In a horrific incident at a women's prison in Tamara, Honduras, the remains of 46 women, victims of a brutal massacre during a riot, are being returned to their families. The violence, which erupted on Tuesday, paints a grim picture of a meticulously orchestrated mass killing by inmates linked to the infamous Barrio 18 street gang.

The process of identifying the victims is proving challenging, with some bodies so severely burned that genetic testing or dental records are required. The attack unfolded as a carefully planned assault on perceived rival gang members. The incident has ignited demands for reforms within the nation's prison system and sparked discussions about adopting El Salvador's hardline security model.

While El Salvador's crackdown on gangs has been controversial for its human rights implications, it has gained significant public support in a country long plagued by gang violence. However, concerns have been raised about the potential dangers of replicating this approach in Honduras. Joaquín Mejía, a Honduran human rights expert, voiced apprehension about the "Bukele-ization" of the security issue, referring to El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele.

The prison riot involved Barrio 18 gang members armed with guns and machetes, overpowering guards and targeting other female inmates. They shot, hacked, and locked survivors in cells before setting them ablaze. The gang's ability to acquire weapons and move freely within the prison raises serious questions about security failures. Jessica Sánchez, an activist with a human rights organization, believes the massacre was pre-planned and that authorities were likely aware of the impending violence.

People place a coffin containing the remains of a female inmate into a hearse in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on June 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Elmer Martinez)

Security camera footage captured the initial stages of the attack until the gang members destroyed the cameras. The footage reportedly shows the women overpowering the guards and seizing their keys. President Xiomara Castro attributed the riot to a planned attack by street gangs with the alleged knowledge and consent of security personnel. In response, she dismissed the Security Minister and placed the country's prisons under military police control for a year. A plan to recruit and train 2,000 new guards has also been initiated.

However, immediate solutions to address the dire conditions within the prisons, including overcrowding and inadequate facilities, have yet to be announced. The lack of security allows inmates to control cellblocks, engage in illicit activities, and extort fellow prisoners. There is skepticism about whether replicating El Salvador's harsh prison system is the answer. Some argue that the focus should be on professionalizing prison management rather than constructing more facilities that could become sites of further violence.

Calls for an international investigation into the prison system and the treatment of female inmates have been made. The weapons recovered after the riot, including pistols, an assault rifle, machine pistols, and grenades, highlight the ease with which contraband enters these facilities. Disturbingly, some inmates had children living with them in the prison during the attack, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.

This tragic event has surpassed the death toll of the 2017 Guatemala fire that killed 41 girls and is reminiscent of the 2012 Comayagua prison fire in Honduras, which claimed the lives of 361 male inmates. The incident underscores the urgent need for comprehensive prison reform in Honduras.