Abide by prior ruling on water cuts at CAI Jorge Arturo MonteroEstese a lo resuelto en amparo sobre cortes de agua en CAI Jorge Arturo Montero

Revisión del Documento SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, at nine hours twenty minutes on April twenty-one, two thousand twenty-six.

Amparo action filed by Nombre01, identity card CED01, on behalf of PRISON POLICE AND PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY OF THE JORGE ARTURO MONTERO CASTRO INSTITUTIONAL CARE CENTER, against the MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND PEACE.

Resultando:

1. 1By brief received at the Secretariat of the Chamber on January 21, 2026, the petitioner files an amparo action against the MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND PEACE and states that the persons deprived of liberty at the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center are under the direct custody of the Costa Rican State. She affirms that, for approximately 15 days, there has been a prolonged and continuous cutoff of the drinking water supply at said prison center, meaning there has not been sufficient water for human consumption, personal hygiene, use of sanitary services, basic cleaning of cells and common areas. She alleges that this lack of water has generated unsanitary conditions, accumulation of waste, foul odors, and a real and immediate risk to health, physical integrity, and human dignity. She accuses that, despite the time elapsed, the prison authorities have not resolved the situation by guaranteeing a sufficient and continuous alternative supply, which leaves the persons deprived of liberty of this center in a state of defenselessness. Based on the arguments presented, she considers that the accused actions are violating fundamental rights. She requests that the appeal be granted with the legal consequences.
2. 2By resolution at 10:37 hours on January 23, 2026, this Court issued the resolution on the course of this matter.
3. 3Jenny Chacón Fernández, in her capacity as director of the Institutional Care Center Nombre02, reports under oath (report rendered on January 29, 2026), in the following terms: "SECOND. Regarding the alleged facts. The Police Command of the Prison Center reports, via official letter number JEF-0120-2026, issued on January 24, 2026, that 'as of the morning of January 13, 2026, the problem of water shortage arose, due to a technical failure presented by the water pump that extracts the hydric liquid from well number one; it was due to this situation that the pertinent procedures were immediately undertaken to supply this prison center and surrounding areas with this liquid so important for all basic needs.' It adds that 'among the procedures undertaken, coordination was made with the competent authorities, including Acueductos y Alcantarillados, and the Fire Department, this in order to request the required assistance so that they could provide us with the cistern trucks that both institutions have; therefore, in response to our request, both institutions have collaborated with us to date with the water transport units belonging to the Fire Department 341-479 and that of AyA 102-1545; it should be noted that to date these units enter once per day according to their availability and operability to supply the trucks, cooperating satisfactorily with our problem.(official letter JEF-0117-26-2026, official letter JEF-0114-2026, and official letter JEF-0118-2026 are attached, which demonstrate the actions described evidencing the police action).' Given this situation, the Prison Police Command reports that, apart from the external resource received from the institutions already indicated, the internal procedures and our operational capacity have permanently designated three mobile units solely for the transport of drinking water to supply all areas housing the affected penal population, the center's kitchens, the center's clinic, technical offices, and staff dormitories; therefore, the flow is rationed in an orderly and staggered manner to supply each sector strategically so as not to alter the dynamics of the prison center. Regarding the water shortage, it is reported that all corresponding coordination has been made so that the population deprived of liberty and all personnel of the prison center have drinking water for ingestion and non-potable water for carrying out daily cleaning and hygiene tasks.These coordinations have been made with the Instituto Costarricense de Alcantarillados, which collaborates with cistern trucks, and the support of the Fire Department. In this regard, the Prison Police Command states that 'here the problem is not the water supply but rather that the persons deprived of liberty do not ration this important liquid, they seem not to care about the situation at this time, and this happens despite the fact that the situation is explained to them in detail and their collaboration is requested; even the maintenance department has previously placed stop valves and spigot keys at each potable water intake, but the persons deprived of liberty take advantage of every oversight to destroy or remove the keys used to regulate water waste, and thereby regulate the high consumption of hydric fluid that supplies the entire prison center.' The petitioner alleges that the prison center authorities have not resolved the situation nor guaranteed a sufficient and continuous alternative supply; however, it must be stated that this is not true, that both the police force and the undersigned and the Administration of this prison center have implemented all necessary measures to provide drinking and non-potable water to the affected population deprived of liberty and to the personnel.Regarding resolving the problem that arose, a company has already been contracted to repair the water pump, which has already carried out the extraction—a complex procedure due to its weight and depth—continuing with the review of the fault and the coordination of its replacement or repair. In response to the damage caused by unforeseen technical failures beyond the scope of institutional control and responsibility, as reported above, immediate inter-institutional coordination was undertaken with the competent authorities, specifically with the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AYA) and the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica. The primary purpose of the foregoing was to guarantee, in a timely, continuous, and sufficient manner, the supply of both drinking water and non-potable water in the facilities of the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center.Said action was carried out in strict adherence to the principles of continuity of public service, risk prevention, protection of public health, and safeguarding of fundamental rights, particularly the right to life, health, and dignified conditions of confinement for persons deprived of liberty, as well as adequate working conditions for the administrative, police, and technical staff who provide their services in said prison center. In this regard, the actions adopted were intended to guarantee the normal development of the center's daily activities and ensure that the basic needs of the prison population and institutional personnel were met without interruptions or more serious effects, and thus avoid unsanitary conditions, accumulation of waste, foul odors, and an immediate risk to health, physical integrity, and human dignity. Additionally, it is pertinent to note that, complementarily to the intake of the water resource from external sources, various internal logistical and operational procedures were executed, in coordination with police mobile units and administrative vehicles assigned to the Transportation Department.These actions consisted of transporting and filling storage tanks from the UAI Reynaldo Villalobos sector, in order to subsequently redistribute the water resource to the different areas of coexistence, administrative areas, and essential zones of the prison center. The actions described were carried out as extraordinary, temporary, and proportional measures, aimed at mitigating the effects of the contingency that arose, ensuring institutional operability, and preventing possible situations of sanitary or security risk or affecting internal order, all in compliance with the Public Administration's legal duty to guarantee the effective provision of services under its responsibility. It is important to bring to your authority's attention that this Administration has executed in a timely and diligent manner all necessary steps to remedy the shortage in the water supply that affected the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center, a situation caused by technical failures beyond the scope of institutional control.Said actions have been developed under the principles of effectiveness, continuity of public service, and due administrative diligence. As a result of the measures adopted, it is considered that the impact generated by the referenced contingency has been duly mitigated, guaranteeing the attention of the basic needs of both the population deprived of liberty and the personnel working in the prison center. Likewise, the implementation of permanent monitoring and supervision mechanisms has been arranged, in order to verify the stability of the supply and immediately adopt any corrective action that may be necessary, until the full, regular, and definitive reestablishment of the water supply is achieved. It is important to inform your authority that, currently, the Administration is taking the necessary steps and executing the corresponding corrective actions to resolve the situation that arose, within the technical and administrative margins allowed.In this regard, the Administration of this prison center reports, via official letter A-JAMC-054-2026 issued on January 26, 2026, that, as indicated by the Architecture Department of the Ministry of Justice and Peace in an email on January 20, 2026, it is estimated that the repair will take approximately a month and a half. The foregoing is carried out with the objective of guaranteeing that both the population deprived of liberty and the institutional personnel have optimal, safe, and adequate conditions for access to and provision of the service, in strict adherence to the principles of legality, reasonableness, and protection of fundamental rights. In relation to the petitioner's allegation that the water shortage has generated unsanitary conditions, waste accumulation, foul odors, and an immediate risk to health, physical integrity, and human dignity, the Prison Police command reports that the collection of waste and cleaning of spaces has not suffered any variation because a "chapulín" type vehicle with a cart is available for the constant transport of waste, which prevents the production of foul odors and plagues.This waste is collected at least 2 times per week by garbage trucks from the Municipality of Alajuela. For the reasons indicated, and as far as the authorities of this prison center are concerned, we request that we be exempted from all blame and responsibility for the facts alleged in this Amparo Action, since, as has been duly demonstrated, the fundamental rights of the Prison Police and the persons deprived of liberty have not been harmed." She requests that the action filed be dismissed.
4. 4Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, in his capacity as director of Adaptación Social, reports under oath (report rendered on January 29, 2026), in terms similar to the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center.
5. 5María Antonieta Acuña Hernández, in her capacity as a.i. director of the Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2, reports under oath (report rendered on February 8, 2026), in the following terms: "In response to the request for information required by resolution dated January 23, 2026, and in follow-up to the case indicated in the subject line, it is stated that officials of the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 carried out inspection visits, the last one on February 2, 2026, to the La Reforma Prison Center, specifically to the CAI Nombre02 (official letter CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0403-2026). On site, as indicated, the officials Ilena Solano Guevara (administration) and Bernal Chacón Muñoz (security chief) attended. 1. Regarding the problem of drinking water shortage in the Occidental Prison Complex, the Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Norte requested information from the La Reforma Clinic on this situation and contingency measures in the event of a potential gastrointestinal outbreak. 2.By official letter No. CLR-250-2026, Dr. Rafael González Cortés, a.i. director of the La Reforma Clinic (see attached copy), indicated that, as of January 21, 2026, no increase in medical consultations for gastrointestinal symptoms in the prison population linked to the interruption of the drinking water supply had been recorded. As contingency measures, the following have been implemented: • Continuous water supply by cistern truck, with an approximate frequency of two to three daily entries by AyA (potable) and Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica (non-potable). • Provision of four drums per module, which are resupplied each time they are depleted. • Differentiated availability of drinking water for human consumption and non-potable water for sanitary use (bathrooms). • Maintains permanent surveillance of the situation in the medical area of the Occidental Prison Complex. 3. On behalf of this Directorate, on January 28, 2026, sanitary order No. MS-DRRSCNDARSA2-OS-017-2026 was issued, regarding opportunities for improvement in the logistics of the provisional supply of drinking water in the Occidental Prison Complex.The foregoing, taking as inputs the inspections carried out by the Regulation Team. It is worth mentioning that the centers are being supplied with water by cistern trucks from AyA and Bomberos (potable and non-potable water, respectively) and certain areas maintain the drinking water supply through pipes. The administrative act was addressed to the Dirección General de Adaptación Social and is known to the directorates of the prison centers. This sanitary order is within its compliance period. 4. On January 30, 2026, an inter-institutional meeting was held between the Ministry of Justice and Peace and the Ministry of Health, via Microsoft Teams (see attached log), in which the following actions were agreed: • Installation of drums with spigots to prevent water manipulation with containers, thereby reducing water contamination. • Sampling of water stored in drums to measure its chlorination. • Summoning AyA representatives to the next meeting to assess water supply to the center. • Extension of medical care hours for 02/01/2026. • Distribution of personal hygiene supplies, toilet paper, alcohol-based hand sanitizer. • Establishment of direct communication lines. 5.Due to the application of the new specific guidelines for the High Containment Circuits of the National Prison System, the Directorate of the CAIs must respect the profile of the person deprived of liberty to apply specific security protocols, such as the number of officers necessary to enter the dormitories. 6. On February 2, 2026, as recorded in ocular inspection act No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0380-2026, the official Diana Espinoza Navarro appeared at the facilities of the CAI Nombre02 to assess the physical-sanitary conditions and drinking water supply. The foregoing, in response to the following amparo actions: 26-002130-0007-CO, 26-001878-0007-CO, 26-002129-0007-CO, and 26-001778-0007-CO. At the prison center, Messrs. Andy Betancourt Prendas, Bernardo Casanova A., Miguel Fallas Jiménez, Luis Carlos Jiménez C., and other Prison Police officers attended. 7. Regarding the physical-sanitary problems raised by Mrs.Nombre01, the following is stated: a. Regarding the prolonged cutoff of drinking water: The cutoff referenced is associated with a major failure in the main well pump located in the CAI Luis Paulino Mora Mora. According to what was stated by the Dirección General de Adaptación Social, the repairs could take at least one more month; therefore, they have implemented the measures described above, and these are applied for the prison population and the personnel of the Ministry of Justice and Peace. b. Insufficient water supply for the population (inmates and police officers): Regarding this point, the distribution of water by AyA cisterns was corroborated. The water is stored in drums, and these are distributed in the dormitories of persons deprived of liberty and police officers, as well as in the administrative offices. In addition to what was pointed out, packages of up to 6 liters per day, containers (such as jugs and carboys), personal hygiene and cleaning items are allowed from family members and acquaintances of the persons deprived of liberty.For their part, as indicated by the center authorities, the acquisition of drums with airtight lids is being managed, and they are building devices to dispense water, in compliance with what was requested in sanitary order MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026. The sanitary authority pointed out that, during the tour, drums with potable and non-potable water were observed, and in the prison police dormitories, it was verified that water did arrive (low flow). According to the authorities, at night the tank that supplies the CAI is filled with water from the secondary well; however, the source is limited. c. Accumulation of waste and foul odors: Regarding waste collection, this has not been affected by the well pump failure. In general, during the visit, the spaces and surroundings of the referenced CAI were observed to be clean. The officials of the Ministry of Justice and Peace periodically deliver cleaning supplies (brooms, shovels, disinfectants, and chlorine).Therefore, the sanitary authority concluded that, despite the interruption of the drinking water service in the Complex, and in the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, currently the persons deprived of liberty, prison police, and administrative staff have a drinking water supply through the use of AyA cistern trucks and the secondary well of the La Reforma aqueduct system. Likewise, it has the support of non-potable water for cleaning tasks and toilet flushing supplied by the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica. Additionally, in reference to sanitary order MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, it was determined that the Ministry of Justice and Peace is executing the requested measures, such that no sanitary deficiencies or health problems were determined in the population (persons deprived of liberty and personnel) that warranted the issuance of new administrative acts. In any case, compliance with the referenced sanitary order will be followed up through meetings and inspections at the establishment, until the existing problem in the main well that supplies drinking water to the La Reforma Prison Complex is corrected."
6. 6In the procedures followed, the legal prescriptions have been observed.

Drafter: Magistrate Araya García; and,

Considerando:

I.Purpose of the action. The petitioner claims violation of the fundamental rights of the protected parties, as she indicates that in the Institutional Care Center Nombre02 there is a prolonged and continuous cutoff of the drinking water supply, meaning there has not been sufficient water for human consumption, which causes unsanitary conditions. Despite this, the prison authorities have not taken any action to resolve this problem.

II.Preliminary issues. Before analyzing the merits of the matter, it must be clarified that, upon better consideration, this Chamber decided to dismiss on procedural grounds the amparo actions filed on behalf of sentenced persons deprived of liberty, since precept 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code grants broad powers to the enforcement judges, who are only subject to the law (in the broad sense), international treaties, and the Political Constitution. Consequently, regarding the matter specific to the execution of the sentence, the prison authorities are subordinate to what the sentence enforcement judges decide, and it is these, in their capacity as justice operators, who are primarily called to resolve the petitions that sentenced persons deprived of liberty raise in defense of their rights (including fundamental ones) during the serving of the sentence. Thus, concerning the exercise of jurisdictional protection of fundamental rights, the Chamber would only hear the cases admitted via habeas corpus, given that amparo is inadmissible against jurisdictional decisions and actions of the Judicial Branch (subsection 30(b) of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), the latter with the exception of matters referring to judicial delay in the terms established by the jurisprudence of this court, access to constitutional justice, and those relating to issues of human dignity, health, and life of the protected parties, whose resolution should not be delayed by referring the petitioner to the sentence enforcement jurisdiction.

Precisely, in the case at hand, an exception case arises, as a situation is alleged that could generate health conditions that threaten the fundamental rights of the protected parties, persons deprived of liberty of the appealed prison center. Having clarified this point, we proceed to resolve the situation claimed in this matter.

III.Proven facts. Of importance for the decision in this matter, the following facts are deemed duly proven, either because they have been thus accredited or because the respondent has omitted to refer to them as provided in the initial order:

• a)Since January 13, 2026, the supply of drinking water in the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro has not occurred, due to a major failure of the pump located in well 1 of the CAI Luis Paulino Mora Mora, the repair of which could take at least 1 month (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• b)Given the indicated problem, the prison center has indicated the following: "(…) among the procedures undertaken, coordination was made with the competent authorities, including Acueductos y Alcantarillados, and the Fire Department, this in order to request the required assistance so that they could provide us with the cistern trucks that both institutions have; therefore, in response to our request, both institutions have collaborated with us to date with the water transport units belonging to the Fire Department 341-479 and that of AyA 102-1545; it should be noted that to date these units enter once per day according to their availability and operability to supply the trucks, cooperating satisfactorily with our problem. (official letter JEF-0117-26-2026, official letter JEF-0114-2026, and official letter JEF-0118-2026 are attached, which demonstrate the actions described evidencing the police action)" (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• c)On January 27, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health conducted an inspection due to the drinking water shortage in the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, with the following result: "(…) Once the inspection visit to the place in question was completed, it was possible to demonstrate that there are no breaches of physical-sanitary conditions representing health problems (…)" (sic) (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• d)On January 28, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health notified the Dirección General de Adaptación Social of sanitary order No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, with the following actions: "(…) Perform rechlorination in the drums in which water for consumption is stored, following the proportion of five teaspoons or two capfuls of liquid chlorine per drum, according to PAHO (…) Immediate (…) Readjust the containers for directly consumed drinking water: - The containers must be obligatorily closed, with airtight lid or equivalent system, to prevent direct manipulation of the water and contact with hands, cups, or other objects - In case of budgetary limitations, the existing drums must be adapted with a lid and a system like a faucet or tap in the lower part, which allows water extraction without needing to open the container. - Alternatively, closed containers with integrated nozzles or dispensers may be purchased, designed to guarantee the hygiene and safety of water intended for human consumption (…) 5 business days (…) Present a comprehensive maintenance, rehabilitation, and monitoring plan for the well pumping systems that includes: - Equipment inventory - Failure history - Status of critical components (control systems, power wiring, pipes, valves) - Schedule of inspections and maintenance activities (mechanical, electrical, and lubrication), cleanings, among others. - Identification of critical spare parts. - Keep critical inventory in stock (…) 10 business days (…)" (sic) (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• e)On March 11, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health carried out an inspection with the following result: "(…) In the inspection visit made to the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center, at the time of the inspection tour, it was evident that the CAI has a drinking water supply; it was evident that the medical offices for both staff and persons deprived of liberty, in addition to the kitchens for both staff and persons deprived of liberty, have potable water. • The drinking water service was reestablished as of March 6, 2026 (…) Once the inspection visit was concluded, the problems raised by the petitioner in this amparo action against the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center were not evident, it being important to emphasize that as of March 6, 2026, the drinking water service was reestablished normally" (sic) (the emphasis does not belong to the original) (see the evidence provided in case file no. 26-006445-0007-CO).

IV.On the specific case. This Sala Constitucional, through judgment No. 2026005391 at 09:34 hours on February 13, 2026, resolved amparo action No. 26-001448-0007-CO, filed in identical terms to the present one:

"(…) In the case at hand, the petitioner indicates that the protected party is deprived of liberty in the CAI Nombre02 and alleges that, both that CAI and the CAI Terrazas are experiencing a water shortage. She details that the protected party has a stomach ailment, as they are given non-potable water. She points out that she has sent emails to the Contraloría de Servicios of the Ministry of Justice and Peace, but what they tell her is that it is false that there is no water. She reproaches that the entry of hygiene items is only allowed every 2 months. From the case file, it is apparent that the protected person is deprived of liberty in the condition of sentenced prisoner in coexistence area C of the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro. In January 2026, the responding CAI experienced a shortage of drinking water due to technical failures in the extraction system of well no. 1, and the responding prison center adopted provisional measures to provide water to the prison population.

Given the foregoing, by means of the resolution on the course of this amparo, the Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2 was requested to carry out an inspection of the prison center, for the purpose of confirming or ruling out the unsanitary problems. In this sense, after the inspection, through sanitary order no. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 of January 28, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health ordered the Dirección General de Adaptación Social: "In adherence to current legislation, the Ministry of Health has the technical, political, and legal competence to dictate and order actions in matters of Public and Environmental Health protection.

Pursuant to the foregoing, and in follow-up to the Amparo Appeals (Recursos de Amparo) under case file numbers 26-001448-0007-CO and 26-001879-0007-CO filed by Ms. Nombre04 and Ms. Nombre05, regarding the shortage of drinking water in the Institutional Care Centers (Centros de Atención Institucional, CAI) Nombre02 and Nombre06. The foregoing was due to an operational failure of the well 1 pump. As stated in document CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0285-2026 (see attached copy), inspections were carried out on January 27, 2026, and it was deemed appropriate for the Ministry of Justice and Peace, through its various organizational units, to proceed to (…)

The administrative act (Sanitary Order) has the fundamental purpose of protecting the health of the population and the environment. The foregoing is legally based on Article 50 of our Political Constitution, the General Health Law (Ley General de Salud) Articles 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 272, 273 and 355, the Regulation for Drinking Water Quality (Reglamento para la calidad del Agua Potable, DE-38924-S), and other related laws. Upon non-compliance, a fine of one base salary will be imposed in accordance with Article 378 of the General Health Law: "Anyone failing to comply with the special or general orders or measures issued by the health authorities shall be subject to a fixed fine of one base salary, provided the act does not constitute a crime...". It is warned that failure to comply with this sanitary order will result in filing a complaint before the Public Ministry for the crime of disobedience under Article 314 of the Criminal Code (Código Penal): "314.

Disobedience. Imprisonment of six months to three years shall be imposed on anyone who fails to comply or fails to enforce compliance, in all its aspects, with an order issued by a jurisdictional body or by a public official in the exercise of their functions, provided it has been personally communicated, unless it concerns their own detention." "In accordance with Articles 60 and following of the Organic Law of the Ministry of Health, in relation to this sanitary order, it is possible to file Appeals for Revocation with Subsidiary Appeal within five business days counted from its notification. The appeal may be filed before the Office of the Health Area and, if necessary, the revocation will be resolved by the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Health and, if necessary, the appeal will be resolved by the Ministry of Health." In this regard, it is proven that, although the CAI adopted measures to provide water to the persons deprived of liberty, the means were not optimal and, therefore, the aforementioned sanitary order was issued.

Hence, it is proven that there is harm to the fundamental rights of the protected party, as an unsanitary situation related to the drinking water supply is verified. From this perspective, the appeal should be granted in the terms set forth in the operative part (…)

Therefore:

The appeal is granted. Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, in his capacity as general director of Social Adaptation (Adaptación Social), as well as Melissa González Gaitán, in her capacity as acting director of the Institutional Care Center Nombre02, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to issue the pertinent orders and make the necessary arrangements within their respective areas of competence, so that, IMMEDIATELY, they comply with the provisions of Sanitary Order No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 of January 28, 2026, issued by the Alajuela 2 Health Governing Area, within the deadlines established therein. The respondent authorities are warned that, in accordance with Article 71 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), imprisonment of three months to two years, or a fine of twenty to sixty days, shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, issued within an amparo appeal, and fails to comply with it or fails to enforce compliance, provided the crime is not more severely punished. The State is ordered to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the acts giving rise to this declaration, which shall be settled during the execution of the sentence in the contentious-administrative jurisdiction. Magistrate Rueda Leal makes a note. Notify (…)" (sic) (emphasis not in original).

Subsequently, this Constitutional Chamber analyzed another case related to the matter claimed here (case file No. 26-006445-0007-CO, judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 a.m. on March 27, 2026), in which it was verified that on March 11, 2026, the Alajuela 2 Health Governing Area of the Ministry of Health carried out an inspection with the following result: "(…) In the inspection visit carried out at the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center, at the time of the inspection tour, it was evident that the CAI has a drinking water supply. It was evident that the medical offices for both staff and persons deprived of liberty, as well as the kitchens for both staff and persons deprived of liberty, have drinking water. • The drinking water service was restored as of March 6, 2026 (…) Once the inspection visit was concluded, the problems raised by the appellant in this amparo appeal against the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center were not evidenced, and it is important to emphasize that since March 6, 2026, the drinking water service was restored to normal" (sic) (emphasis not in original).

Thus, in said decision (judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 a.m. on March 27, 2026), the following was stated:

"V.- In addition to the foregoing, it must be highlighted that according to what was indicated by the Alajuela 2 Health Governing Area of the Ministry of Health, as of March 6, 2026, the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, the medical offices, and the kitchens have a normal supply of drinking water." Consequently, the appellant must abide by the decision set forth in this latter judgment.

V.Conclusion. Let the appellant abide by the decision set forth in judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 a.m. on March 27, 2026.

VI. NOTE BY MAGISTRATE RUEDA LEAL

I warn that regarding the jurisdictional protection of fundamental rights, the Chamber would only hear cases submitted for its consideration via the habeas corpus appeal, with the exceptions already mentioned for the amparo process. Additionally, the avenue of the unconstitutionality action—abstract constitutionality control—remains open, provided the appellant meets the requirements established in Articles 73 to 79 of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction.

VII. DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED TO THE CASE FILE

The parties are warned that if they have submitted any paper documents, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computing, magnetic, optical, telematic device, or one produced by new technologies, these must be collected from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, any material not collected within this period will be destroyed, pursuant to the provisions of the "Regulation on Electronic Case Files before the Judicial Branch" (Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial), approved by the Full Court in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI, and published in Judicial Bulletin (Boletín Judicial) number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Superior Council of the Judicial Branch in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.

Therefore:

Let the appellant abide by the decision set forth in judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 a.m. on March 27, 2026. Magistrate Rueda Leal records a note.

Fernando Castillo V.

President Fernando Cruz C.

Paul Rueda L.

Luis Fdo. Salazar A.

Jorge Araya G.

Anamari Garro V.

Ingrid Hess H.

CASE FILE N° 26-002129-0007-CO Telephones: Telf01/ ALA-4TA (Telf02). Fax: Telf03 / Telf04. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 mts. Sur de la iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro).

Insufficient water supply for the population (inmates and police): Regarding this point, the distribution of water by AyA tanker trucks was corroborated. The water is stored in barrels (estañones) and these are distributed in the dormitories of the inmates and police; as well as in the administrative offices. In addition to the above, packages (encomiendas) of up to 6 liters per day, containers (such as drums and carboys), personal hygiene and cleaning items, from family members and acquaintances of the inmates are permitted. For their part, according to the center's authorities, the acquisition of barrels with airtight lids is being processed and they are building devices to dispense water, the foregoing in compliance with what was requested in the sanitary order MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026. The health authority indicated that, during the tour, barrels with drinking water and non-drinking water were observed, and in the prison police dormitories it was verified that water did arrive (low flow).

According to the authorities, at night the tank that supplies the CAI is loaded with water from the secondary well; however, the source is limited. c. Accumulation of waste and bad odors: Regarding waste collection, this has not been affected by the failure of the well pump. In general, during the visit, the spaces and surroundings of the referred CAI were observed to be clean. Officials from the Ministry of Justice and Peace periodically deliver cleaning supplies (brooms, shovels, disinfectants, and chlorine). Based on the foregoing, the health authority concluded that, despite the interruption of drinking water service in the Complex, and in the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, currently the inmates, prison police, and administrative staff have a drinking water supply through the use of AyA tanker trucks and the secondary well of the La Reforma aqueduct system. Likewise, it has the support of non-potable water for cleaning and toilet flushing tasks supplied by the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica.

Furthermore, in reference to the sanitary order MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, it was determined that the Ministry of Justice and Peace is implementing the requested measures, therefore no sanitary deficiencies or health problems were determined in the population (inmates and officials) that would warrant the issuance of new administrative acts. In any case, compliance with the referred sanitary order will be followed up through meetings and inspections at the establishment, until the existing problem in the main well that supplies drinking water to the La Reforma Prison Complex is corrected."

1. 6In the proceedings followed, the legal prescriptions have been observed.

Redacted by Magistrate Araya García; and,

Considering:

I.Object of the remedy. The appellant claims a violation of the fundamental rights of the amparados (persons protected by the writ), as she indicates that in the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Attention Center there is a prolonged and continuous cut in the drinking water supply, so there has not been enough water for human consumption, causing unsanitary conditions. Despite the foregoing, the prison authorities have not taken any action to solve this problem.

II.Preliminary issues. Before analyzing the merits of the matter, it must be clarified that, under a better assessment, this Chamber decided to reject outright the amparo remedies filed on behalf of sentenced inmates, since article 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code grants broad powers to the enforcement judges (jueces de ejecución), who are only subject to the law (in a broad sense), international treaties, and the Political Constitution. Consequently, regarding matters pertaining to the execution of the sentence, the prison authorities are subject to what the enforcement judges decide, and it is these judges, in their capacity as justice operators, who are first called upon to resolve the petitions of sentenced inmates filed in defense of their rights (including fundamental ones) during the enforcement of the sentence. Thus, concerning the exercise of jurisdictional protection of fundamental rights, the Chamber would only hear cases admitted through habeas corpus, since the amparo remedy is inadmissible against jurisdictional resolutions and actions of the Judicial Branch (subsection 30(b) of the Law of Constitutional Jurisdiction), the latter with the exception of matters referring to judicial delay under the terms set forth by this court's jurisprudence, access to constitutional justice, and those relating to issues of human dignity, health, and life of the amparados, whose resolution should not be delayed by referring the appellant to the sentence enforcement jurisdiction.

Precisely, in the sub lite, an exception scenario is presented, since a situation is reported that could generate sanitary conditions that threaten the fundamental rights of the amparados, inmates of the challenged prison center. Having clarified the point, we proceed to resolve the situation claimed in this matter.

III.Proven facts. Of importance for the decision of this matter, the following facts are deemed duly proven, either because they have been accredited or because the respondent omitted to refer to them as foreseen in the initial order:

• a)As of January 13, 2026, there has been no drinking water supply in the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, due to a major failure of the pump located in well 1 of the CAI Luis Paulino Mora Mora, whose repair could take at least 1 month (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• b)Given the indicated problem, the following has been reported at the prison center: "(…) among the actions carried out, coordination was made with the competent authorities, including Acueductos y Alcantarillados, and the Fire Department, this to request the required help so they could provide us with the tanker trucks available to both institutions, so in response to our request both institutions have collaborated with us to date with the water transport units belonging to the Fire Department 341-479 and that of the AyA 102-1545, it should be noted that to date these units enter once a day according to their availability and operability to supply the trucks, collaborating satisfactorily with our problem. (attached are official letter JEF-0117-26-2026, official letter JEF-0114-2026, and official letter JEF-0118-2026 which demonstrate the actions described, evidencing police action)" (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• c)On January 27, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health conducted an inspection due to the shortage of drinking water at the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, with the following result: "(…) Once the inspection visit to the place in question was completed, it was possible to show that there are no breaches in the physical-sanitary conditions that represent health problems (…)" (sic) (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• d)On January 28, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health notified the Dirección General de Adaptación Social of sanitary order No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, with the following actions: "(…) Perform rechlorinations in the barrels in which water for consumption is stored, following the proportion of five teaspoons or two bottle caps of liquid chlorine per barrel, according to PAHO (…) Immediately (…) Readjust drinking water containers for direct consumption: - The containers must be mandatorily closed, with an airtight lid or equivalent system, to prevent direct handling of the water and contact with hands, cups, or other objects - In case of budgetary limitations, the existing barrels must be adapted with a lid and a faucet-type or tap system at the bottom, allowing the extraction of water without needing to open the container. - Alternatively, closed containers with integrated spouts or dispensers, designed to guarantee the hygiene and safety of water intended for human consumption, may be acquired (…) 5 business days (…) Submit a comprehensive maintenance, rehabilitation, and monitoring plan for well pumping systems that includes: - Equipment inventory - Failure history - Status of critical components (control systems, power wiring, pipes, valves) - Schedule of inspections and maintenance activities (mechanical, electrical, and lubrication), cleanings, among others. - Identification of critical spare parts. - Maintain critical inventory in stock (…) 10 business days (…)" (sic) (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• e)On March 11, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health conducted an inspection with the following result: "(…) During the inspection visit made to the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Attention Center, at the time of the inspection tour, it was evidenced that the CAI has a drinking water supply, it was evidenced that the medical offices, both that of the officials and that of the inmates, in addition to the kitchens, both of the officials and of the inmates, have drinking water. • The drinking water service was restored as of March 6, 2026 (…) Once the inspection visit was concluded, the problems raised by the appellant in the present amparo remedy against the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Attention Center were not evidenced, it being important to emphasize that since March 6, 2026, the drinking water service has been restored to normal" (sic) (the emphasis does not belong to the original) (see the evidence provided in expediente no. 26-006445-0007-CO).

IV.On the specific case. This Constitutional Chamber, by means of judgment No. 2026005391 at 09:34 hours on February 13, 2026, resolved amparo remedy No.

26-001448-0007-CO, filed in identical terms to the present one:

“(…) In the sub lite, the appellant indicates that the protected person is deprived of liberty in the CAI Nombre02 and alleges that both that CAI and the CAI Terrazas are experiencing a water shortage. She details that the protected person has a stomach ailment, since they are given non-potable water. She points out that she has sent emails to the Contraloría de Servicios of the Ministerio de Justicia y Paz, but what they tell her is that it is false that there is no water. She reproaches that the entry of hygiene items is only permitted every 2 months. From the case records, it is evident that the petitioner is deprived of liberty as a sentenced inmate in living environment C of the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro. In January 2026, the respondent CAI had a shortage of potable water due to technical failures in the extraction system of well no. 1, and the respondent correctional center adopted provisional measures to provide water to the prison population.

In light of the foregoing, through the proceeding order for this amparo, the Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2 was requested to conduct an inspection of the correctional center, for the purposes of accrediting or ruling out the unsanitary conditions. In this regard, following the inspection, through sanitary order (orden sanitaria) no. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 of January 28, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministerio de Salud ordered the Dirección General de Adaptación Social: “In accordance with current legislation, the Ministerio de Salud has the technical, political, and legal competence to dictate and order actions regarding the protection of Public and Environmental Health. By virtue of the foregoing, and in follow-up to the Recursos de Amparo Files No. 26-001448-0007-CO and 26-001879-0007-CO filed by Mrs. Nombre04 and Mrs. Nombre05, regarding the shortage of potable water in the Centros de Atención Institucional (CAI) Nombre02 and Nombre06.

The foregoing, due to an operational failure of the pump in well 1. As stated in document CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0285-2026 (see attached copy); inspections were carried out on January 27, 2026, and it was determined advisable that the Ministerio de Justicia y Paz, through its different organizational units, proceed to (…)

The administrative act (Sanitary Order) has as its fundamental purpose to protect the health of the population and the environment. The foregoing with legal basis in article 50 of our Constitución Política, the Ley General de Salud articles 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 272, 273 and 355, Reglamento para la calidad del Agua Potable (DE-38924-S), other related laws. To the party who fails to comply, a fine of one base salary will be imposed in compliance with the provisions of article 378 of the Ley General de Salud: A fixed fine of one base salary shall be applied to anyone who fails to comply with the special or general orders or measures dictated by the health authorities, provided that the act does not constitute a crime...”. It is warned that upon non-compliance with the present sanitary order, a complaint will be filed before the Ministerio Público for the crime of disobedience, article 314 of the Código Penal “314.

Disobedience Imprisonment of six months to three years shall be imposed on whoever does not comply or does not ensure compliance, in all its extremes, with the order given by a jurisdictional body or by a public official in the exercise of their functions, provided that it has been communicated personally, except if it involves the person's own detention”. “In accordance with articles 60 and following of the Ley Orgánica del Ministerio de Salud, in relation to the present sanitary order, the Recursos de Revocatoria con Apelación de Subsidio may be filed within five business days counted from its notification. The appeal may be filed before the Office of the Área de Salud and, if necessary, the revocation will be resolved by the Dirección Regional of the Ministerio de Salud and, if necessary, the appeal will be resolved by the Ministerio de Salud”.

In this sense, it is accredited that, despite the fact that the CAI adopted measures to provide water to the persons deprived of liberty, the means were not optimal and, for this reason, the aforementioned sanitary order was issued. Hence, the injury to the fundamental rights of the protected party is accredited, as an unsanitary situation is verified in relation to the supply of potable water. From this perspective, it is appropriate to grant the recourse in the terms that will be stated in the operative part (…)

Por tanto:

The recourse is declared with merit. Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, in his capacity as director general of Adaptación Social, is ordered; as well as Melissa González Gaitán, in her capacity as acting director of the centro de atención institucional Nombre02, or whoever holds those positions, to issue the pertinent orders and provide whatever is necessary within the scope of their respective competencies, so that, IMMEDIATELY, they comply with the provisions of sanitary order no. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 of January 28, 2026, issued by the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2, within the deadlines established therein. The respondent authorities are warned that, in accordance with article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty days shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that must be complied with or enforced, dictated within a recurso de amparo, and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided that the crime is not more severely punished. The State is condemned to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts that serve as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in enforcement of judgment of the contencioso administrativo. Judge Rueda Leal adds a note. Notifíquese (…)” (sic) (emphasis does not belong to the original).

Subsequently, this Sala Constitucional analyzed another case referring to what is claimed here (file no. 26-006445-0007-CO, judgment no. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026), in which it was confirmed that on March 11, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministerio de Salud conducted an inspection with the following result: “(…) In the inspection visit conducted at the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, at the time of the inspection tour, it was evidenced that the CAI has a supply of potable water, it was evidenced that the medical offices, both for staff and for persons deprived of liberty, as well as the kitchens, both for staff and for persons deprived of liberty, have potable water. • The potable water service was restored as of March 06, 2026 (…) Once the inspection visit was concluded, the problems raised by the appellant in the present recurso de amparo against the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro were not evidenced, it being important to emphasize that since March 06, 2026, the potable water service was restored normally” (sic) (emphasis does not belong to the original).

Thus, in said resolution (judgment no. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026), the following was indicated:

“V.- In addition to the foregoing, it must be highlighted that according to what the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministerio de Salud indicated, since March 6, 2026, the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, the medical offices, and the kitchens have a normal supply of potable water”.

Therefore, the appellant must abide by what was resolved in this last judgment.

V. Conclusion. The appellant must abide by what was resolved in Judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026

VI. NOTE OF JUDGE RUEDA LEAL

I warn that regarding the jurisdictional protection of fundamental rights, the Chamber would only hear matters submitted to its consideration through the writ of habeas corpus, with the exceptions already mentioned for the amparo process. Additionally, the avenue of the acción de inconstitucionalidad -abstract constitutionality control- remains open provided that the appellant meets the requirements established in articles 73 through 79 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional.

VII. DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO THE FILE

The parties are warned that if any document on paper has been provided, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device or one produced by new technologies, these must be withdrawn from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, any material not withdrawn within this period will be destroyed, as provided in the “Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial”, approved by the Corte Plena in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI and published in the Boletín Judicial number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as in the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.

Por tanto: The appellant must abide by what was resolved in Judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026.

<p>The magistrate Rueda Leal records a note.</p> <p style="margin-top:8pt; margin-bottom:8pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:14pt; background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:9.33pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:ignore">&#xa0;</span></p>

<img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="162" height="74" alt="" style="-aw-left-pos:0pt; -aw-rel-hpos:column; -aw-rel-vpos:paragraph; -aw-top-pos:0pt; -aw-wrap-type:inline" /></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff"><span style="line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub">Luis Fdo.</span></p> Salazar A. | | Jorge Araya G. | | Anamari Garro V. | | | Ingrid Hess H.

Regarding the water shortage, it is reported that all corresponding coordination has been carried out so that the incarcerated population and all officials of the prison center have potable water for drinking and non-potable water for performing daily cleaning and hygiene tasks. These coordinations have been carried out with the Instituto Costarricense de Alcantarillados, which collaborates with tanker trucks, and with the support of the Fire Department. In this regard, the Prison Police Command states that "the problem here is not the water supply but rather that the incarcerated individuals do not ration this important liquid; the situation at this moment does not seem to matter to them, and this occurs despite explaining the situation to them in detail and asking for their collaboration. Even the maintenance department has previously put stop valves and faucets at each potable water intake, but the incarcerated individuals take advantage of every oversight to destroy or remove the valves used to regulate water waste, and thereby regulate the high consumption of water resources that supply the entire prison center." The appellant alleges that the authorities of the prison center have not solved the situation nor guaranteed a sufficient and continuous alternate supply; however, it must be stated that this is not true, as both the police force and the undersigned and the Administration of this prison center have implemented all necessary measures to provide potable and non-potable water to the affected incarcerated population and the officials.

With regard to solving the presented problem, a company has already been contracted to repair the water pump, and they have already carried out the extraction, which is a complex procedure due to the weight and depth of the pump, continuing with the review of the breakdown and the coordination of its replacement or repair. In response to the damage caused by unforeseen technical failures outside the scope of institutional control and responsibility, as reported supra, immediate inter-institutional coordination was undertaken with the competent authorities, specifically with the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AYA) and the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica. The primary purpose of the foregoing was to guarantee, in a timely, continuous, and sufficient manner, the supply of both potable water and non-potable water in the facilities of the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro.

Said management was carried out in strict adherence to the principles of continuity of public service, risk prevention, protection of public health, and safeguarding of fundamental rights, particularly the right to life, to health, and to dignified conditions of confinement for incarcerated persons, as well as adequate working conditions for the administrative, police, and technical staff who provide their services at said prison center. In that sense, the actions adopted had the purpose of guaranteeing the normal development of the center's daily activities and ensuring that the basic needs of the prison population and institutional staff were met without interruptions or serious impact, thus avoiding unsanitary conditions, accumulation of waste, foul odors, and an immediate risk to health, physical integrity, and human dignity. Additionally, it is pertinent to note that, complementary to the entry of water resources from external sources, various internal logistical and operational procedures were carried out, in coordination with mobile police units and administrative vehicles assigned to the Transportation Department.

These actions consisted of transporting and filling storage tanks from the sector of UAI Reynaldo Villalobos, in order to subsequently redistribute the water resources to the different living areas, administrative areas, and essential zones of the prison center. The described actions were carried out as extraordinary, temporary, and proportional measures, aimed at mitigating the effects of the contingency that occurred, ensuring institutional operability, and preventing potential public health, security, or internal order risk situations, all in compliance with the legal duty of the Public Administration to guarantee the effective provision of services under its responsibility. It is important to inform Your Honor that this Administration has timely and diligently executed all necessary actions to remedy the water supply shortage that affected the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, a situation caused by technical failures outside the scope of institutional control.

Said actions have been carried out under the principles of effectiveness, continuity of public service, and due administrative diligence. As a result of the measures adopted, it is considered that the impact generated by the referred contingency has been duly mitigated, guaranteeing the attention of the basic needs of both the incarcerated population and the staff working at the prison center. Likewise, follow-up and permanent supervision mechanisms have been implemented to verify the stability of the supply and immediately adopt any corrective action that may be necessary, until the full, regular, and definitive restoration of the water supply is achieved. It is important to indicate to Your Honor that, at present, the Administration is undertaking the necessary efforts and executing the corresponding corrective actions in order to resolve the situation presented, within the permitted technical and administrative margins.

In this sense, the Administration of this prison center reports via official letter A-JAMC-054-2026, issued on January 26, 2026, that according to the Department of Architecture of the Ministry of Justice and Peace, in an email dated January 20, 2026, it is estimated that the repair will take approximately one and a half months. The foregoing is carried out with the objective of guaranteeing that both the incarcerated population and institutional staff have optimal, safe, and adequate conditions for the access and provision of the service, in strict adherence to the principles of legality, reasonableness, and protection of fundamental rights. In relation to the appellant's allegation that the lack of water has generated unsanitary conditions, accumulation of waste, foul odors, and an immediate risk to health, physical integrity, and human dignity, the command of the Prison Police reports that the collection of waste and cleaning of spaces has not undergone any variation, since a "chapulín" type vehicle with a trailer is available for the constant transport of waste, which prevents the production of foul odors and pests.

This waste is collected at least twice a week by garbage trucks of the Municipality of Alajuela. For the reasons stated, and as far as the authorities of this prison center are concerned, we request that we be exonerated from all guilt and responsibility for the facts alleged in this Amparo Appeal, inasmuch as it has been duly demonstrated that the fundamental rights of the Prison Police and the incarcerated individuals have not been harmed." It requests that the appeal filed be declared without merit. 4.- Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, in his capacity as Director of Adaptación Social, provides a sworn report (report rendered on January 29, 2026), in similar terms to the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro. 5.- María Antonieta Acuña Hernández, in her capacity as a.i. Director of the Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2, provides a sworn report (report rendered on February 8, 2026), in the following terms: “In response to the request for information required by resolution dated January 23, 2026, and in follow-up to the case indicated in the subject line, it is stated that officials of the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 conducted inspection visits, the last one on February 2, 2026, to the La Reforma Prison Complex establishment, specifically to CAI Nombre02 (official letter CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0403-2026).

At the site, as indicated, officials Ilena Solano Guevara (Administration) and Bernal Chacón Muñoz (Head of Security) were present. 1. Regarding the problem of potable water shortage in the Complejo Penitenciario Occidente, the Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Norte requested information from the La Reforma Clinic about this situation and the contingency measures in the event of a potential gastrointestinal outbreak. 2. By official letter No. CLR-250-2026, Dr. Rafael González Cortés, a.i Director of the La Reforma Clinic (see attached copy), indicated that, as of January 21, 2026, no increase in medical consultations for gastrointestinal symptoms had been recorded among the prison population associated with the interruption of the potable water supply. As contingency measures, the following have been implemented: • Continuous water supply via tanker truck, with an approximate frequency of two to three daily entries by AyA (potable) and the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica (non-potable). • Provision of four drums per module, which are replenished each time they are depleted. • Differentiated availability of potable water for human consumption and non-potable water for sanitary use (bathrooms). • Maintains permanent surveillance of the situation in the medical area of the Complejo Penitenciario Occidente. 3.

On behalf of this Directorate, on January 28, 2026, sanitary order No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 was issued, regarding opportunities for improvement in the logistics of the provisional potable water supply in the Complejo Penitenciario Occidente. The foregoing, taking as input the inspections carried out by the Regulation Team. It is worth mentioning that the centers are being supplied with water by tanker trucks from AyA and the Fire Department (potable and non-potable water, respectively), and certain areas maintain the potable water supply through pipes. The administrative act was directed to the Dirección General de Adaptación Social and is known to the directors of the prison centers. This sanitary order is within its compliance period. 4. On January 30, 2026, an inter-institutional meeting was held between the Ministry of Justice and Peace and the Ministry of Health, via Microsoft Teams (see attached log).

At this meeting, the following actions were agreed upon: • Installation of drums with valves to prevent water handling with containers and thereby reduce water contamination. • Sampling of water stored in drums to measure its chlorination. • Convening the next meeting with AyA representatives to assess water supply to the center. • Extension of medical care hours for February 1, 2026. • Distribution of personal hygiene supplies, toilet paper, gel alcohol. • Establishment of direct communication lines. 5. Due to the application of new specific guidelines for the High Containment Circuits of the National Penitentiary System, the Directorate of the CAIs must respect the profile of the incarcerated person to apply specific security protocols, such as the number of officers necessary to enter the dormitories. 6. On February 2, 2026, as recorded in the ocular inspection report No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0380-2026, official Diana Espinoza Navarro appeared at the facilities of CAI Nombre02 to assess the physical-sanitary conditions and potable water supply.

The foregoing, in response to the following amparo appeals: 26-002130-0007-CO, 26-001878-0007-CO, 26-002129-0007-CO, and 26-001778-0007-CO. At the prison center, Messrs. Andy Betancourt Prendas, Bernardo Casanova A., Miguel Fallas Jiménez, Luis Carlos Jiménez C., and other Prison Police officers were present. 7. Regarding the physical-sanitary problems set forth by Mrs. Nombre01, the following is stated: a. Regarding the prolonged potable water cut-off: The cut-off referenced is associated with a major failure in the pump of the main well located in CAI Luis Paulino Mora Mora. According to what was indicated by the Dirección General de Adaptación Social, the repairs could take at least one more month; therefore, they have implemented the measures described above, and these apply to the prison population and officials of the Ministry of Justice and Peace. b. Insufficient water supply for the population (inmates and police): As for this point, the distribution of water by AyA tanker trucks was confirmed.

The water is stored in drums and these are distributed in the dormitories of the incarcerated individuals and police, as well as in the administrative offices. In addition to the foregoing, package deliveries of up to 6 liters per day of containers (drum and jug type), personal hygiene and cleaning items are permitted from family members and acquaintances of the incarcerated individuals. On their part, as indicated by the center authorities, the acquisition of drums with hermetic lids is being managed, and they are building devices to dispense water, in compliance with what was requested in sanitary order MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026. The sanitary authority noted that, during the tour, drums with potable and non-potable water were observed, and in the dormitories of the prison police, it was confirmed that water did arrive (low flow). According to the authorities, at night, the tank that supplies the CAI is filled with water from the secondary well; however, the source is limited. c. Accumulation of waste and foul odors: Regarding waste collection, this has not been affected by the pump failure in the well.

In general, during the visit, the spaces and surroundings of the referred CAI were observed to be clean. Ministry of Justice and Peace officials periodically provide cleaning supplies (brooms, shovels, disinfectants, and chlorine). Based on the foregoing, the sanitary authority concluded that, despite the interruption of the potable water service in the Complex, and in CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, the incarcerated individuals, prison police, and administrative officials currently have a potable water supply through the use of tanker trucks from AyA and the secondary well of the La Reforma aqueduct system. Likewise, there is support from non-potable water for cleaning tasks and sanitary toilet flushing, supplied by the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica. Furthermore, in reference to sanitary order MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, it was determined that the Ministry of Justice and Peace is executing the requested measures; therefore, no sanitary deficiencies or health problems were determined in the population (incarcerated individuals and officials) that would warrant the issuance of new administrative acts.

In any case, compliance with the referred sanitary order will be monitored through meetings and inspections of the establishment until the existing problem with the main well that supplies potable water to the Complejo Penitenciario La Reforma is corrected." 6.- The legal requirements have been observed in the procedures followed.

Drafted by Judge Araya García; and, Considering: I.- Object of the appeal. The appellant claims a violation of the fundamental rights of the amparo petitioners, stating that in Centro de Atención Institucional Nombre02 there has been a prolonged and continuous cut-off of the potable water supply, meaning there has not been sufficient water for human consumption, which causes unsanitary conditions. Despite the foregoing, the prison authorities have taken no action to resolve this problem. II.- Preliminary matters. Before analyzing the merits of the case, it must be clarified that, upon better consideration, this Chamber decided to summarily dismiss the amparo appeals filed on behalf of sentenced incarcerated individuals, given that precept 482 of the Código Procesal Penal grants broad powers to the execution judges, who are only subject to the law (in a broad sense), international treaties, and the Political Constitution.

Consequently, regarding matters pertaining to the execution of the sentence, the prison authorities are subordinate to the decisions of the sentence execution judges, and it is the latter, in their capacity as justice operators, who are the first called upon to resolve the petitions of sentenced incarcerated individuals that are raised in defense of their rights (including fundamental ones) during the serving of the sentence. Thus, concerning the exercise of jurisdictional protection of fundamental rights, the Chamber would only hear cases admitted through the habeas corpus route, since amparo is inadmissible against jurisdictional resolutions and actions of the Judiciary (subsection 30 b) of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), this latter with the exception of matters referred to judicial delay in the terms established by the jurisprudence of this court, access to constitutional justice, and those relating to issues of human dignity, health, and life of the amparo petitioners, whose resolution should not be delayed by referring the appellant to the sentence execution jurisdiction.

Precisely, in the sub lite case, an exception is presented, as a situation is reported that could generate public health conditions that threaten the fundamental rights of the amparo petitioners, incarcerated individuals of the respondent prison center. Once the point is clarified, we proceed to resolve the situation claimed in this matter. III.- Proven facts. Of importance for the decision in this matter, the following facts are deemed duly proven, either because they have been so accredited or because the respondent has omitted to refer to them as provided in the initial order:

(attached are official memoranda JEF-0117-26-2026, JEF-0114-2026, and JEF-0118-2026 which demonstrate the actions described, evidencing the police action)” (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).

• c)On January 27, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health conducted an inspection due to the shortage of potable water (agua potable) at the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, with the following result: “(…) Once the inspection visit to the site in question was carried out, it was possible to demonstrate that there are no non-compliances in physical-sanitary conditions that represent health problems (…)” (sic) (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• d)On January 28, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health notified the Dirección General de Adaptación Social of sanitary order no. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, with the following actions: “(…) Rechlorinate the barrels in which water (agua) for consumption is stored, following the proportion of five teaspoons or two bottle caps of liquid chlorine per barrel, according to PAHO (…) Immediate (…) Re-adapt the containers for potable water (agua potable) for direct consumption: - The containers must be obligatorily closed, with a hermetic lid or equivalent system, to prevent the direct manipulation of the water (agua) and contact with hands, cups or other objects - In the event of budgetary limitations, the existing barrels must be adapted with a lid and a tap or faucet-type system at the bottom, allowing water (agua) to be extracted without needing to open the container. - Alternatively, closed containers with integrated nozzles or dispensers, designed to guarantee the hygiene and safety of water (agua) intended for human consumption, may be acquired (…) 5 working days (…) Submit a comprehensive maintenance, rehabilitation and monitoring plan for the well pumping systems that includes: - Equipment inventory - Failure history - Status of critical components (control systems, power cabling, pipes, valves) - Schedule of inspections and maintenance activities (mechanical, electrical and lubrication), cleanings, among others. - Identification of critical spare parts. - Maintain critical stock inventory (…) 10 working days (…)” (sic) (see the reports rendered and the evidence provided).
• e)On March 11, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health carried out an inspection with the following result: “(…) During the inspection visit made to the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, at the time of the inspection walkthrough it was demonstrated that the CAI has a supply of potable water (agua potable), it was demonstrated that the medical offices, both the one for staff and the one for persons deprived of liberty, in addition to the kitchens, both for staff and for persons deprived of liberty, have potable water (agua potable). • The potable water (agua potable) service was reestablished as of March 6, 2026 (…) Once the inspection visit concluded, the issues raised by the petitioner in the present amparo appeal against the Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro were not demonstrated, it being important to emphasize that since March 6, 2026, the potable water (agua potable) service has been reestablished in a normal manner” (sic) (the emphasis does not belong to the original) (see the evidence provided in case file no. 26-006445-0007-CO).

IV.Regarding the specific case. This Constitutional Chamber, through judgment No. 2026005391 at 09:34 hours on February 13, 2026, resolved the amparo appeal (recurso de amparo) No. 26-001448-0007-CO, filed in identical terms to the present one:

“(…) In the sub lite case, the petitioner indicates that the protected person is deprived of liberty in the CAI Nombre02 and alleges that, both that CAI and the CAI Terrazas, are experiencing a shortage of water (agua). She details that the protected person has an upset stomach, because they give him non-potable water (agua no potable). She points out that she has sent emails to the Contraloría de Servicios of the Ministry of Justice and Peace, but what they tell her is that it is false that there is no water (agua). She reproaches that the entry of hygiene articles is only allowed every 2 months. From the case file it emerges that the person under protection is deprived of liberty as a sentenced person in living unit C of the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro. In January 2026, the respondent CAI had a shortage of potable water (agua potable) due to technical failures in the extraction system of well no. 1 and the respondent prison center adopted provisional measures to provide water (agua) to the prison population.

In view of the foregoing, through the course resolution of this amparo, the Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2 was asked to conduct an inspection of the prison center, for the purpose of confirming or discarding the unsanitary conditions. In this regard, after the inspection, through sanitary order no. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 of January 28, 2026, the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 of the Ministry of Health ordered the Dirección General de Adaptación Social: “In accordance with current legislation, the Ministry of Health has the technical, political, and legal competence to dictate and order actions on matters of Public and Environmental Health protection. By virtue of the above, and in follow-up to the Amparo Appeals Case Files No. 26-001448-0007-CO and 26-001879-0007-CO appealed by Mrs. Nombre04 and Mrs. Nombre05, regarding the shortage of potable water (agua potable) in the Centros de Atención Institucional (CAI) Nombre02 and Nombre06.

The foregoing, due to an operational failure of the pump at well 1. As stated in document CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0285-2026 (see attached copy); inspections were carried out on January 27, 2026, and it was determined advisable that the Ministry of Justice and Peace, through its different organizational units, proceed to (…)

The administrative act (Sanitary Order) has the fundamental purpose of protecting the health of the population and the environment. The foregoing with legal basis in article 50 of our Political Constitution, the General Health Law articles 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 272, 273 and 355, Reglamento para la calidad del Agua Potable (DE-38924-S), other related laws. To the party failing to comply, a fine of one base salary will be imposed in compliance with the provisions of article 378 of the General Health Law: A fixed fine of one base salary shall be applied to anyone failing to comply with the orders or special or general measures dictated by the health authorities, provided that the act does not constitute a crime...”. It is warned that in the event of non-compliance with this sanitary order, a complaint will be filed before the Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of disobedience, article 314 of the Penal Code “314.

Disobedience A prison term of six months to three years shall be imposed on whoever fails to comply or fails to enforce, in all its aspects, the order given by a jurisdictional body or by a public official in the exercise of their duties, provided that it has been communicated personally, except if it concerns one's own detention.” “In accordance with articles 60 and following of the Ley Orgánica del Ministerio de Salud, in relation to this sanitary order, it is appropriate to file Appeals for Reconsideration with a Subsidiary Appeal within five working days counted from its notification. The appeal may be filed before the Office of the Área de Salud and, if necessary, the reconsideration will be resolved by the Dirección Regional del Ministerio de Salud and, if necessary, the appeal will be resolved by the Ministry of Health.” In this regard, it is proven that, despite the CAI adopting measures to provide water (agua) to the persons deprived of liberty, the means were not optimal and, therefore, the aforementioned sanitary order was issued.

Hence, the violation of the fundamental rights of the protected party is proven, as a situation of unsanitary conditions is verified in relation to the supply of potable water (agua potable). From this perspective, it is appropriate to grant the appeal in the terms to be stated in the operative part (…)

Por tanto:

This appeal is declared with merit. Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, in his capacity as Director General of Adaptación Social, is hereby ordered; as well as Melissa González Gaitán, in her capacity as Acting Director of the centro de atención institucional Nombre02, or whoever holds those positions, to issue the pertinent orders and arrange what is necessary within the scope of their respective competences, so that, IMMEDIATELY, they comply with the provisions of sanitary order no. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 of January 28, 2026, issued by the Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2, within the timeframes established therein. The respondent authorities are warned that, in accordance with article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, a prison term of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty days shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order that they must comply with or enforce, issued within an amparo appeal and does not comply with it or does not enforce it, provided the crime is not more severely penalized. The State is ordered to pay the costs, damages and losses caused by the events serving as the basis for this declaration, which shall be liquidated in the execution of a judgment from the contentious-administrative jurisdiction. Judge Rueda Leal notes. Notify (…)” (sic) (the emphasis does not belong to the original).

Subsequently, this Constitutional Chamber analyzed another case regarding the matter claimed here (case file no.

26-006445-0007-CO, judgment no. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026), in which it was verified that on March 11, 2026, the Alajuela 2 Health Governing Area (Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2) of the Ministry of Health carried out an inspection with the following result: "(...) During the inspection visit conducted at the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center (Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro), at the time of the inspection walkthrough it was evident that the CAI has a potable water supply; it was evident that the medical offices, both for staff and for persons deprived of liberty, as well as the kitchens for both staff and persons deprived of liberty, have potable water. • The potable water service was reestablished as of March 6, 2026 (...) Once the inspection visit was concluded, the problems raised by the petitioner in this amparo appeal against the Jorge Arturo Montero Castro Institutional Care Center were not evident, it being important to emphasize that since March 6, 2026, the potable water service was reestablished normally" (sic) (emphasis not in the original).

Thus, in said decision (judgment no. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026), the following was indicated:

"V.- In addition to the foregoing, it must be highlighted that according to what was indicated by the Alajuela 2 Health Governing Area of the Ministry of Health, since March 6, 2026, the CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, the medical offices, and the kitchens have had a normal supply of potable water." Consequently, the petitioner must abide by what was decided in this latest judgment.

V. Conclusion. Let the petitioner abide by what was decided in judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026

VI. NOTE FROM JUDGE RUEDA LEAL

I note that with regard to the jurisdictional protection of fundamental rights, this Chamber would only hear matters brought before it by means of the habeas corpus appeal, with the exceptions already mentioned for the amparo proceeding. Additionally, the avenue of an unconstitutionality action –abstract constitutional review– remains open, provided the petitioner meets the requirements established in articles 73 through 79 of the Law of the Constitutional Jurisdiction (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional).

VII. DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO THE CASE FILE

The parties are warned that if they have provided any paper document, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic device or one produced by new technologies, these must be collected from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not collected within this period will be destroyed, pursuant to the provisions of the "Regulation on the Electronic File before the Judiciary" (Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial), approved by the Full Court in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI and published in Judicial Bulletin number 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Superior Council of the Judiciary, in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.

Therefore:

Let the petitioner abide by what was decided in judgment No. 2026-011081 of 09:20 hours on March 27, 2026.

Justice Rueda Leal records a note.

<p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff"><img src="data:image/png;base64,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" width="162" height="74" alt="" style="-aw-left-pos:0pt; -aw-rel-hpos:column; -aw-rel-vpos:paragraph; -aw-top-pos:0pt; -aw-wrap-type:inline" /></p><p style="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff"><span style="line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub">Luis Fdo.</span></p> Salazar A.</span></p></td><td style=\"padding-right:5.65pt; padding-left:5.65pt; vertical-align:top\"><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p></td><td style=\"padding-right:5.65pt; padding-left:5.65pt; vertical-align:top\"><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><img src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" width=\"164\" height=\"74\" alt=\"\" style=\"-aw-left-pos:0pt; -aw-rel-hpos:column; -aw-rel-vpos:paragraph; -aw-top-pos:0pt; -aw-wrap-type:inline\" /></p><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub\">Jorge Araya G.</span></p></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding-right:5.65pt; padding-left:5.65pt; vertical-align:top\"><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><img src=\"data:image/jpeg;base64,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\" width=\"162\" height=\"74\" alt=\"\" style=\"-aw-left-pos:0pt; -aw-rel-hpos:column; -aw-rel-vpos:paragraph; -aw-top-pos:0pt; -aw-wrap-type:inline\" /></p><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub\">Anamari Garro V.</span></p></td><td style=\"padding-right:5.65pt; padding-left:5.65pt; vertical-align:top\"><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p></td><td style=\"padding-right:5.65pt; padding-left:5.65pt; vertical-align:top\"><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><img src=\"data:image/jpeg;base64,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\" width=\"162\" height=\"74\" alt=\"\" style=\"-aw-left-pos:0pt; -aw-rel-hpos:column; -aw-rel-vpos:paragraph; -aw-top-pos:0pt; -aw-wrap-type:inline\" /></p><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:10.5pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:7pt; vertical-align:sub\">Ingrid Hess H.</span></p></td></tr></table><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:8pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:14pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:9.33pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:8pt; margin-bottom:8pt; text-align:center; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:14pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:9.33pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:8pt; margin-bottom:8pt; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:5.33pt; vertical-align:sub\">Digitally Signed Document</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:8pt; margin-bottom:8pt; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:5.33pt; vertical-align:sub\">-- Verification Code --</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:8pt; margin-bottom:8pt; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:14pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:'WASP 39 L'; font-size:9.33pt; vertical-align:sub\"></span></p><p style=\"margin-top:8pt; margin-bottom:8pt; line-height:150%; widows:2; orphans:2; font-size:14pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:Tahoma; font-size:9.33pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:spaces\">&#xa0;</span><span style=\"line-height:150%; font-family:Tahoma; font-size:9.33pt; vertical-align:sub\">TS437B5685PY61 </span></p><div style=\"-aw-headerfooter-type:footer-primary; clear:both\"><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:right; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:5.33pt; font-weight:bold; vertical-align:sub\">EXPEDIENTE N° 26-002129-0007-CO </span></p><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:5.33pt; vertical-align:sub; -aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:1pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-align:center; background-color:#ffffff\"><span style=\"font-family:'Times New Roman'; font-size:5.33pt; vertical-align:sub\">Telephones: Tel01/ ALA-4TA (Tel02).

Fax: Tel03 / Tel04. Email: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Address01, Address02, 100 mts. South of the Perpetuo Socorro church).</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt\"><span style=\"-aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p><p style=\"margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt\"><span style=\"-aw-import:ignore\">&#xa0;</span></p></div></div></body></html>"

Revisión del Documento SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas veinte minutos del veintiuno de abril de dos mil veintiseis .

Recurso de amparo interpuesto por Nombre01, cédula de identidad CED01, a favor de POLICÍAS PENITENCIARIOS Y PERSONAS PRIVADAS DE LIBERTAD DEL CENTRO DE ATENCIÓN INSTITCUIONAL JORGE ARTURO MONTERO CASTRO, contra el MINISTERIO DE JUSTICIA Y PAZ.

Resultando:

1. 1Por escrito recibido en la Secretaría de la Sala el 21 de enero de 2026, la recurrente interpone recurso de amparo contra el MINISTERIO DE JUSTICIA Y PAZ y manifiesta que las personas privadas de libertad del Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, se encuentran bajo custodia directa del Estado costarricense. Afirma que, desde hace aproximadamente 15 días, en dicho centro penitenciario existe un corte prolongado y continuo del suministro de agua potable, por lo que no se ha contado con suficiente agua para el consumo humano, el aseo personal, uso de servicio sanitarios, limpieza básica de celdas y áreas comunes. Alega que, dicha falta de agua ha generado condiciones insalubres, acumulación de desechos, malos olores y un riesgo real e inmediato para la salud, la integridad física y la dignidad humana. Acusa que, a pesar del tiempo transcurrido, las autoridades penitenciarias no han solucionado la situación, garantizando un suministro alterno suficiente y continuo, lo que deja a las personas privadas de libertad de este centro en un estado de indefensión. Con base en los alegatos expuestos, estima que, con las actuaciones acusadas, se están vulnerando derechos fundamentales. Solicita que se declare con lugar el recurso con las consecuencias de ley.
2. 2Mediante resolución de las 10:37 horas del 23 de enero de 2026, este Tribunal dictó la resolución del curso del presente asunto.
3. 3Informa bajo juramento Jenny Chacón Fernández, en su condición de directora del Centro de Atención Institucional Nombre02 (informe rendido el 29 de enero de 2026), en los siguientes términos: “SEGUNDO. Sobre los hechos alegados. Informa la Jefatura Policial del Centro Penal, mediante oficio número JEF-0120-2026, emitido el día 24 de enero de 2026 que "desde el día 13 de enero de 2026 en horas de la mañana se presentó la problemática del faltante de agua, esto debido a un fallo técnico que presento la bomba de agua que extrae el líquido hídrico del pozo número uno, fue debido a esta situación que de forma inmediata se realizaron las gestiones pertinentes para abastecer este centro penal y aledaños de este líquido tan importante para todas las necesidades básicas." Adiciona que "entre las gestiones realizadas se coordinó con las autoridades competentes, entre ellas Acueductos y Alcantarillados, y el Cuerpo de Bomberos, esto para solicitar la ayuda requerida y que nos pudieran facilitar los camiones cisternas con los que cuentan ambas instituciones, por lo que en atención a nuestra solicitud ambas instituciones nos han colaborado hasta la fecha con las unidades de trasporte de agua perteneciente a el Cuerpo de Bomberos 341-479 y la del AyA 102-1545, cabe indicar que hasta la fecha estas unidades ingresan una vez por día según su disponibilidad y operatividad para abastecer los camiones, a colaborarnos de forma satisfactoria con nuestra problemática.(se adjunta oficio JEF-0117-26-2026, el oficio JEF-0114-2026, y el oficio JEF-0118-2026 los cuales demuestran las acciones descritas evidenciando la actuación policial)." Ante esta situación, la Jefatura de la Policía Penitenciaria informa que, aparte del recurso externo recibido por las instituciones ya indicadas, las diligencias internas y nuestra capacidad operativa ha designado de forma permanente tres unidades móviles solo al transporte de agua potable para abastecer todos los ámbitos que albergan la población penal afectada, las cocinas del centro, la clínica del centro, oficinas técnicas y los dormitorios de funcionarios, por lo que de forma ordenada y escalonada se raciona el fluido para abastecer cada sector de forma estratégica y no alterar la dinámica del centro penal. En relación al faltante de agua, se informa que, se han realizado todas las coordinaciones correspondientes para que, la población privada de libertad y todos los funcionarios del centro penal cuenten con agua potable para ingerir y agua no potable para la realización de tareas de limpieza y aseo diarias.Estas coordinaciones se han realizado con el Instituto Costarricense de Alcantarillados que colabora con camiones cisternas y el apoyo del cuerpo de Bomberos. En este sentido manifiesta la Jefatura de la Policía Penitenciaria que "aqui la problemática no es el suministro del agua si no que los privados de libertad no racionan este importante liquido parece no importarles la situación en estos momentos, y esto sucede a pesar de que se les explica con detalle la situación y se les pide la colaboración, incluso el departamento de mantenimiento anteriormente ha puesto llaves de paso y llaves de chorro en cada toma de agua potable pero los privados de libertad aprovechan cada descuido para destruir o quitar las llaves utilizadas para regular el desperdicio de agua, y con esto regular el alto consumo de fluido hídrico que abastece a todo el centro penal." Alega la recurrente que, las autoridades del centro penal no han solucionado la situación ni han garantizado un suministro alterno suficiente y continuo, no obstante, debe indicarse que esto no es cierto, que tanto el cuerpo policial como la suscrita y la Administración de este centro penal, hemos implementado todas las medidas necesarias para dotar de agua potable y no potable a la población privada de libertad afectada y a los funcionarios.Con relación solucionar el problema presentado, ya se cuenta con la contratación de una empresa para reparar la bomba de agua, quienes ya ejecutaron la extracción, que es un procedimiento complejo por el peso y la profundidad de la misma, siguiendo con la revisión de la avería y la coordinación de su reemplazo o reparación. En atención al daño ocasionado por fallas técnicas imprevistas y ajenas al ámbito de control y responsabilidad institucional, como supra se informó se procedió de manera inmediata a la coordinación interinstitucional con las autoridades competentes, específicamente con el Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AYA) y el Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica. Lo anterior tuvo como finalidad primordial garantizar, de forma oportuna, continua y suficiente, el abastecimiento tanto de agua potable como de agua no potable en las instalaciones del Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro.Dicha gestión se realizó en estricto apego a los principios de continuidad del servicio público, prevención de riesgos, protección de la salud pública y salvaguarda de los derechos fundamentales, particularmente el derecho a la vida, a la salud y a condiciones dignas de reclusión de las personas privadas de libertad, así como a condiciones laborales adecuadas para el personal administrativo, policial y técnico que presta sus servicios en dicho centro penitenciario. En ese sentido, las acciones adoptadas tuvieron como propósito garantizar el normal desarrollo de las actividades cotidianas del centro y asegurar que las necesidades básicas de la población penitenciaria y del personal institucional fueran atendidas sin Interrupciones ni afectaciones de mayor gravedad, y así evitar condiciones insalubres, acumulación de desechos, malos olores y un riesgo inmediato para la salud, la integridad física y la dignidad humana.Adicionalmente, resulta pertinente señalar que, de manera complementaria al ingreso del recurso hídrico proveniente de fuentes externas, se ejecutaron diversas diligencias internas de carácter logístico y operativo, en coordinación con las unidades móviles policiales y los vehículos administrativos adscritos al Departamento de Transportes. Estas actuaciones consistieron en el traslado y llenado de tanques de almacenamiento desde el sector de la UAI Reynaldo Villalobos, con el fin de redistribuir posteriormente el recurso hídrico hacia los distintos ámbitos de convivencia, áreas administrativas y zonas esenciales del centro penitenciario. Las acciones descritas se llevaron a cabo como medidas extraordinarias, temporales y proporcionales, orientadas a mitigar los efectos de la contingencia presentada, asegurar la operatividad institucional y evitar eventuales situaciones de riesgo sanitario, de seguridad o de afectación al orden interno, todo ello en cumplimiento del deber legal de la Administración Pública de garantizar la prestación eficaz de los servicios bajo su responsabilidad.Es importante poner en conocimiento de su autoridad que esta Administración ha ejecutado de manera oportuna y diligente todas las gestiones necesarias para subsanar el faltante en el suministro hídrico que afectó al Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, situación originada por fallas técnicas ajenas al ámbito de control institucional. Dichas actuaciones se han desarrollado bajo los principios de eficacia, continuidad del servicio público y debida diligencia administrativa. Como resultado de las medidas adoptadas, se considera que el impacto generado por la referida contingencia ha sido debidamente mitigado, garantizando la atención de las necesidades básicas tanto de la población privada de libertad como del personal que labora en el centro penitenciario. Asimismo, se ha dispuesto la implementación de mecanismos de seguimiento y supervisión permanente, a fin de verificar la estabilidad del abastecimiento y adoptar de forma inmediata cualquier acción correctiva que resulte necesaria, hasta tanto se logre el restablecimiento pleno, regular y definitivo del suministro hídrico.Es importante indicar a su autoridad que, en la actualidad, la Administración se encuentra realizando las gestiones necesarias y ejecutando las acciones correctivas correspondientes a fin de solventar la situación presentada, dentro de los márgenes técnicos y administrativos permitidos. En este sentido, informa la Administración de este centro penal mediante oficio A-JAMC-054-2026 emitido el día 26 de enero de 2026 que, según indicó el Departamento de Arquitectura del Ministerio de Justicia y Paz en correo electrónico del día 20 de enero de 2026, se estima que la reparación tendrá una duración de aproximadamente mes y medio. Lo anterior se lleva a cabo con el objetivo de garantizar que tanto la población privada de libertad como el personal institucional cuenten con condiciones óptimas, seguras y adecuadas para el acceso y prestación del servicio, en estricto apego a los principios de legalidad, razonabilidad y protección de derechos fundamentales.En relación al alegato de la recurrente de que la falta de agua ha generado condiciones insalubres, acumulación de desechos, malos olores y un riesgo inmediato para la salud, la integridad física y la dignidad humana, informa la jefatura de la Policía Penitenciaria que, la recolección de residuos y limpieza de espacios no ha sufrido variación alguna puesto que, se dispone de un vehículo tipo "chapulín" con carreta para el traslado de desechos de forma constante, lo cual evita que se produzcan malos olores y plagas. Estos desechos son recolectados mínimo 2 veces a la semana por camiones de basura de la Municipalidad de Alajuela. Por las razones señaladas y en lo que a las autoridades de este centro penal concierne, solicitamos se nos exima de toda culpa y responsabilidad en los hechos alegados en el presente Recurso de Amparo, toda vez que, tal como ha quedado debidamente demostrado que, no se le han lesionado los derechos fundamentales de la Policía Penitenciaria y de las personas privadas de libertad”. Solicita que se declare sin lugar el recurso planteado.
4. 4Informa bajo juramento Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, en su condición de director de Adaptación Social (informe rendido el 29 de enero de 2026), en términos similares a la Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro.
5. 5Informa bajo juramento María Antonieta Acuña Hernández, en su condición de directora a.i. del Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2 (informe rendido el 08 de febrero de 2026), en los siguientes términos: “En atención a la solicitud de información requerida mediante resolución de fecha 23 de enero de 2026 y en seguimiento al caso señalado en el asunto, se indica que funcionarios del Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2, realizaron visitas de inspección, la última el día 02 de febrero de 2026 al establecimiento Centro Penitenciario La Reforma, específicamente al CAI Nombre02 (oficio CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0403-2026). En el sitio, según se indicó, atendieron los funcionarios Ilena Solano Guevara (administración) y Bernal Chacón Muñoz (jefe de seguridad). 1. En cuanto a la problemática de desabastecimiento de agua potable en el Complejo Penitenciario Occidente, por parte de la Dirección Regional de Rectoría de la Salud Central Norte, se le solicitó información a la Clínica La Reforma sobre esta situación y las medidas de contingencia ante un eventual brote gastrointestinal. 2.Mediante el oficio N°CLR-250-2026, el Dr. Rafael González Cortés, director a.i de la Clínica La Reforma (ver copia adjunta), se indicó que, al 21 de enero de 2026, no se había registrado un aumento de consultas médicas por sintomatología gastrointestinal en la población penitenciaria asociado a la interrupción del abastecimiento de agua potable. Como medidas de contingencia, se han implementado: • Abastecimiento continuo de agua mediante camión cisterna, con una frecuencia aproximada de dos a tres ingresos diarios por parte del AyA (potable) y Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica (no potable). • Dotación de cuatro estañones por módulo, los cuales son reabastecidos cada vez que se agotan. • Disponibilidad diferenciada de agua potable para consumo humano y agua no potable para uso sanitario (baños). • Mantiene vigilancia permanente de la situación en el área médica del Complejo Penitenciario Occidente 3.Por parte de esta Dirección, el 28 de enero de 2026 se emitió la orden sanitaria N°MS-DRRSCNDARSA2-OS-017-2026, referente a oportunidades de mejora en la logística de suministro provisional de agua potable en el Complejo Penitenciario Occidente. Lo anterior, tomando como insumos las inspecciones realizadas por parte del Equipo de Regulación. Cabe mencionar, que los centros están siendo abastecidos de agua por parte de camiones cisterna del AyA y Bomberos (agua potable y no potable, respectivamente) y ciertas áreas mantiene el suministro de agua potable por las tuberías. El acto administrativo se dirigió a la Dirección General de Adaptación Social y es de conocimiento de las direcciones de los centros penitenciarios. Esta orden sanitaria se encuentra en plazo de cumplimiento. 4. El 30 de enero de 2026, se realizó una reunión interinstitucional entre el Ministerio de Justicia y Paz y el Ministerio de Salud, por Microsoft Teams (ver bitácora adjunta), en esta se acordaron las siguientes acciones: • Instalación de estañones con llave para evitar la manipulación de agua con recipientes y con ello, disminuir la contaminación de agua. • Muestreos de agua almacenada en estañones para medir la cloración de ésta. • Convocatoria a la próxima reunión a personeros del AYA para valorar suministro de agua al centro. • Ampliación de horario de atención médica para el 01/02/2026. • Distribución de insumos de higiene personal, papel higiénico, alcohol en gel. • Establecimiento de líneas de comunicación directa. 5.Debido a la aplicación de los nuevos lineamientos específicos para los Circuitos de Alta Contención del Sistema Penitenciario Nacional, la Dirección de los CAI debe respetar el perfil del privado de libertad para aplicar protocolos de seguridad específicos, tales como la cantidad de oficiales necesarios para ingresar a los dormitorios. 6. El 02 de febrero de 2026, según consta en el acta de inspección ocular N° MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0380- 2026, la funcionaria, Diana Espinoza Navarro se apersonó a las instalaciones del CAI Nombre02 para valorar las condiciones físico-sanitarias y abastecimiento de agua potable. Lo anterior, en atención a los siguientes recursos de amparo: 26-002130-0007-CO, 26-001878-0007-CO, 26- 002129-0007-CO y 26-001778-0007-CO. En el centro penitenciario atendieron los señores Andy Betancourt Prendas, Bernardo Casanova A., Miguel Fallas Jiménez, Luis Carlos Jiménez C. y otros oficiales de Policía Penitenciaria. 7.Referente a las problemáticas físico-sanitarias expuestas por la señora Nombre01, se indica lo siguiente: a. Sobre corte prolongado de agua potable: El corte al cual se hizo referencia, se asocia con una falla mayor en la bomba del pozo principal ubicado en el CAI Luis Paulino Mora Mora. Acorde con lo indicado por la Dirección General de Adaptación Social las reparaciones podrían tomar por lo menos un mes más, por ello, han implementado las medidas arriba descritas y estas son aplicadas para la población penitenciaria y los funcionarios del Ministerio de Justicia y Paz. b. Suministro de agua insuficiente para la población (privados y policías): En cuanto a este punto, se corroboró la distribución de agua por parte de las cisternas del AyA. El agua se almacena en estañones y estos se distribuyen en los dormitorios de los privados de libertad y policías; así como en las oficinas administrativas.Aunado a lo señalado, se permiten encomiendas de hasta 6 litros por día, recipientes (tipo bidones y garrafas), artículos de higiene personal y limpieza, por parte de familiares y conocidos de los privados de libertad. Por su parte, según indicaron las autoridades del centro se está gestionando la adquisición de estañones con tapa hermética y están construyendo los dispositivos para dispensar agua, lo anterior en cumplimiento a lo solicitado en la orden sanitaria MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026. Señaló la autoridad sanitaria que, en el recorrido se observaron estañones con agua potable y no potable y en los dormitorios de los policías penitenciarios se constató que si llegaba agua (poco caudal). Según indicaron las autoridades, en las noches se carga el tanque que abastece al CAI, con agua del pozo secundario, sin embargo, la fuente es limitada. c. Acumulación de desechos y malos olores: En cuanto a la recolección de residuos, esta no se ha visto afectada por el fallo en la bomba del pozo.En general en la visita se observaron limpios los espacios y alrededores del CAI referido. Los funcionarios del Ministerio de Justicia y Paz entregan de manera periódica insumos de limpieza (escobas, palas, desinfectantes y cloro). Por lo anterior, concluyó la autoridad sanitaria que, pese a la interrupción del servicio de agua potable en el Complejo, y en el CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, actualmente los privados de libertad, policía penitenciaria y funcionarios administrativos cuentan con suministro de agua potable mediante la utilización de camiones cisterna del AyA y del pozo secundario del sistema de acueducto de La Reforma. Asimismo, cuenta con el soporte de agua no potable para labores de limpieza y descarga de sanitarios suministrada por el Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica. Además, en referencia a la orden sanitaria MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, se determinó que el Ministerio de Justicia y Paz, esta ejecutando las medidas solicitadas, por lo que no se determinaron deficiencias sanitarias o problemas de salud en la población (privados de libertad y funcionarios) que ameritaran la emisión de nuevos actos administrativos.En todo caso, se dará seguimiento al cumplimiento de la orden sanitaria referida mediante reuniones e inspecciones al establecimiento, hasta que se corrija la problemática existente en el pozo principal que abastece de agua potable al Complejo Penitenciario La Reforma”.
6. 6En los procedimientos seguidos se ha observado las prescripciones legales.

Redacta el Magistrado Araya García; y,

Considerando:

I.Objeto del recurso. La recurrente reclama violación a los derechos fundamentales de los amparados, pues señala que en el Centro de Atención Institucional Nombre02 existe un corte prolongado y continuo del suministro de agua potable, por lo que no se ha contado con suficiente agua para el consumo humano, lo que provoca condiciones insalubres. A pesar de lo anterior, las autoridades penitenciarias no han realizado ninguna acción para solucionar esa problemática.

II.Cuestiones preliminares. Antes de analizar el fondo del asunto debe aclararse que, bajo una mejor ponderación, esta Sala dispuso rechazar de plano los recursos de amparo interpuestos a favor de personas privadas de libertad sentenciadas, toda vez que el precepto 482 del Código Procesal Penal le otorga amplias atribuciones a los jueces de ejecución, quienes solo se encuentran sometidos a la ley (en sentido amplio), los tratados internacionales y la Constitución Política. Por consiguiente, en lo atinente a la materia propia de la ejecución de la pena, las autoridades penitenciarias se encuentran supeditadas a lo que decidan los jueces de ejecución de la pena y son estos, en su condición de operadores de justicia, los primeros llamados a resolver las gestiones de los privados de libertad sentenciados que planteen en defensa de sus derechos (incluso los fundamentales) durante el cumplimiento de la pena.

De este modo, en lo concerniente al ejercicio de la protección jurisdiccional de los derechos fundamentales, la Sala únicamente entraría a conocer los casos admitidos por la vía del habeas corpus, toda vez que el amparo es improcedente contra las resoluciones y actuaciones jurisdiccionales del Poder Judicial (ordinal 30 inciso b de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), esto último con excepción de los asuntos referidos a mora judicial en los términos dispuestos por la jurisprudencia de este tribunal, acceso a la justicia constitucional, y los relativos a cuestiones de dignidad humana, salud y vida de los amparados, cuya resolución no debe retardarse remitiendo al recurrente a la jurisdicción de la ejecución de la pena.

Precisamente, en el sub lite, se presenta un supuesto de excepción, pues se denuncia una situación que podría generar condiciones de salubridad que atenten contra los derechos fundamentales de los amparados, privados de libertad del centro penal recurrido. Aclarado el punto, se procede a resolver la situación reclamada en este asunto.

III.Hechos probados. De importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente demostrados los siguientes hechos, sea porque así han sido acreditados o bien porque el recurrido haya omitido referirse a ellos según lo prevenido en el auto inicial:

• a)Desde el 13 de enero de 2026, no se da el suministro de agua potable en el CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, debido a una falla mayor de la bomba ubicada en el pozo 1 del CAI Luis Paulino Mora Mora, cuya reparación podría tardar al menos 1 mes (ver los informes rendidos y la prueba aportada).
• b)Dado la problemática indicada, en el centro penal se han indicado lo siguiente: “(…) entre las gestiones realizadas se coordinó con las autoridades competentes, entre ellas Acueductos y Alcantarillados, y el Cuerpo de Bomberos, esto para solicitar la ayuda requerida y que nos pudieran facilitar los camiones cisternas con los que cuentan ambas instituciones, por lo que en atención a nuestra solicitud ambas instituciones nos han colaborado hasta la fecha con las unidades de trasporte de agua perteneciente a el Cuerpo de Bomberos 341-479 y la del AyA 102-1545, cabe indicar que hasta la fecha estas unidades ingresan una vez por día según su disponibilidad y operatividad para abastecer los camiones, a colaborarnos de forma satisfactoria con nuestra problemática. (se adjunta oficio JEF-0117-26-2026, el oficio JEF-0114-2026, y el oficio JEF-0118-2026 los cuales demuestran las acciones descritas evidenciando la actuación policial)” (ver los informes rendidos y la prueba aportada).
• c)El 27 de enero de 2026, el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 del Ministerio de Salud efectuó una inspección por el desabastecimiento de agua potable en el CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, con el siguiente resultado: “(…) Una vez realizada la visita de inspección al lugar en cuestión, se pudo evidenciar que no se presentan incumplimientos en las condiciones físico-sanitarias en las cuales se representen problemáticas a la salud (…)” (sic) (ver los informes rendidos y la prueba aportada).
• d)El 28 de enero de 2026, el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 del Ministerio de Salud notificó a la Dirección General de Adaptación Social la orden sanitaria No. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026, con las siguientes acciones: “(…) Realizar recloraciones en los estañones en los cuales se almacena agua para consumir, siguiendo la proporción de cinco cucharaditas o bien dos taparroscas de cloro líquido por estañón, según la OPS (…) Inmediato (…) Readecuar los recipientes de agua potable de consumo directo: - Los recipientes deben ser cerrados obligatoriamente, con tapa hermética o sistema equivalente, para impedir la manipulación directa del agua y el contacto con manos, tazas u otros objetos - En caso de limitaciones presupuestarias, los estañones existentes deberán ser adaptados con tapa y un sistema tipo llave o grifo en la parte inferior, que permita la extracción del agua sin necesidad de abrir el recipiente. - Alternativamente, se podrán adquirir recipientes cerrados con boquillas o dispensadores integrados, diseñados para garantizar la higiene y seguridad del agua destinada al consumo humano (…) 5 días hábiles (…) Presentar un Plan integral de mantenimiento, rehabilitación y monitoreo para los sistemas de bombeo de pozos que incluya: - Inventario de equipos - Historial de fallas - Estado de los componentes críticos (sistemas de control, cableado de potencia, tuberías, válvulas) - Cronograma de inspecciones y actividades de mantenimiento (mecánicas, eléctricas y lubricación), limpiezas entre otros. - Identificación de repuestos críticos. - Mantener inventario crítico en stock (…) 10 días hábiles (…)” (sic) (ver los informes rendidos y la prueba aportada).
• e)El 11 de marzo de 2026, el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 del Ministerio de Salud llevó a cabo una inspección con el siguiente resultado: “(…) En la visita de inspección realizada al Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, al momento del recorrido de inspección se evidenció que el CAI cuenta con suministro de agua potable, se evidenció que los consultorios médicos tanto el de funcionarios como el de los privados de libertad, además de las cocinas tanto de funcionarios como de los privados de libertad cuentan con agua potable. • El servicio de agua potable se restableció a partir del 06 de marzo del 2026 (…) Una vez concluida la visita de inspección, no se evidenciaron las problemáticas planteadas por el recurrente en el presente recurso de amparo en contra del Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, siendo importante recalcar que desde el 06 de marzo del 2026 el servicio de agua potable se reestableció de manera normal” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original) (ver la prueba aportada en el expediente no. 26-006445-0007-CO).

IV.Sobre el caso concreto. Esta Sala Constitucional mediante la sentencia No. 2026005391 de las 09:34 horas de 13 de febrero de 2026, resolvió el recurso de amparo No. 26-001448-0007-CO, planteado en idénticos términos al presente:

“(…) En el sub lite, la recurrente indica que el amparado se encuentra privado de libertad en el CAI Nombre02 y alega que, tanto ese CAI como en el CAI Terrazas, se encuentran atravesando un faltante de agua. Detalla que el amparado tiene un malestar estomacal, pues le entregan agua no potable. Señala que ha remitido correos electrónicos a la Contraloría de Servicios del Ministerio de Justicia y Paz, pero lo que le dicen es que es falso que no haya agua. Reprocha que solo se permite el ingreso de artículos de higiene cada 2 meses. De los autos se desprende que el tutelado se encuentra privado de libertad en condición de sentenciado en el ámbito de convivencia C del CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro. En enero de 2026, el CAI accionado tuvo desabastecimiento de agua potable por fallas técnicas en el sistema de extracción del pozo nro. 1 y el centro penal accionado adoptó medidas provisionales para brindar agua a la población penitenciaria.

Ante lo anterior, mediante la resolución de curso de este amparo se solicitó al Área Rectora de Salud de Alajuela 2 realizar una inspección al centro penal, a los efectos de acreditar o descartar los problemas de insalubridad. En este sentido, posterior a la inspección, mediante orden sanitaria nro. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 del 28 de enero de 2026, el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 del Ministerio de Salud le ordenó a la Dirección General de Adaptación Social: “En apego a la legislación vigente, el Ministerio de Salud tiene la competencia técnica, política y legal para dictar y ordenar acciones en materia de protección de la Salud Pública y Ambiental. En virtud de lo anterior, y en seguimiento a los Recursos de Amparo Expedientes N° 26-001448-0007-CO y 26-001879-0007-CO recurridos por las señoras Nombre04 y Nombre05, sobre el desabastecimiento de agua potable en los Centros de Atención Institucional (CAI) Nombre02 y Nombre06.

Lo anterior, debido a una falla operativa de la bomba del pozo 1. Según consta en el documento CARTA-MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-0285-2026 (ver copia adjunta); se procedió a realizar inspecciones el 27 de enero de 2026 y se determinó conveniente que el Ministerio de Justicia y Paz a través de sus diferentes unidades organizativas procedan a (…)

El acto administrativo (Orden Sanitaria) tiene como propósito fundamental proteger la salud de la población y el ambiente. Lo anterior con fundamento legal en el artículo 50 de nuestra Constitución Política, la Ley General de Salud artículos 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 272, 273 y 355, Reglamento para la calidad del Agua Potable (DE-38924-S), otras leyes conexas. Al omiso, se procederá a imponer multa de un salario base en cumplimiento a lo señalado en el artículo 378 de la Ley General de Salud: Al omiso en el cumplimiento de las órdenes o medidas especiales o generales dictadas por las autoridades de salud, se le aplicará una multa fija de un salario base, siempre que el hecho no constituya delito...”. Se advierte que al incumplimiento de la presente orden sanitaria se procederá a interponer la denuncia ante el Ministerio Público, por el delito de desobediencia artículo 314 del Código Penal “314.

Desobediencia Se impondrá prisión de seis meses a tres años, a quien no cumpla o no haga cumplir, en todos sus extremos, la orden impartida por un órgano jurisdiccional o por un funcionario público en el ejercicio de sus funciones, siempre que se haya comunicado personalmente, salvo si se trata de la propia detención”. “De conformidad con los artículos 60 y siguientes de la Ley Orgánica del Ministerio de Salud, en relación con la presente orden sanitaria, procede interponer los Recursos de Revocatoria con Apelación de Subsidio dentro de los cinco días hábiles contados a partir de su notificación. El recurso podrá ser interpuesto ante la Oficina del Área de Salud y de ser necesario, la revocatoria será resuelta por la Dirección Regional del Ministerio de Salud y de ser necesario la apelación será resuelta por el Ministerio de Salud”.

En este sentido, se acredita que, pese a que el CAI adoptó medidas para proporcionarle agua a los privados de libertad, los medios no eran los óptimos y, por ello, se giró la orden sanitaria antedicha. De ahí que se acredite la lesión a los derechos fundamentales de la parte amparada, pues se verifica una situación de insalubridad en relación con el abastecimiento de agua potable. Desde este panorama, corresponde estimar el recurso en los términos que se dirán en la parte dispositiva (…)

Por tanto:

Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se les ordena a Alexander Bolaños Córdoba, en su condición de director general de Adaptación Social; así como a Melissa González Gaitán, en su condición de directora a.i. del centro de atención institucional Nombre02, o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, que giren las órdenes pertinentes y dispongan lo necesario dentro del ámbito de sus competencias respectivas, para que, DE MANERA INMEDIATA, cumplan con lo dispuesto en la orden sanitaria nro. MS-DRRSCN-DARSA2-OS-017-2026 del 28 de enero de 2026 emitida por el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2, en los plazos ahí establecidos. Se advierte a las autoridades recurridas que, de conformidad con el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años o de veinte a sesenta días multa, a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada dentro de un recurso de amparo y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se condena al Estado al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a la presente declaratoria, los cuales se liquidarán en ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. El magistrado Rueda Leal pone nota. Notifíquese (…)” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original).

Posteriormente, esta Sala Constitucional analizó otro caso referente a lo aquí reclamado (expediente no. 26-006445-0007-CO, sentencia no. 2026-011081 de las 09:20 horas del 27 de marzo de 2026), en donde se constató que el 11 de marzo de 2026, el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 del Ministerio de Salud llevó a cabo una inspección con el siguiente resultado: “(…) En la visita de inspección realizada al Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, al momento del recorrido de inspección se evidenció que el CAI cuenta con suministro de agua potable, se evidenció que los consultorios médicos tanto el de funcionarios como el de los privados de libertad, además de las cocinas tanto de funcionarios como de los privados de libertad cuentan con agua potable. • El servicio de agua potable se restableció a partir del 06 de marzo del 2026 (…) Una vez concluida la visita de inspección, no se evidenciaron las problemáticas planteadas por el recurrente en el presente recurso de amparo en contra del Centro de Atención Institucional Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, siendo importante recalcar que desde el 06 de marzo del 2026 el servicio de agua potable se reestableció de manera normal” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original).

De ese modo, en dicha resolución (sentencia no. 2026-011081 de las 09:20 horas del 27 de marzo de 2026), se indicó lo siguiente:

“V.- Aunado a lo expuesto, se debe resaltar que de acuerdo con lo que indicó el Área Rectora de Salud Alajuela 2 del Ministerio de Salud, desde el 6 de marzo de 2026, el CAI Jorge Arturo Montero Castro, los consultorios médicos, y las cocinas cuentan con suministro normal de agua potable”.

Por consiguiente, deberá la parte recurrente estarse a lo resuelto en esta última sentencia.

V.Conclusión. Estese la recurrente a lo resuelto en la sentencia No. 2026-011081 de las 09:20 horas del 27 de marzo de 2026.

VI. NOTA DEL MAGISTRADO RUEDA LEAL

Advierto que en lo referido a la protección jurisdiccional de los derechos fundamentales, la Sala solo entraría a conocer los asuntos sometidos a su conocimiento por la vía del recurso de habeas corpus, con las excepciones ya mencionadas para el proceso de amparo. Adicionalmente, queda abierta la vía de la acción de inconstitucionalidad -control de constitucionalidad en abstracto- siempre y cuando el recurrente cumpla con los requisitos establecidos en los artículos 73 al 79 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional.

VII. DOCUMENTACIÓN APORTADA AL EXPEDIENTE

Se previene a las partes que de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, éstos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión N° 27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial número 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión N° 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.

Por tanto:

Estese la recurrente a lo resuelto en la sentencia No. 2026-011081 de las 09:20 horas del 27 de marzo de 2026. El magistrado Rueda Leal consigna nota.

Fernando Castillo V.

Fernando Cruz C.

Paul Rueda L.

Luis Fdo. Salazar A.

Jorge Araya G.

Anamari Garro V.

Ingrid Hess H.