Huge profits on offer in El Salvador prison economy

An intelligence investigation has revealed the pricing structure for goods within El Salvador's jails, which are now not only finishing schools for criminals but sources of income for organized crime as in many parts of Latin America.

A cellphone worth about $20 outside prison sells for up to $200 inside, intelligence sources told La Prensa Grafica, while SIM cards and chargers worth $3 and $5 outside fetch around $6 and $50 inside.

The cost rises according to how hard it is to get the item to the buyer -- for instance a smartphone would cost $800 in a regular prison compound but up to $3,000 in a maximum security section.