A delegation from Chile, including representatives from InvestChile, the General Concessions Directorate of the Public Works Ministry, and the Justice and Human Rights Ministry, visited France, England, and Spain to present investment opportunities in prison infrastructure. The trip aimed to promote tenders totaling approximately US$700 million under a public-private partnership (PPP) model for the construction of seven new prison centers between 2026 and 2027.
The roadshow, held from December 8 to 12, involved technical meetings with nine leading companies in the prison management sector. The Chilean officials shared details about upcoming bids that would add more than 12,000 new places across facilities in Calama, Santiago 1, Alto Hospicio, La Serena, Rancagua, Puerto Montt, and Valdivia. These are in addition to the recently tendered Talca and Copiapó prisons. Currently, Chile operates nine prison concessions contributing over 21,000 places to its system.
Participants in the delegation included Patricio Álvarez of InvestChile; Juan Eduardo Chackiel from the General Concessions Directorate; Raul Torres from the Project Development and Bidding Division; Miguel Angel Cornejo and Rodolfo Poblete from the Budget, Planning and Infrastructure Division of the Justice Ministry; and Cristián Sagal, Investment Commissioner of InvestChile in France.
During their visit to England, delegates toured HMP Thameside Prison—managed by SERCO—which operates entirely under a private model. The delegation observed management practices and operating standards relevant to concession models used in England.
The meetings also addressed recent regulatory changes designed to speed up investment processes. Law No. 21,783 removes the requirement for an Environmental Qualification Resolution for expansions of existing prisons. According to estimates from the Justice Ministry, this change could reduce project development and construction times by more than 700 days.
The European roadshow forms part of Chile’s 2022–2030 Master Plan for Prison Infrastructure. This plan seeks to expand high-security prison capacity while creating conditions attractive for international investors specializing in this sector.
“InvestChile continues to actively promote these opportunities, engaging public-private partnerships and accompanying companies interested in participating in the development of strategic projects for the country,” stated representatives during the trip.
