# El Sexto Prison

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Former prison in Peru

El Sexto Prison The prison during the mutiny Interactive map of El Sexto Prison Location Lima District Status Closed (prison) Security class Medium security Capacity 300 (1981) Opened 1904 Closed March 8, 1986 Managed by Republican Guard

**El Sexto Prison** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Penal El Sexto*), previously **El Sexto Barracks** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Cuartel El Sexto*),[1] was a [prison](/source/Prison) located in [Lima District](/source/Lima_District), [Peru](/source/Peru). Located next to the [College of Our Lady of Guadalupe](/source/College_of_Our_Lady_of_Guadalupe) in the 13th block of [Alfonso Ugarte Avenue](/source/Alfonso_Ugarte_Avenue),[2] it took its name from the fact that the sixth station of the [Republican Guard](/source/Republican_Guard_(Peru)) was located there. It is best known for the violent riot that took place for fourteen hours on March 27, 1984, which left 22 dead and 10 wounded.[3]

It is currently known as **Alfonso Ugarte Police Station** ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *Comisaría PNP Alfonso Ugarte*) and is operated by the [National Police of Peru](/source/National_Police_of_Peru), no longer serving as a prison since its closure by [Alan García](/source/Alan_Garc%C3%ADa) in 1986.[4]

## History

The prison was built in 1904, serving as the destination for [political prisoners](/source/Political_prisoner), such as [José María Arguedas](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Arguedas), during the early 20th century. Arguedas' experience inspired his novel of the same name, published in 1961. Three years before the riot, a violent incident took place between gangs from [Lima](/source/Lima) proper and [Callao](/source/Callao), leaving 31 people dead, among them 29 suffocated and asphyxiated.[2]

### Escape attempts

A number of escape attempts took place at the prison, starting with a failed attempt made by fifteen inmates in 1964 using bedsheets and wooden boards.[5]

A notable incident took place on July 28, 1968, when twelve armed inmates escaped to the cry of "[We are free!](/source/National_Anthem_of_Peru)" ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_language): *¡Somos libres!*) through the gate at what was then called [Jirón Bolivia](/source/Bolivia_Avenue), heading towards the [Plaza Bolognesi](/source/Plaza_Bolognesi), and continuing southbound through [Brazil Avenue](/source/Avenida_Brasil_(Lima)) until they reached [Bolívar Avenue](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avenida_Sim%C3%B3n_Bol%C3%ADvar_(Lima)&action=edit&redlink=1) [[es](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenida_Sim%C3%B3n_Bol%C3%ADvar_(Lima))].[6] Five [Republican Guards](/source/Republican_Guard_(Peru)) and one civilian employee were injured during the escape, which took place parallel to a speech being given by President [Fernando Belaúnde](/source/Fernando_Bela%C3%BAnde) at the [Legislative Palace](/source/Legislative_Palace_(Peru)) announcing that the Peruvian State would begin to directly exploit the deposits of [La Brea y Pariñas](/source/La_Brea_y_Pari%C3%B1as).[7] Of the escapees, three (Alejandro García Rodríguez, Eusebio Araníbar and Victor Bravo Elías) died due to torture, while one (Victor Torres Murray) was identified as belonging to a notorious criminal gang ran by Guillermo "La Gringa" Portugal Delgado, best known for his escape attempts from [El Frontón](/source/El_Front%C3%B3n), known as the "Banda de la metralleta" after the [submachine gun](/source/Submachine_gun) stolen by Portugal.[7] The gang had been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the years prior to the escape attempt that had left two people dead and many more injured, most notably in the robberies of a [petrol station](/source/Petrol_station) in [Chancay](/source/Chancay) and a [pharmacy](/source/Pharmacy_(shop)) in Lima. After the escape, similar crimes immediately continued, aimed at bank agencies, jewelry shops and other businesses in general, with the [Peruvian Investigative Police](/source/Peruvian_Investigative_Police) (PIP) carrying out a conference headed by Director-General Hércules Marthans Garro with over 300 business owners in order to address the issue.[7] All inmates were eventually recaptured through investigations made by the PIP in an interval that lasted from days to months.[6]

Another escape attempt took place on Sunday, January 3, 1971, where three out of eleven inmates were immediately recaptured after being shot by law enforcement guarding the prison.[7]

### Mutiny

El Sexto Prison Native name Motín del penal El Sexto Date March 27–28, 1984 Location El Sexto Prison Type Prison riot Perpetrator 12 inmates Outcome Mutiny suppressed

Around 10 a.m. on March 27, 1984, inmate Víctor "Carioco" Ayala stabbed an employee carrying food, starting a revolt. Fellow inmates Luis "Pilatos" García Mendoza and Eduardo "Lalo" Centenaro Fernández, alongside ten other inmates, took over the prison with [pistols](/source/Pistol), knives and [dynamite](/source/Dynamite), taking eleven civilians and three other inmates as hostages.[2][3] The events were shown on national television,[8] with news stations [Panamericana](/source/Panamericana_Televisi%C3%B3n) (Channel 5) and [América](/source/Am%C3%A9rica_Televisi%C3%B3n) (Channel 4) broadcasting from 11:15 a.m.[2][3]

On two separate occasions, two of the hostages were injured after being sent to the prison's rooftop in order to be seen by the broadcasters: one was sprayed with kerosene at 1:53 p.m. and another one shot in the abdomen at 2:56 p.m. The former died of his injuries on April 2, while the latter was successfully treated.[2][3]

Then president [Fernando Belaúnde](/source/Fernando_Bela%C3%BAnde) ordered that negotiations begin, while the Republican Guard was to surround the prison in order to keep the peace. Prosecutor Leoncio Delgado Briones received the list of demands from the hostages, which included their escape.[9][10] The Republican Guard's *Yapan Atic* Battalion ([Quecha](/source/Quechua_languages) for "those who can do anything") arrived later at the scene, with the prison now surrounded on the streets and the rooftops.[9]

At 9:50 p.m., the Republican Guard announced that a [police van](/source/Police_van) would be delivered as per the prisoners' request. Unbeknownst to the prisoners, the van was occupied by law enforcement special forces, who opened fire once the light had been cut off. One hostage, a prisoner, was executed by the hostage takers, and another one was shot in the jaw but survived. By 12:30 a.m. on March 28, the mutiny had ended.[2] Twenty-two people (including two hostages) had been killed, while ten people were injured.[3]

### Later history

On March 8, 1986, two years after the mutiny, then president [Alan García](/source/Alan_Garc%C3%ADa) formally closed the prison in a ceremony where he was accompanied by his father, a former inmate of the prison.[4] It is currently a police station for the [National Police of Peru](/source/National_Police_of_Peru) named after the avenue it's located at.[11]

## In popular culture

The events of the 1984 mutiny inspired the film *[Report on Death](/source/Report_on_Death)*, released in 1993.[12]

## Notable inmates

- Edmundo Haya de la Torre, brother of [Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre](/source/V%C3%ADctor_Ra%C3%BAl_Haya_de_la_Torre)[4]

- [José María Arguedas](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_Arguedas), imprisoned from 1937 to 1938.[2][13]

- Carlos García Ronceros, [APRA Party](/source/American_Popular_Revolutionary_Alliance) member and father of [Alan García](/source/Alan_Garc%C3%ADa)[4]

## See also

- [Lima Penitentiary](/source/Lima_Penitentiary)

- [San Jorge Prison](/source/San_Jorge_Prison)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Córdova, Adolfo (2020-01-09). ["La avenida Alfonso Ugarte, otra vez muralla de Lima"](https://revistas.urp.edu.pe/index.php/Arquitextos/article/download/3896/4773/12202) [Alfonso Ugarte avenue, once again the wall of Lima]. *[Arquitextos](/source/National_University_of_Engineering)* (35): 109–124. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1819-2939](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1819-2939).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Trome_2-6) ["El Sexto: Se cumplen 39 años del sangriento motín carcelario que puso en vilo al país"](https://trome.com/actualidad/policiales/el-sexto-como-ocurrio-el-motin-mas-sangriento-en-penal-de-peru-que-torturas-hubo-y-cuantos-muertos-hubo-video-historias-de-policiales-trpm-noticia/#:~:text=El%20Establecimiento%20Penitenciario%20de%20Lima,Comisar%C3%ADa%20de%20la%20Guardia%20Republicana.). *[Trome](/source/Trome)*. 2023-03-27.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Batalla_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Batalla_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Batalla_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Batalla_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Batalla_3-4) Batalla, Carlos (2019-03-27). ["El Sexto: a 35 años del peor motín carcelario del Perú"](https://elcomercio.pe/archivo-elcomercio/sexto-35-anos-peor-motin-carcelario-peru-noticia-619403-noticia/). *[El Comercio](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru))*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cabanillas_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cabanillas_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Cabanillas_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Cabanillas_4-3) Cabanillas, Carlos (2018-12-06). ["Alan en la Cárcel"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190709213015/https://caretas.pe/politica/85207-alan_en_la_carcel). *[Caretas](/source/Caretas)*. Archived from [the original](https://caretas.pe/politica/85207-alan_en_la_carcel) on 2019-07-09. Retrieved 2024-01-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Batalla, Carlos (2024-03-21). ["El frustrado escape de 'El Sexto': descubre el rostro de la delincuencia juvenil en los años 60"](https://elcomercio.pe/archivo-elcomercio/fuga-masiva-penal-de-el-sexto-delincuencia-juvenil-hacinamiento-carcelario-inpe-guardia-civil-pip-guardia-republicana-decada-de-1960-nnsp-noticia/). *[El Comercio](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru))*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Batalla1968_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Batalla1968_6-1) Batalla, Carlos (2023-11-26). ["El increíble escape de 'La Gringa', 'Caman Baby' y diez presos más de El Sexto: la crónica de sus recapturas antes del golpe militar de 1968"](https://elcomercio.pe/archivo-elcomercio/penal-el-sexto-carceles-peruanas-fuga-masiva-inseguridad-ciudadana-la-gringa-caman-baby-el-fronton-guardia-republicana-pip-nnsp-noticia/). *[El Comercio](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru))*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-7Dias_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-7Dias_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-7Dias_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-7Dias_7-3) ["Dispare Contra el Ladrón"](https://books.google.com/books?id=gw0wAAAAYAAJ). *7 días del Perú y del mundo*. No. 653–664. 1971. p. 9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Motín sangriento en el penal El Sexto, de Lima"](https://elpais.com/diario/1984/03/29/portada/449359202_850215.html). *[El País](/source/El_Pa%C3%ADs)*. 1984-03-28.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Delgado_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Delgado_9-1) Delgado Zela, Valeria (2022-05-15). ["Un hombre en llamas, otro ejecutado de un balazo y un tercero acuchillado: 14 horas de terror en el motín del penal El Sexto"](https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/05/15/un-hombre-en-llamas-otro-ejecutado-de-un-balazo-y-un-tercero-acuchillado-14-horas-de-terror-en-el-motin-del-penal-el-sexto/). *[Infobae](/source/Infobae)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Batalla, Carlos (2023-03-29). ["El Sexto: la historia del peor motín en un penal de Lima donde hubo torturas, heridos y muertos"](https://elcomercio.pe/archivo-elcomercio/penal-el-sexto-el-sexto-la-historia-del-peor-motin-en-un-penal-de-lima-donde-hubo-torturas-heridos-y-muertos-fotos-motin-en-el-penal-centro-de-lima-inpe-delincuencia-en-lima-criminalidad-en-el-peru-decada-del-80-nnsp-noticia/). *[El Comercio](/source/El_Comercio_(Peru))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Aquino Espinoza, Gianella Mixsi (2020). ["Expediente N° 01767-2002 Proceso penal - Robo agravado; Expediente N° 183506-2004-00654 Proceso civil - Divorcio por causal"](https://repositorio.utp.edu.pe/handle/20.500.12867/3050). *[UTP](/source/Technological_University_of_Peru)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["'Reportaje a la muerte' y el incendio en 'La Floresta'"](https://trome.com/opinion/el-buho/reportaje-muerte-incendio-floresta-columna-video-75931/). *[Trome](/source/Trome)*. 2018-02-16.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Abusada, Eduardo (2008-04-10). "Matanza en 'El Sexto'". *[Trome](/source/Trome)*.

v t e Lima landmarks Pre-Columbian buildings Huaca Huallamarca Huaca Pucllana Huaca Santa Catalina Pachacamac Puruchuco Colonial buildings Balconies of Lima Basilica and Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Merced Monument Plazoleta Basilica and Convent of San Francisco Catacombs Basilica and Convent of San Pedro Basilica of Santo Domingo Plazuela Casa de Aliaga Casa de Divorciadas Casa de Osambela Casa de Pilatos Casa del Oidor Casa Goyeneche Casa Hacienda Punchauca Casa Matusita Casa O'Higgins Casa Riva-Agüero Casona of the National University of San Marcos Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Museum of Art Theatre Basilica Cathedral of Lima Sanctuary Cementerio Presbítero Matías Maestro Cripta de los Héroes Church of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Church of Saint Catherine of Siena Church of Saint Lazarus Church of the Good Death Church of the Holy Christ of Wonders Church of the Orphans Church of Our Lady of Copacabana Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church of Our Lady of Patronage Church of Saint Anne Church of Saint Augustine Church of Saint Liberata Church of Saint Mary Magdalene Convent of Our Lady of the Angels Cuartel Barbones Fort of Santa Catalina Iglesia de la Recoleta Mogrovejo Hospital Monastery of Saint Rose of Lima National Mint of Peru Palacio de la Magdalena Palacio de Torre Tagle Panteón de los Próceres Plaza de toros de Acho Real Felipe Fortress Royal College of the University of San Marcos Royal Hospital of Saint Andrew Sanctuary and Monastery of Las Nazarenas Sanctuary of Saint Rose of Lima Seminario de Lima St. Clare's Monastery Mill St. Sebastian's Church Trinitarian Church Walls of Lima Other touristic buildings Archbishop's Palace Association of Amateur Artists Atlas Building Bar Cordano Basílica María Auxiliadora BBVA Building Begonias Tower Casa Arenas Loayza Casa de Correos y Telégrafos Casa de las Trece Monedas Casa del Pueblo Casa Fernandini, Lima Casa Fernandini, Santa María del Mar Casa Roosevelt Casa Rusa Casa Sal y Rosas Casa Suárez Chinatown Arch Chocavento Tower Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Club de la Unión Club Nacional Country Club Lima Hotel Cristo del Pacífico Delfines Hotel & Convention Center Desamparados station Diez de Octubre School Eduardo Dibos Colosseum El Ángel Cemetery Gamarra Government Palace Obelisk Gran Hotel Bolívar Gran Hotel Maury Guadalupe College Hermitage of Barranco Hospital Civil de la Misericordia Hotel Crillón Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Monument Institute of Hygiene Interbank Building Javier Alzamora Valdez Building JW Marriott Hotel Lima La Atarjea La Colmena Building La Rosa Náutica Larcomar Teatro La Plaza Library of Congress Lima Civic Center Legislative Palace Lima Convention Center Lima Stock Exchange Building Luis Gálvez Chipoco Stadium Mesa Redonda Monumental Stadium Morro Solar War Monument Mosque of Lima National Geographic Institute National Library of Peru National Maternal Perinatal Institute National Stadium of Peru Palacio de la Exposición Palacio de Miraflores Palacio Municipal Palace of Justice Pan-American Athletes' Village Petroperú Building Public Ministry of Peru Quinta Heeren Quinta Leuro Quinta Presa Rospigliosi Castle Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus Church Sheraton Lima Historic Center Sinagoga 1870 Sinagoga Sharón The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center Torre Banco de la Nación Museums and theatres Aeronautical Museum Bodega y Quadra Museum Canout Theatre Casa Grau Naval Museum Combatants of the Morro de Arica Museum DIRCOTE Museum Gold Museum of Peru and Arms of the World Gran Teatro Nacional José Carlos Mariátegui Museum Larco Museum Lima Art Museum Metropolitan Museum Morro Solar Planetarium Municipal Theatre Museum Museum of Congress and the Inquisition Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of the Brain Museum of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru Museum of Elections and Democracy Museum of Italian Art Museum of Natural History National Afro-Peruvian Museum National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology and History National Museum National Museum of Peruvian Culture Naval Museum Pinacotheca of Lima Teatro Colón Teatro Municipal Teatro Peruano Japonés Teatro Segura Squares and promenades Cinco esquinas Jirón de la Unión Pasaje Olaya Monument Pasaje Santa Rosa Pizarro statue Stone of Taulichusco Paseo de los Héroes Navales Las llamas La yunta Paseo Colón Columbus Statue Pizza Blvd. Plaza de la Bandera Plaza Bolívar Plaza Bolognesi Plaza de la Democracia Plaza Dos de Mayo Plaza Francia Statue of Liberty Plaza Grau Monument Plaza Italia Plaza José Faustino Sánchez Carrión Plaza Manco Cápac Monument Plaza Mayor Fountain Plaza Perú Plaza Ramón Castilla Monument Plaza San Martín Lamp of the Three Graces Plazuela de las Artes Plazuela del Teatro Monument Parks and zoos Alameda Chabuca Granda Alameda de los Descalzos Museum Bridge of Sighs Campo de Marte Monument Costa Verde Pan-American Complex El Olivar Friendship Park Cultural Centre Museum Heroes of Independence Park Huachipa Zoo Lima Golf Club Malecón de Miraflores Love Park Villena Bridge Medicinal Botanical Garden Kennedy Park Lachay National Reserve Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge Parque de la Exposición Fountain Parque de La Muralla Parque de la Reserva Parque de las Leyendas Paseo de Aguas Plazuela Chabuca Granda Monument Reducto № 2 Museum Reducto № 5 University Park Clock Education Antonio Ruiz de Montoya University Cayetano Heredia University Federico Villarreal National University National Superior Autonomous School of Fine Arts Cultural Centre National University of Engineering National University of San Marcos Officers' School of the National Police of Peru Peruvian University of Applied Sciences Pontifical Catholic University of Peru Raúl Porras Barrenechea Institute Ricardo Palma University Technological University of Peru University of Engineering and Technology Campus University of Lima Health Archbishop Loayza National Hospital Central Military Hospital Dos de Mayo National Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital National Institute of Child Health National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases San Bartolomé National Hospital Víctor Larco Herrera Hospital Nearby areas with beaches Ancón Callao Base Port Chancay Port Chorrillos La Herradura Miraflores La Pampilla Pucusana Former Banco Comercial Barranco Lake Barranco Zoo Cabildo of Lima Casa Alcántara Casa Marcionelli Casa Oechsle Casa Tenaud Church of Our Lady of the Forsaken Church of Saint Mary of Charity Cine Tauro El Sexto Prison Gate of Lima Giacoletti Building Great Clock of Lima Hipódromo de San Felipe Hipódromo de Santa Beatriz Lima Penitentiary Limatambo Airport Limatambo Building Marsano Palace Moorish Arch Museo de la Nación National Stadium San Jorge Prison San Martín barracks Venetian Palace Saint Paul's College Viceregal Palace

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [El Sexto Prison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Sexto_Prison) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Sexto_Prison?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.