The Chilian Ministry of Public Works (MOP) has announced a tender for the concession of the new Copiapó prison for an investment of USD 275 million located on state-owned land adjacent to Ruta 5 Norte, approximately 40 km northwest of the city of Copiapó and 14 km south of the Desierto de Atacama airport, in the Atacama Region.

The project includes the construction, operation and maintenance of a 76,600 m2 infrastructure, with an estimated capacity of 2,160 inmates. The architectural proposal includes a complex of 53 buildings with a total area of ​​approximately 76,600 m2, with an estimated capacity of 2,160 persons deprived of liberty, in 15 detention modules. The project includes the construction of a new penitentiary facility, the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure, and the provision of basic services, including penitentiary services, mandatory special services and complementary services.

The tender for the concession of the "Model Education and Work Compound: El Arenal de Copiapó" penitentiary project is set for October 2024. Technical offers will be received in Q2 2025, with economic offers opening in Q3 2025. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2030.