"Escaped: Inside Ecuador's Lawless Prisons and the Notorious Gang Leader's Lavish Life Behind Bars"

José Adolfo Macías, leader of the Los Choneros gang in Ecuador, lived a luxurious life in prison, enjoying amenities like a queen-size bed, mini fridge, and pet fighting roosters, while exerting control over the prison system. His recent escape has highlighted the lawlessness and corruption within Ecuador's prisons, which have become headquarters for criminal groups, leading to frequent violence, overcrowding, and systemic corruption. The government's militarized crackdown on gangs following the escape raises questions about long-term solutions to the country's pervasive crime issues.