"Eyes23" reports from a new perspective and original reporting. All the prisoners are shaved heads and have tattoos on their bodies and faces. This is a huge prison in El Salvador, Central America, where "former gangsters" are held. For the first time, Japanese media has entered the inside of a prison that is said to be "the most terrifying in the world". ■First time in Japanese media: Reporting on the "world's most terrifying" gang prison Reporter Jun Ohashi: "I can see it, the huge building. There are many soldiers with guns standing at the entrance." The walls are 9 meters high... They say that there is no way to escape. The "Terrorist Confinement Center", a huge prison with a capacity of 40,000 people, was built in El Salvador, Central America. Reporter Ohashi: "It was there all of a sudden. And... I was just called out to. They are all looking at me at once." Inmates: "..." No one says anything. They just stare at me. Reporter Ohashi: "You can see that they have a lot of tattoos on their faces and hands. Some of the inmates even glare at you. It's really intense." The inmates are said to be former gang members who have been involved in several violent crimes, including murder and kidnapping. Reporter Ohashi: "There are two gang groups in El Salvador. The two have been fighting fiercely, "MS13" and "Mara18," but in this prison they are in the same cell." The government defines gangs as "terrorists," and the inmates, who have their heads shaved, spend 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in this building as a rule. The premise is that they will not be "reintegrated into society," and they are not allowed to have any contact with the outside world, let alone their families. Reporter Ohashi: "There is a guard standing overlooking this area, carrying a gun. If something happens, they can shoot from there." Staff and guards hide their faces because there is a possibility that they could be harmed by gangs outside the prison. ■Eating with one's fingers, not even a pillow or blanket...Almost no privacy A man with 500 crimes: "I don't want anyone to be incarcerated here" Life for prisoners is naturally harsh. Forks and knives can be used as weapons, so meals must be "eaten with one's fingers". There is practically no privacy, the lights are on during bedtime, and no pillows or blankets can be used. This prisoner has been involved in over 500 crimes, including murder and robbery. After confirming his wishes, we obtained special permission to speak to him. A former leader of a gang group: "This is a prison where strict discipline and strict obedience are required. It's not a five-star hotel." He joined a gang when he was 13 years old. He says he regrets his life since entering prison. Former gang leader: "I want to tell kids not to join gangs. I don't want anyone, not just children and young people, but my former enemies, to end up in this place." ■Everyday life in El Salvador, the world's most dangerous country. Gangs shoot people for not paying $80. El Salvador has been known as the world's most dangerous country for nearly 30 years, as gangs have been fighting over territory. The worst was in 2015, when there were 106.3 murders per 100,000 people. Although it is not possible to make a simple comparison, this is about 150 times the recent rate in Japan (0.7). Law and order in El Salvador was in a state of collapse. At the time, one of the things that tormented people was the "protection money" from gangs. Jose Antonio, who made a living as a street vendor, was shot by a gang seven years ago. It was because he could not pay the $80 protection money demanded in order to do business. Jose Antonio, who runs a street stall, said, "I have two daughters. I told the gangsters, please give me another chance to live and work." Antonio begged for his life, but the gangsters said, "Enough," and shot him. Antonio was taken to the hospital and survived, but this was the "everyday life" in El Salvador. ■ The government's "anti-gang operation" has a negative side as many people claim to be "falsely accused" What completely changed this situation was the "anti-gang operation" launched by the current government in 2019. Reporter Ohashi: "It's getting dark, but the military has started a security operation. They're going from house to house to check if there are any suspicious people." The government has made security its top priority, and has deployed the military and armed police officers to crack down on gangs. The "extrajudicial measures" that were introduced as an exception have been particularly successful. If a gang-related tattoo is found on the body or a third party reports it, an arrest can be made with