Total prison population: 6914 prisoners 

Crime trend: Down 43% in 2000–2001

A corrupt judiciary and police force failed to stem a postwar crime wave fueled by readily available arms; armed robberies, kidnappings, and murders deter investment and tourism. Many gang members were deported from the US in the 1990s; the Mara Salvatrucha gang alone has 17,000 members.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004