La eficacia del habeas corpus frente a las condiciones de hacinamiento carcelario en el Ecuador.

Abstract

Habeas corpus is a constitutional guarantee aimed at protecting personal freedom and integrity. This guarantee has gained significant relevance in light of the prison crisis in Ecuador. The increase in the prison population, the lack of public rehabilitation policies, and limited infrastructure have resulted in systematic violations of the fundamental rights of incarcerated individuals. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the effectiveness of habeas corpus as a legal mechanism in response to inhumane conditions arising from overcrowding in the country's penitentiary centers. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach based on a review article, addressing normative, doctrinal, and jurisprudential analysis. The constitutional and legal foundations of this action are examined, as well as emblematic cases that demonstrate its application to safeguard the rights of people deprived of liberty. Among the main findings, it is highlighted that while habeas corpus has helped to make the crisis visible and obtain protective measures, its effectiveness is limited by structural factors such as insufficient resources, institutional resistance, and weak implementation of judicial rulings. In conclusion, this action constitutes an indispensable legal tool, but alone it is insufficient to remedy prison overcrowding, requiring integration with comprehensive penitentiary policies and a stronger state commitment to the protection of human rights.