WARNING: this gallery contains graphic images
Police patrol murder scene in Montelimar neighbourhood, Olocuilta.
El Salvador is consistently considered to be among world’s most dangerous countries. In recent years gang violence has plagued the country, forcing many citizens to flee in migrant caravans in search of a better life to the north in the USA.
Armed police patrol MS-13 controlled neighbourhood in Central San Salvador; In 2016 alone, 5,257 intentional homicides were committed in El Salvador (83 murders per 100,000 population.)
A forensic team investigates the scene of a murder in Olocuilta. Four suspected gang members approached a female sweet vendor on a secluded pathway in the Montelimar neighbourhood and shot her over 20 times after she refused to hand over her earnings.
Onlookers at the scene of a shooting homicide in downtown San Salvador. A security guard was shot in a restaurant. His gun was stolen in the incident.
Police during a raid on suspected gang residencies in Central San Salvador.
Francisco (left) a night-shift photographer for popular national tabloid newspaper La Prensa Grafica, enjoys pupusas with colleagues during a short break on a busy Saturday night in San Salvador.
Police set up a cordon around a crime scene in MS-13 controlled downtown San Salvador. Two murder suspects led police on a short high-speed chase through the city before abandoning their car and fleeing on foot.
A video journalist for a national news broadcaster awaits information at a murder scene.
A news reporter speaks with a forensec lead investigating the shooting of a young man in a restaurant in Downtown San Salvador.
Police investigate the the murder of a man who was shot in a car on a desolate stretch of highway between San Salvador and La Libertad.
A video journalist prepares to shoot footage at a police cordon in Mejicanos.
An elderly woman was shot dead whilst sleeping in a hammock outside her home. During the same evening 16 intentional homicides were recorded across El Salvador with at least 11 being committed in or around the capital
A man in his 60s was assassinated by gang members and then left on a secluded stretch of road near Illopango women’s prison. His semi naked body had been bound and then wrapped in a heavy blanket.
A suspected gang member lays prone on the floor whilst armed police search his home.
Police raid the house of a suspected gang member. A substantial amount of cocaine was found in the property.
Manuel is serving a 10 year sentence at Apanteos Prison for an Extortion conviction.
Ex MS-13 pandilleros (gang members) Nelson and Franklin, serving time for homicide and extortion respectively, stand in their cell in Apanteos prison, Santa Ana. The cell houses approximately 30 inmates.
Both men are enrolled in the 'Yo Cambio' (I Change) programme, a government run scheme aimed at providing prison inmates with high school equivalent qualifications to better equip themselves for reintegration into life outside of prison upon their release.
The scheme was rolled out to convicted gang members in 2017 after positive results were seen among general prison populations throughout El Salvador.
Ex MS-13 pandilleros learn barbering skills inside Apanteos Prison
MS-13 gang members newly arrived at Apanteos prison are kept in a cramped holding cell separate from the main population. Approximately 75 prisoners have been held in this one cell for up to 90 days with only 5 minutes per day outside to either shower, make a call or use the toilet.
Horacio, an ex MS-13 gang member serving time for homicide, wears a Roman soldier outfit that he made for recent Easter celebrations. The costume was made during an arts and crafts class which is part of ‘Yo Cambio’ programme
Prison warden looks through the caged roof of a cell in Apanteos prison
Danny, an ex gang member. now resides in a drug an alcohol rehabilitation centre in central San Salvador. he has been inside this facility for 2 years, and has not set foot outside for fear of members of his old clica finding out where he is.
A requirement for residence in this centre is to enter into a life doing God’s work. Residents read the bible and pray daily. Religion plays an extremely important role in Savadorean life. In terms of gang codes. the only legitimate reasons for leaving a gang are to set up a business (For which the gang will then extort you) or if you turn to a life of God. Many ex gang members become pastors as a way to protect their lives once out of a gang.
Raul, an ex 18th Street gang member, waits to undergo a laser removal session for some of his many tattoos. After serving time in San Francisco Gotera prison, Raul left gang life behind to raise a family and become a pastor.
Raul undergoes laser removal treatment for some of his many tattoos. Once a gang member has left pandillero life their tattoos become a stigma among the public and a target to his old clica.
Pastor Saul conducts a sermon during a Culto for Ex addicts and gang members in Mejicanos.
Pastor Saul is an ex gang member and now a man of God who works to rehabilitate active and retired gang members. His home in Soyapango was once an MS-13 Destroyer House where drugs were manufactured, weapons were stored and victims were taken to be tortured and killed. It now doubles as a chapel for weekly cultos (masses).