Me alquilaba para matar: en venganza mataron a mis padres | Roque #Penitencia #entrevista #méxico

Roque's initial incarceration stemmed from a 1985 bicycle theft at age 19, for which he received a 75-peso fine. His inability to pay this small amount led to his imprisonment. Once inside, to gain respect and fueled by drug addiction, he began taking blame for other inmates' murders and crimes, accumulating a staggering 290-year sentence (later reduced to 90 years). This illustrates how a minor offense, combined with systemic failures and prison dynamics, can lead to a drastically disproportionate and self-perpetuating cycle of incarceration.

Roque states he was jailed in 1985 for a bicycle theft and could have been released for 75 pesos and 25 cents (04:46, 04:56). He describes 'renting' himself out to take blame for murders for 90,000 pesos or drugs, leading to sentences of 35 or 28 years per incident (10:01, 13:07).

Roque vividly describes the Santa Marta penitentiary as a 'carnicería' (butcher shop) where daily deaths were common, either from stabbings or hangings. He lived in 'dormitorio seis,' known as the 'carnicería,' where a person died daily. This environment fostered a culture where violence was a means to gain respect and survive, and drug addiction was rampant, enabling inmates like Roque to commit further crimes for pay or substances.

Roque states, 'Diario había un muerto Zo era de puro asesino. Ahorita es una un paraíso. Ahorita es una gloria porque ahí diario había muerto un horcado diario también en la peniticería' (13:48). He refers to his living area as 'dormitorio seis, que era la carnicería donde yo vivía, porque no me dejaban salir a población general' (14:20).

The turning point in Roque's life occurred in 2007 when his parents were brutally murdered outside the prison. This act was a direct revenge for a killing Roque committed inside. Despite his deep drug addiction at the time, this profound loss shocked him into seeking change, leading him to enter a rehabilitation clinic within the prison. This tragedy, rather than further entrenching him in violence, became the impetus for his journey to sobriety and self-improvement.

Roque recounts how, after committing a murder for 500 pesos worth of drugs, his parents were followed and 'rafaguearon, los malaciaron' (shot) in 2007 as revenge for the inmate he killed (20:01, 20:21). He states, 'Eso fue la causa de que yo dejé ya empecé la droga' (20:30).

After achieving sobriety, Roque embarked on a journey of self-discovery, including accepting his bisexuality. He describes initially detesting and assaulting homosexuals while addicted, but later forming a three-year relationship with another inmate, 'La Talía.' This relationship led to him contracting HIV. Despite the initial shock and desire for revenge, Roque now lives with HIV indetectably, managing it through consistent treatment, exercise, and a positive mental outlook, demonstrating profound acceptance and resilience.

Roque discusses coming out as bisexual (22:57) and how he 'detestaba yo a los homosexuales, les pegaba, los odiaba' (23:42) before his transformation. He then details his relationship with 'La Talía' and contracting HIV (25:55). He states, 'Hoy en mi mente no tengo yo el VIH, no tengo la hepatitis, no tengo propenso al cáncer, no tengo nada. ¿Por qué? Porque nada más es como mentalmente' (27:24) and 'estoy indetectable gracias al deporte, gracias a no drogarme' (28:02).

Roque highlights a significant shift in the penitentiary's environment starting around 2014. The introduction of human rights lawyers and 'technical' staff led to a reduction in corruption, an end to physical abuse by custodians, and improved treatment of inmates. This institutional change fostered an environment where inmates could seek help for conflicts rather than resorting to violence, contributing to a more humane and less deadly prison experience.

Roque notes, 'En el 2014 empezó a cambiar lo que es la penitencia, porque entraron unos licenciados que les nombran ahorita los técnicos. Los técnicos. Empezó a entrar los señores, los licenciados de derechos humanos' (15:09). He details how custodians stopped beating inmates and started treating them 'como la gente' (15:47), offering medical attention and respectful conflict resolution (16:31).