I. Introduction: Prisons as Tools of Authoritarian Power 
In Nicaragua, prisons are no longer symbols of justice but of political control. The government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has increasingly relied on the imprisonment of dissidents to silence opposition and consolidate power. Writers, journalists, activists, clergy, and ordinary citizens who voice dissent are targeted, subjected to arbitrary arrests, and sentenced in unfair trials. As political prisons fill, fear permeates society, pushing more Nicaraguans to seek asylum abroad to escape the suffocating grip of authoritarianism. 

II. Historical Continuity of Repression 
The Ortega regime’s reliance on political imprisonment is part of a long trajectory of authoritarianism in Nicaragua. Once hailed as a revolutionary leader who fought against dictatorship, Ortega has transformed into the very figure he once opposed. Over the decades, his government has dismantled democratic checks and balances, turning courts, police, and prisons into instruments of repression. 

III. Criminalisation of Dissent 
Charges such as ‘undermining national sovereignty,’ ‘spreading false news,’ and ‘terrorism’ are weaponised against critics. These vague and arbitrary accusations allow authorities to arrest anyone who expresses opposition to the government. Activists and opposition politicians are detained without evidence, and trials often occur behind closed doors without legal representation, violating international norms of due process. 

IV. Conditions Inside Prisons 
Political prisoners in Nicaragua endure appalling conditions. Detention centres are overcrowded, unsanitary, and lack access to adequate food and medical care. Reports describe prolonged solitary confinement, psychological torture, and mistreatment by guards. Family visits are heavily restricted, leaving detainees isolated and vulnerable. These inhumane conditions serve as deliberate tools of intimidation, meant to break the spirit of prisoners and deter dissent in society. 

The government extends its repression beyond prisoners to their families. Relatives are harassed, monitored, and often lose their jobs or educational opportunities. Spouses and children face intimidation in their communities, reinforcing the climate of fear. By targeting families, the regime seeks to isolate dissidents and dissuade others from speaking out. 

VI. The 2018 Protests and Mass Detentions 
The nationwide protests of 2018, sparked by unpopular social security reforms, marked a turning point in Nicaragua’s repression. Tens of thousands took to the streets demanding political change, only to face brutal crackdowns. Hundreds of protesters were killed, and thousands were arrested. Since then, imprisonment has become a standard government response to any form of dissent, with prisons filled by students, opposition leaders, journalists, and clergy. 

VII. Targeting of Journalists and Activists 
Journalists and activists are among the most frequently imprisoned. Independent reporters are accused of spreading disinformation, while human rights defenders are labelled as foreign agents. These tactics aim to eliminate alternative sources of information and weaken civil society organisations, leaving citizens dependent on state propaganda. 

VIII. Religious Leaders in Detention 
Clergy who criticise the government or call for peace have also been targeted. Several priests and bishops have been arrested, accused of conspiring against the state. Church properties have been confiscated, and religious organisations face tighter restrictions. This assault on religious leaders underscores the government’s intolerance of moral authority that challenges its rule. 

IX. Migration as an Escape 
For many Nicaraguans, the threat of imprisonment has made migration a necessity. Exiles flee to Costa Rica, the United States, and Spain, where they seek asylum on the basis of political persecution. Many continue their activism abroad, raising awareness of Nicaragua’s human rights crisis and providing support to those still inside the country. 

X. Diaspora Advocacy 
The Nicaraguan diaspora plays a crucial role in advocating for the release of political prisoners. Exiled activists organise protests, lobby international organisations, and document abuses. Their voices ensure that the plight of prisoners is not forgotten, even as the government denies their existence. 

XI. International Condemnation 
Human rights groups, the United Nations, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have condemned Nicaragua’s widespread use of political imprisonment. Reports highlight arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, and torture. Sanctions have been imposed on officials, but the regime continues to defy international pressure, framing criticism as foreign interference. 

XII. Conclusion: Prisons as Symbols of Repression 
The imprisonment of dissidents in Nicaragua reflects the regime’s systematic assault on freedom and democracy. Prisons serve not only to punish individuals but also to intimidate society into silence. As long as political imprisonment remains a cornerstone of governance, more Nicaraguans will continue to flee in search of safety, dignity, and justice abroad.