The Penitentiary Surveillance judge of the National Court has agreed to grant the third degree of prison, that is, the semi-liberty regime, to the leader of the Gürtel plot, Francisco Correa, who has an offer to work in a media outlet.
In a car to which EFE has had access, Judge José Luis Castro, according to the prosecutor’s criteria, estimates Correa’s appeal against the initial decision of Penitentiary Institutions, which rejected his progression to the third degree for not appreciating an evolution ” favorable enough”, among other reasons.
Correa, 67 years old and who must serve a maximum sentence of 18 years in prison, has already completed more than half of the sentence after spending 10 years in prison.
The judge’s report underlines the positive evolution of the inmate’s behavior, who more than two years ago expressed his repentance in writing, who was only penalized once for having a mobile phone and who has had “a low profile” in the respect module from the Valdemoro prison (Madrid) where he has spent most of his time preparing his defense in the numerous cases in which he is immersed.
In fact, the prison social educator records in his report that, since October 2020, Correa has taken charge of the Legal Aid Commission, which serves to help the rest of his colleagues make relevant resources in their cases and to understand your legal situation.
And, coinciding with this responsibility, “there have been a series of changes in his attitude and personal conduct, such as the recognition of mistakes made throughout his personal and professional career.”
Correa, the letter adds, “has collaborated with the courts by making his assets available to the authorities to face the civil liability imposed on him; he has shown collaboration with the prosecution and courts in recent trials” and “has requested to participate in an Intervention Program for Economic Crimes”.
“There is an important sense of responsibility in the prisoner, who has made days of enjoyment coincide with outings in self-government to attend the oral trial sessions at the National Court,” the resolution adds.
It also records Correa’s decision to allow the unlocking of his accounts in Switzerland to repatriate 20.7 million euros that have been destined to repair the damage caused and his civil liability.
And of his collaboration with the Prosecutor’s Office in other pieces judged in the National Court, such as the one that is now being elucidated about the Valencian plot with the former president of that community Francisco Camps sitting in the defendant’s dock.
The prison Treatment Board opposed grade progression due to factors such as the seriousness of the offences, the low intimidation effect of the sentence, and the existence of a pending case for which he must be tried.
But the judge does not share that opinion and believes that there are more positive factors for his move to the open regime, especially due to the existence of “a proven job offer in a media outlet.”
