Lima , Peru ( CNN ) -- The last thing we heard before going into Castro Castro prison here was the sound of a metal door closing behind us and the clanking of bolts and locks . We were locked in . Castro Castro is home to some of Peru 's most violent criminals , including terrorists . It is also the new home of Joran van der Sloot , who is charged in the murder of a young Peruvian woman , and has long been a suspect the 2005 disappearance of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway in Aruba . The prison , built in the 1980s to house national terrorists , is surrounded by dirt roads in a poor neighborhood in the outskirts of Lima . It is one of the country 's most technologically advanced prisons . Visitors must consent to a full body scan in order to enter the jail . We had to cross several gated perimeters before we arrived at one of the twelve inmate pavilions . Inmates are housed according to their crimes and every inmate group has a leader who serves as a liaison between the inmates and jail officials . We were able to speak freely to inmates in one pavilion used to house inmates accused of drug crimes . They told us that rehabilitation is a big part of their prison life . We were shown several workshops that teach skills including arts and crafts , baking , culinary arts , carpentry , shoe making and computer skills . Prison officials say these inmates have passed psychological exams and have earned the benefit of participating in these specialty workshops . Inmate Walter Ramos told us he would go crazy if it was n't for the opportunity to be in the art and crafts workshop . He has been in prison for 27 months and has yet to stand trial . The last time he saw a judge was 14 months ago , he says . At Castro Castro . inmates are rewarded for good behavior as a way for authorities to keep the peace amongst the population . As we made our way through the different pavilions and speak to a group of men charged for terrorism we are constantly surrounded by about a dozen guards . They will accompany us for the duration of our 3 hour visit . It is a large amount of security considering that only fifty unarmed guards watch over almost 1600 inmates on a daily basis . Overpopulation is a big problem at Castro Castro . The jail was built to house only 700 inmates , with two inmates per cell but in fact , four to six inmates now occupy most cells , authorities said . We asked to see the living quarters but authorities would not allow it citing security concerns . We were able to see was Joran van der Sloot 's cell . Prison officials took us after he was escorted out . We caught a glimpse of him through the fence as guards led him from the protective custody unit . He wore an orange shirt and light colored pants . He is kept in a solitary cell the size of a walk-in closet . It was equipped with a cot covered with a thin mattress and a blanket made from Peruvian textiles . The mattress was probably about six inches thick , and it was covered with a sheet . It seemed comfortable enough to the touch . On top of the bed were several books , most of them in Dutch . The books included a Bible and other religious works . Beneath the books were some magazines . Also on top of the bed were two unopened boxes of what looked like toothpaste . There were hooks on the walls for clothes . Hanging on one was the red knit jacket van der Sloot has worn on television . There was a hole in the floor for a toilet and a concrete sink with running water . The cell did n't seem cold . The floor of the cell was covered with shiny synthetic wood . Van der Sloot does not eat with the other inmates , prison officials said . His meals are prepared separately for him for security reasons . He eats what the prison staff eats . We are told he has met with a criminal defense attorney , Maximo Altez . Outside his cell complex we bump into pastoral superintended Peter Middelkoop , who said he had just met with Van der Sloot to offer him spiritual advice . He could not provide us with any details , citing confidentiality agreements . Jail director Alex Samame told us his goal is to eventually introduce Van der Sloot into the general population . Inmate Ramos said Van der Sloot has nothing to worry about since many at Castro Castro have been accused of similar crimes . `` He is one of us '' he said .
Joran van der Linden has his own cell at the Castro II prison in Lima , Peru . He ate the same food as the prison staff for security reasons . A Bible , some boxes of toothpaste , and magazines were on his bed . In Session toured the prison and gained access to the cell .