Several top leaders of El Salvador 's Mara street gangs have begun a hunger strike to protest conditions at the Zacatecoluca prison . The Ministry of Justice and Public Safety did not identify the prisoners Friday , but local media say they are leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18 gangs . Justice Minister Benito Lara says some prisoners are on hunger strike for better conditions . Several top leaders of El Salvador 's Mara street gangs have begun a hunger strike to protest conditions at the Zacatecoluca prison . He says , 'They are all stable ; there are no problems . ' The prison is known as 'Zacatraz ' and it has stricter rules than most Salvadoran prisons . No conjugal visits are allowed and there are few opportunities for contact with the outside world or participation in prison programs . Most of the leaders are serving sentences of 20 years or more for crimes like homicide or extortion .
Prison is known as ' Zacatraz ' and it has stricter rules than most Salvadoran prisons . There are no conjugal visits are allowed and there are few opportunities for interaction with the outside authorities or prison programs . Most of the inmates are serving sentences of 20 years or more for crimes like robbery or extortion .