Corruption is a phenomenon that permeates all aspects of human activity, including the public and private sectors. As a polysemic concept, i.e. with multiple meanings, its different manifestations must be approached with different strategies. In this article we propose to make a brief approach to the phenomena of corruption in the penitentiary system. This debate will be approached from its dynamics, its concepts, international standards, forms of intervention, and its relationship with the unconstitutional state of affairs in Colombian prisons and penitentiaries.