History

The Order of Penitentiary Social Merit (Orden del Merito Social Penitenciario) was instituted in Spain by the government of General Francisco Franco on May 1, 1944. It was awarded to the members of the Spanish Prison Corps, in recognition of meritorious service and relevant activities in collaboration with the Spanish penitentiary administration.

The Order consisted of Distinguished Gold Cross, Distinguished Silver Cross, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and Bronze Medal grades.

It was conferred for a short period from 1944 to 1948,

In 1996, the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals for penitentiary merit were created. These Medals depict the badge of the Order.

This Order is also known as the Prison Service Order.