<p>Prison systems in Latin America face chronic crises marked by overcrowding, institutional fragility, and rising violence, conditions that shape the daily experiences and vulnerabilities of incarcerated individuals. In this setting, perceptions of insecurity and experiences of discrimination become central to understanding intramural well‑being. Although prior research underscores the importance of social support during incarceration, quantitative evidence on its role in reducing insecurity and discrimination remains limited, particularly in Ecuador. This study examines whether external economic, family, or social support mitigates perceived insecurity and discrimination among incarcerated individuals. Using data from the 2022 National Prison Census, which covers 36 facilities, we analyze outcomes related to cell insecurity, facility-level insecurity, and discrimination. To address non‑random access to support, we apply propensity score matching (PSM) to control for relevant individual characteristics. Findings show that supported individuals report lower levels of insecurity and less discrimination, suggesting that external support serves as a protective factor within Ecuador’s prison system. This article contributes to the literature in three ways. Theoretically, it shifts attention from the role of external support and its relevance for well-being during incarceration. Methodologically, it uses nationally representative prison census data and a propensity score matching strategy to provide systematic quantitative evidence on prison experiences in Ecuador. Substantively, the findings show that external support is associated with lower perceived insecurity and discrimination, suggesting that such support may operate as a protective resource within a fragile and violent prison environment.</p>