Annual Report 2010 by the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture
The distribution criteria laid
156. The criteria for the distribution of detainees in facilities with collective cells
down in Article 521 LECRIM
are compliant with Article 521 LECRIM, with men and women, adults and
are met
juveniles and persons detained for the same offence being held separately. No
overcrowding was observed on any of the inspection visits carried out.
Ventilation, temperature
157. The conditions in the cells as regards ventilation, temperature and artificial
and artificial lighting are
lighting can be considered as satisfactory. At the time of the visits the cells were
satisfactory
clean. They are cleaned daily and disinfected at regular intervals or whenever
circumstances so require.
Cameras are installed and
158. During the inspection visits it was observed that the CCTV cameras in the
recordings are made.
holding areas covered the entrance to the cells, the interior of the cells themselves,
Access to them is restricted
the corridors, the room used for searches (which also had an audio system) and
the entrance from the garage. Special mention must be made of the station at Les
Corts (Barcelona), where over 100 CCTV cameras are installed. Recordings are
made and all sections of those recordings running from 10 seconds prior to each
movement detected by the sensors to 10 seconds after each movement has ceased
are stored for 30 days. Images are displayed in the control rooms, where an officer
is stationed permanently to monitor them, except for those from the room used
for searches, which are displayed in the offices of the officers in charge of the
station. Access to recordings is restricted, and there is a security system in place
to prevent tampering.
Evacuation plans and
159. The detainee holding areas are fitted with extinguishers, smoke detectors
signposted routes are in
and alarm buttons and they all have evacuation plans in place with routes
place
signposted for use in case of fire or other emergencies. The locks on the cell doors
can only be opened manually.
Communication between
160. Detainees communicate with the officers guarding them directly by voice, or
detainees and staff is by
via the CCTV surveillance system. At all the establishments visited at least two
voice and CCTV
surveillance
officers were observed to be on surveillance duty while holding cells were occupied.
No incoming or outgoing
161. Detainees do not undergo any medical examination on entering or leaving
detainee medical
the holding cells, but health care is provided if necessary. At the establishments
examinations are
conducted, but a
questionnaire on the state
visited it was observed that a questionnaire was filled in for each detainee concerning
his/her state of health, with a view to detecting problems such as diabetes, epilepsy
of health of each detainee
or infectious/contagious diseases. Any detainees who feel unwell or wish to be seen
is filled in
by a doctor inform staff at the facility accordingly, and it is the staff who decide
whether to take them to the allocated hospital. Barcelona-Les Corts station is an
exception in this regard, as it has its own medical service from Monday to Saturday,
and the duty doctor decides whether or not to move detainees.
Specific rules are in place
When signs of infectious or contagious disease are observed in a detainee,
for cases of infectious and
prophylactic precautionary measures are taken, the relevant area is disinfected
88
THE OMBUDSMAN OF SPAIN
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents