CAT/OP/MEX/1/Add.2
light and hygiene, the primary objective being to provide persons deprived of liberty with a
more decent living, recreational and working environment, thereby contributing
significantly to the effectiveness of their rehabilitation and their quality of life. The
construction of new prison facilities will make it possible to prevent overcrowding, which
can be characterized as a form of torture or cruel treatment in the case of persons deprived
of their liberty.
277. A federal penitentiary is currently being built in the locality of Miahuatlán de
Porfirio Díaz in collaboration with the state government and the Federal Government.
278. The Oaxaca social rehabilitation department is taking appropriate measures for the
construction of two new state prisons which will meet the minimum requirements relating
to security, space, ventilation, natural light and hygiene. It is planned to locate these
facilities in the region of Valles Centrales, with an additional facility in Costa or Mixteca,
since these are areas where there is most demand. Once these prisons are built, the facilities
which do not currently comply with the standards of prisoner accommodation will be
closed.
C.
1.
Improvements to places of detention
Federal District
279. As part of the mechanisms for overseeing the conduct of public servants of the
Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal District, 547 surveillance cameras were
installed in 2008 at strategic sites on the premises of the prosecution divisions, making it
possible to prevent assaults on the physical integrity of persons detained pending their
appearance before the public prosecutor and to check the service provided to users in
general.
280. In 2011, 225 surveillance cameras were purchased for the same purpose and
installed at the prosecution divisions in security or cell block areas, which are monitored by
the Judicial Inspectorate of the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal District. They
also operate as a means of ensuring respect for detainees’ personal integrity and preventing
or discouraging assaults on detainees. In addition, 16 high-technology closed-circuit
cameras have been installed at strategic sites on central investigation department premises.
281. The work of the Judicial Inspectorate constitutes one of the most important oversight
mechanisms with regard to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federal District since
this inspection body undertakes supervisory visits to the public prosecution divisions,
during which checks are made to ensure that the conduct of the prosecution service
conforms to the principles of legality, impartiality, efficiency and probity.
282. The types of inspection carried out by this body can be classified as follows: full;
technical and legal oversight and evaluation; rota; ad hoc; follow-up; review; investigative
and online.
283. As regards visits to assess preliminary investigations conducted following arrests, it
is ascertained, inter alia, whether the suspects’ detention is justifiable on legal grounds,
whether their physical condition has been medically certified and whether they have been
informed of their rights as recognized by article 20 of the Mexican Constitution.
284. Refurbishment work has been carried out in the Federal District on 25 cell blocks,
including, in particular, the replacement of bars with lexan and the installation of vandalproof sanitary equipment to ensure that persons handed over to the authorities have the use
of adequate facilities.
78
GE.13-41196 (EXT)
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