CAT/C/39/2
page 27
up. The delegado himself acknowledged the conditions amounted to violations of human rights
of the inmates and in some cases could amount to torture. He said inmates caused “self-inflicted
injuries” in order to gain release. The facility was extremely hot as a result of crowding, the roof
was asbestos and there were no NGO or church visits. Washing and sanitation was almost nonexistent. The Committee itself witnessed the deplorable impact of these conditions on the health
of those in detention, as most of them were emaciated and pale and some of them had open
sores.
101. The Committee members found that there were 40 or 50 people per cell, with two
being 5m by 6m and two 4m by 5m and resembling cages. They were 4m high at most. The cells
had no electricity, no light and there was no space for inmates to read. There were no beds, and
inmates slept on concrete surfaces and hammocks. The roof was open, and the detainees were
not sheltered from the rain. The conditions were either very hot or cold and the inmates were
pale. The food, which was seen by the Committee members, was inappropriate, and detainees
indicated that they are required to pay for the food when they leave. There was one tap per cell
for washing which is fed by tanks on the roof and one toilet stall, protected by a thin curtain.
There was no possibility for all inmates to sleep at the same time, given the space available, and
inmates had to take turns to sleep, as well as use hammocks in order to create levels to allow for
sleep. The corridor outside is always lighted, and raw sewage runs in this corridor from the cells.
102. Detainees are allowed a 30-minute visit every 30 days, but they are not allowed to use the
telephone, and currently visits are suspended because of fear of riots. One detainee indicated he
had been there for 20 months and had no opportunity for visits. Detainees indicated that they
needed to attract attention by making noise to get medical assistance and that gas bombs and
pepper spray are used by staff to keep inmates under control. Many detainees provided the
Committee members with notes on their situation, with many suggesting that they had been kept
in prison well beyond the time of their sentences. Others indicated that they had yet to be
charged. Some alleged beatings in addition to the frequent use of gas bombs, pepper spray and
noise.
103. The Committee also visited the Delegacia de Furtos e Roubos in Belo Horizonte. The
Committee members were told that 400 inmates were in the delegacia, and that they were never
allowed out of their cells. There were 22 cells, the small ones being 10 square metres and
housing 10, 20, 28 and 30 persons and the large 15 square metres. At least two inmates were
HIV-positive and at least three others mentioned that they had syphilis. There was running water
in the cell, and light in the corridor, but not in the cells. Again the Committee members were able
to speak to inmates without interference. On the day the Committee members visited, men were
standing in groups of 50 in the patio, totally naked allegedly for security reasons according to the
Director. The food, which the Committee members saw, was very poor, frequently raw, always
cold, and insufficient. No detainee alleged that they had been physically attacked, but suggested
that tear gas and incapacitating sprays are used, and guards intimidate through the use of noise
and banging on cell bars with sticks. There are no dentists’ visit, nor are legal services provided,
and some detainees alleged that their sentences had been served. No children may visit, as the
delegado considers the conditions inappropriate. He also indicated that his training was with
regard to investigations, not care of inmates.
104. The Committee members also visited the Delegacia Tóxicos and Entopecentes in
Belo Horizonte, housing both convicted and pre-trial detainees waiting process on drugs charges.
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