Annual Report 2015 - Spain’s National Preventive Mechanism
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Guaranteeing communication
§105 AR 2014
33. Following the visits to Algeciras and Tarifa, the NPM has had to insist
on the need to guarantee that language does not present an obstacle to
fluent communication between the health services and those inmates requiring medical attention. The DGP has reported that it has a national interpretation service contracted through a private company.
Suicide prevention
§106 AR 2014
34. The CIE medical services in Tarifa were not aware of Instruction 2/2014 of the General Headquarters for Immigration and Border Control on suicide prevention. As such, it has been reiterated to the DGP that
this Instruction must be disseminated throughout all CIE.
Injury reports
§71 AR 2014 and study of Injury
reports on people deprived of
their liberty
35. Following the visit to Tarifa, the NPM emphasised to the DGP the
importance of adopting a standard injury report form in accordance with
the Ombudsman’s Recommendations in its study of Injury reports on people deprived of their liberty, and that all medical attention provided in this
regard be communicated to the Magistrate’s Court without going through
Centre Management controls. The DGP has stated that the standard injury
report form has been issued for that purpose to those responsible for
healthcare.
Medical records
§102 and 103 AR 2014
36. Shortcomings were observed in the inmates’ medical records.
These must be adapted as far as possible to the model specified in
Act 41/2002 of November 14th, which regulates Patient Autonomy and
Rights and Duties in relation to clinical information and documentation. It
should be clearly identified when the initial medical examination is carried
out, and details should be included about analyses aimed at detecting the
consumption of toxic substances or the presence of infectious diseases
as early as possible. An electronic standard medical history form should
be introduced with appropriate guarantees around access and identification of persons making entries. The Administration has accepted these
conclusions and has issued appropriate guidelines to ensure they are
complied with.
Video surveillance
§477 AR 2010
§117 AR 2014
37. The video surveillance system in the Tarifa annex facility covers the
hallways, TV room and the reception area of the entrance unit, but does
not cover other communal spaces such as outdoor areas. It therefore does
not meet the NPM criteria of covering all spaces within the centre with the
exception of toilets and cells. In addition, the images captured by some of
the cameras in the Tarifa facility are poor quality. The DGP has agreed to
repair the video surveillance system.
Sports and leisure equipment
§128 AR 2014
38. Both CIE had a shortage of sports and leisure equipment. This
should be renewed periodically since it deteriorates rapidly due to heavy
use. The DGP has acknowledged this shortcoming and has taken the necessary measures to replenish the equipment, taking budgetary considerations into account.
External communication
§126 and 127 AR 2014
39. Regarding external communication by inmates, the Tarifa facilities
still do not allow the use of mobile phones, contrary to NPM criteria. In the
case of inmates lacking the economic resources to use the payphones in
the centres, they are allowed to make one national phone call to inform
their relatives or next of kin of their situation. However, international calls
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