Special purpose methods of deprivation of liberty
I.4.3. Hospital Custody Units
136. In 2015 a visit was made to the Hospital Custody Unit (hereafter
UCH) of the Virgen de la Luz Hospital in Cuenca, which is under the authority of the Secretary-General of Prison Institutions (SGIP). It deals with
prisoners who have been admitted for hospital treatment, but is also used
by the Regional Police Headquarters in Cuenca when a detainee requires
hospital care. The hospital building is run by the Castilla-La Mancha Health
Service (SESCAM), with the CNP only exercising functions relating to the
custody of persons admitted.
Visit to the Virgen de la Luz
Hospital UCH in Cuenca
The length of stay in these custody facilities depends on the type of medical care required. This applies both to CP prisoners in Cuenca as well as
to people who have been detained by CNP officers.
137. This was a follow-up visit. The first visit was made on March 29th 2011.
During this time the facilities have not changed, nor have they been modified or refurbished. It is a closed unit on the 5th floor of the Hospital, with
an office for the staff who guard the detainees or prisoners which provides
access to the hallway that links with the 2 existing rooms/cells. At the time
of the visit there were no inmates or detainees.
Follow-up to the visit
made in 2011
§207 and ss AR 2011
Cell in the UCH in Cuenca
138. The facilities are still not equipped with a video surveillance and
recording system. In view of the conclusion put forward by this institution in
that respect, and following the previous visit, the SGIP responded by indicating that the rectification of these shortcomings depends on availability
of budget. Following the visit in 2015 and new communication around this
matter, the response from the SGIP has been the same.
Video surveillance
§477 AR 2010
§209 AR 2011
§79 AR 2014
139. As was the case in 2011, and despite the conclusion put forward at
that time by the NPM, there is still no cupboard for the storage of the
patient’s belongings and clothing. When detainees or prisoners are ad-
Cupboard for storing belongings
§208 AR 2011
89
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents