At the time of the visitation, there were 494 imprisoned. The average number of inmates has not suffered relevant variations within the past years. The directorate pointed out that the older disciplinary cells were being subject to renovation works, hence temporarily deactivated. Notwithstanding, the four existing disciplinary cells, and the two isolation cells are still located in the basement of the main building. Moreover, there are works being performed at the wing H and at the former regional prison, the latter intending to accommodate inmates pertaining to the open regime or serving small sentences. The works are expected to be concluded within a year. During the visitation to the detention area, reasonable conditions of habitability were attested, despite the differences between the various wings. The consequences of the overcrowding, most severely felt in wing F, are worsened by the structural concentration of the space and inherent difficulty to ascertain the most adequate distribution of the inmates. Furthermore, there are inadequate leisure rooms, aside from the halls of the wings. In particular, there were cells and dormitory-style cells identified only by the number of theirs occupants instead of by the name. The dusty atmosphere induces a perception of insufficient ventilation, even though it was attributed to the mentioned construction works in progress. In what concerns the cells reserved to carrying out concrete disciplinary measures, they were found to be in compliance with the applicable legal standards. Due to its lower level location however, these are expectedly cold, humid and somewhat sombre. The kitchen was equally visited and one meal was tasted, considered to be of sufficient quality. With respect to the therapeutic planning, for the inmates suffering from addictions, it was found to be functioning regularly. In this context, the good cooperation established with the competent public service of the Ministry of Health and Intervention on Addicted Behaviours and Dependencies was emphasized by the directorate. Occasionally, there are interventions related to alcohol abuse, mostly dealt with by the institutions of the National Health Service. Finally, a sample of disciplinary proceedings was analysed. The promptness of the proceedings justifies a positive mention. To sum up, the requalification of the accommodation area should be encouraged, namely in order to guarantee the separation of the inmates according to best practices and, in general, to mitigate the negative effects of the overcrowding. It is of significant importance to ensure that the increment of the number of cells does not correspond to a raising capacity of the establishment. The adoption of more effective measures to prevent the adverse effects of the works in progress is desirable. It is also required the implementation of specific recreation areas for the in-mates, as well as the definitive elimination of the identification of the cell’s occupants by their prison number. • 36 |