58
detention centers. In that sense, accurate knowledge of the prison inmate population is
vital, for instance, for controlling levels of overcrowding. 203
158.
Proper management of inmate records and files requires that data be
handled systematically and efficiently in each prison and that they be made available to
centralized information systems which can be consulted by the prison administration
authorities looking for reliable data and statistics or trying to locate individual inmates.
Moreover, the State has a duty to act with due diligence in transferring and filing
documents sent by the courts to the detention centers. This is especially important in the
case of judgments, release orders, judicial summonses, and other key documents relating
to prisoners.
159.
In addition to the essential information listed in Principle IX (2) of the
Principles and Best Practices, the IACHR considers it a good practice when the authorities in
charge of penitentiaries also keep records of visits by family members, attorneys, and
monitoring organizations, and even of complaints lodged by the inmates themselves
concerning the correctional authorities. Furthermore, in prisons, it is important to have
precise information on file regarding the location of each inmate, by section, block, and
cell.
160.
To ensure proper maintenance of the roster and filing and handling of the
information on detainees and detention centers, all the authorities involved need to be
adequately trained and provided with the tools and technology required to perform those
functions. In addition, suitable oversight and monitoring mechanisms need to be
developed to ensure compliance with these admission and registration procedures.
161.
Recognizing the importance attached in international human rights law to
the existence and proper administration of detainee records, the recent International
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance contains a
provision whereby the States Parties commit to prevent and impose sanctions for failure to
record the deprivation of liberty of any person or the recording of any information which
the official responsible for the official registry knew or should have known to be inaccurate
(Article 22). This was the first international treaty to contain a safeguard of this kind.
Initial medical exam
162.
The Principles and Best Practices establish
Principle IX (3): All persons deprived of liberty shall be entitled to an
impartial and confidential medical or psychological examination, carried
out by idoneous medical personnel immediately following their
admission to the place of imprisonment or commitment, in order to
verify their state of physical or mental health and the existence of any
mental or physical injury or damage; to ensure the diagnosis and
��
203
I/A Court H. R., Case of Montero Aranguren et al. (Detention Center of Catia) V. Venezuela.
Judgment of July 5, 2006. Series C No. 150, para. 89.
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