Annual Report 2010 by the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture
11 establishments
121. As detailed in Table 4 and paragraph 32 of this report, 11 Ertzaintza-run
with holding cells were
establishments with holding cells were visited. They included the Territorial
visited in 2010
Headquarters of the Anti-terrorist and Information Division in Arcaute (Alava)
at a time when two detainees were being held there incommunicado. The
establishments visited account for 66.75% of the arrests by the Ertzaintza in
2010 that resulted in detainees being held in cells. It was found that detainees
were held for an average time of between 12 and 24 hours.
Graphic 8: Ertzaintza-run
places of deprivation of
Graphic 8. Geographical location of the Ertzaintza-run places of
deprivation of liberty visited in 2010
liberty visited
Establishments built
122. Almost all the establishments visited were built in the 1990s and are in
in the 1990s and in
good condition. The holding areas are usually in the basements, with direct access
good condition. Holding
areas are usually in the
basement
from the outdoor or underground parking areas, thus making movement through
police establishments more secure and also protecting the privacy of detainees.
The work areas of the staff in charge of guarding and dealing with detainees were
also found to be satisfactory and the standard of conservation and cleanliness was
good.
Cells with polished cement
123. Cell walls are all of polished, painted cement, with built-in plinths that
walls, metal doors with
serve as beds. The doors are mostly metal, with an observation hatch, though in
glazed openings. Large
enough
some larger cells (for collective occupancy) observed at the stations in Erandio,
Getxo and Sestao (Vizcaya) and in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Alava) vertical bars protected
with vandal-proof glass were observed. It was reported that these cells were used
76
THE OMBUDSMAN OF SPAIN
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