Places of short-Term Deprivation of Liberty
205. The age of the buildings where these establishments are located varies
Buildings of various ages.
widely, with some being over 35 years old (e.g. the local police station in Palma de
Acceptable standards of
Mallorca (Balearic Islands)) and others being of more recent construction
(e.g. the station in Haro (La Rioja), built just 7 years ago). The standard of
conservation except in
Lebrija and Marchena
(Seville))
conservation was found to be acceptable in general, except for the local police
stations in Lebrija and Marchena (Seville).
206. The ventilation and temperature conditions in the cells were acceptable at
Ventilation, temperature &
most of the establishments visited, as was the lighting, though it was exclusively
lighting conditions
artificial. Shortcomings in terms of temperature and lighting need to be remedied
in Calahorra (La Rioja), Lebrija and Marchena (Seville) and Palma de Mallorca
(Balearic Islands). Problems with areas used by personnel were detected in Lebrija
satisfactory. Improvements
are needed in personnel
areas in Lebrija and
Marchena
and Marchena, where the officers stationed have repeatedly requested the
refurbishment and upgrading of the facilities.
207. At almost all the establishments visited the custody areas are located on
Custody areas are on the
the ground floor or in the basement, with direct access from the underground
grounds floor or in the
garage. In Lebrija and Marchena (Seville), detainees are taken to the cells via
the main door of the Town Hall. This procedure must be discontinued for the
basement, with direct
access from the garage
sake of general safety and security and to safeguard the privacy of detainees.
208. At some of the establishments visited there were offices next to the cells,
Most cells are for single
used to monitor detainees, conduct searches and make entries in records. In most
occupancy, and have built
cases the cells themselves are for single occupancy, and have built-in plinths that
in plinths that serve as beds
serve as beds. Doors are usually made of metal plate, with an observation hatch,
though at the establishment in Palma de Mallorca (Balearic Islands) the doors
had vertical and horizontal bars, which should be replaced to forestall attempts by
detainees to injure themselves.
209. Single-occupancy and collective cells alike were found to meet the criteria
Cells were found to be large
established in regard to size, as per paragraph 49 above. It was observed that these
enough
holding areas were not extensively used, so compliance with criteria on separation
seems unlikely to pose any problems.
210. In most of the establishments visited the cell area is cleaned every day and
Daily cleaning & regular
disinfected at regular intervals or whenever circumstances require. However on
disinfection, but on the
the days of the inspection visits the cells at the stations in Calahorra (La Rioja)
— where there was a strong smell of urine —, Lebrija and Marchena (Seville)
were found to be dirty. Accordingly, it was requested that the necessary measures
inspection visits the cells in
Calahorra (La Rioja), Lebrija
& Marchena (Seville) were
dirty
be taken to improve cleanliness at these facilities.
211. The situation as regards CCTV surveillance varied considerably across the
The situation as regards
CCTV surveillance varies
10 establishments visited. In Santander (Cantabria) and Marchena (Seville) no
widely. A standard for CCTV
cameras were observed inside the facilities. At the Local Police Superintendents’
surveillance and recording
THE OMBUDSMAN OF SPAIN
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