The new prison facility in Angra do Heroísmo poses important challenges to the ward of the prison: from November 2013, there is no transfer of inmates to prison facilities in the mainland. Since the pre-established criteria to inmates transfer had to do with the length of the condemnation, some of the inmates currently serving time in Ponta Delgada have longer sentences than others imprisoned in the mainland, that resulting in an increased stress to the prison management and in fostering a feeling of injustice amongst the inmates and families. The following criteria concerning the inmates separation were mentioned: those serving time under a free days imprisonment sentence are lodged in cells located in what used to be part of the women’s quarters. Those inmates under an open prison regime within a secure perimeter (“regime aberto no interior”) are lodged in a former carpentry; there also live those who have been indicted or already sentenced because of child abuse charges; young adults are also placed there. This prison facility does not allow for the separation of first offenders and habitual delinquents nor of preventive from sentenced prisoners The food was tasted by the Portuguese Ombudsman. Its quality and presentation was good both in its main ingredients as in its accompaniments; it is possible to repeat the accompaniments. The meals are prepared at the prison facility; the ingredients are bought locally, though the possibility that the contractor might ensure that is being discussed. All in all the contracted requirements were fulfilled; in spite of that, the meal that was presented was not the one mentioned in the predefined menu. • Visit no. 17-2014 Date: 2014.11.14 Location: Public Security Police Headquarters in Ponta Delgada, in the Autonomous Region of Azores Subject: Working conditions of the police officers, in particular those displaced; Detention conditions in terms of lighting, insulation against cold or heat and air circulation; Compliance with legal and regulatory standards of compulsory in-patient care On November 14th a visit was conducted to Ponta Delgada Police Station, in São Miguel Island, Autonomous Region of the Azores. The visit was intended to verify the working conditions of staff, in particular the displaced police officers; the conditions of detention areas, in terms of lighting, insulation against cold and heat and, also, the compulsory in-patient care. As it concerns the compulsory in-patient care, the Ombudsman verified that there is no misperception about the procedure of driving mentally disturbed citizens to medical treatment, even when it becomes necessary to keep these citizens at the Police Station. 28 |