The basement of section «F» presents the better conditions. Due to a more favourable solar orientation, the cells show no significant humidity, are warmer and brighter. The
cells have functioning lamp switches and the light is centrally switched off at 22:00pm.
In general terms, the interviewed inmates complained about the cold and explained
that the two blankets provided to each inmate are insufficient during the winter period.
One note on the fact that in many cells cords are used for drying clothes, what may
raise some raises concern in terms of safety.
•
Visit no. 47-2015
Date: 2015.12.22
Location: Estabelecimento Prisional do Montijo [Montijo’s Prison Facility] (Setúbal)
Subject: Detention conditions. Overcrowding´s consequences. Access to sanitary
facilities and shower room
On December 23rd, in the morning period, it was carried out a visit to the Prison Facility
of Montijo.
For a capacity of 140 places, 182 persons were present (30% of overcrowding), of
which only 20 (11%) were in remand detention. The comparatively low occupancy and
the changes in the characteristics of the juridical situation of the population (previously
with a higher proportion of preventive inmates) were attributed to the reform of the judiciary system. The increase in the proportion of sentenced persons allowed a greater investment in education, in collaboration with a local school, now operating two middle school
classes. 70 persons were currently attending those classes.
Concerning labour occupation, 80 persons were doing cleaning functions, 30 persons
in a component assembly workshop and others five were in a coffee machines repair’s
workshop. Two of them were working outside of the facility, in the framework of a cooperation protocol established with the Municipality of Barreiro. The workshop of coffee
machines repair was installed by their maker, which also trained and properly certified
the workers.
A joint project, with the Professional School of Montijo, was reported to be in preparation, leading to the setup of two different workshops, one of gardening and floriculture
and, the other, of air conditioning and freeze. In addition to the theoretical training, the
project includes the completion of traineeships in a professional environment, foreseeing
the creation, in each case, of six new jobs. Although the protocol is already authorized and
the expenditure due by the penitentiary system provided, the actual implementation of
the project has been delayed in the central services of the General Directorate of Prisons.
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