having to pay for it.
60.The report also calls for improvements in minimum material conditions and health-care systems, medicines and food.
61.With the support of experts from AECID, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Human Rights has developed five guideline papers
as part of the prison reform process. The reform proposal is currently being studied with a view to its approval and implementation.
These papers address the following: (1) advisory services concerning new prison construction and the renovation of existing prisons;
(2) recruitment of human resources; (3) training of human resources; (4) technical assistance in designing a prison health system; and
(5) technical assistance in designing a system of intervention or treatment. The above-mentioned guideline papers may be found in the
annex to the present document.
Paragraph 286
62.In terms of the human resources assigned to the various prisons, it may be noted that, as of 15 August 2008, the total number of
persons deprived of their liberty was 5,893, while the total number of staff members was 989 (805 permanent and 184 contractual
staff). This works out to a ratio of 1 staff member for every 6 inmates.
63.As of November 2009, the number of persons deprived of their liberty was 6,252, and the number of staff members totalled
1,160 (937 permanent and 223 contractual staff) for a ratio of 1 staff member for every 5 inmates.
Paragraphs 287 to 295
64.Resolution No. 9 of July 2009 of the Ministry of Justice and Labour (DGRRHH No. 157/2009) establishes provisions concerning
services to be provided by medical professionals, other specialists and nurses with various specializations who are assigned to prison
units, women’s correctional facilities, educational facilities for adolescent offenders and children’s homes that are under the purview of
the Ministry of Justice and Labour. The resolution provides for an increase in working hours up to a maximum of 40 hours a week,
depending on need, and the submission of monthly reports on the provision of health-care services by the units under its
responsibility.
65.The 2009–2010 budget of the Ministry of Justice and Labour provides for the purchase of medicines on the basis of diagnoses
made of 65 per cent of inmates. The budget estimates for purchases of medical supplies for the current year were based on the data
compiled earlier. The bidding process is currently under way, in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 2051 on public tenders.
66.When the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 flu pandemic, in view of the danger of contagion within prisons, the
medicines needed to treat that disease were purchased, and a preventive and treatment protocol for suspected cases was developed
and implemented. Ultimately, however, there were no diagnosed cases of H1N1 and, consequently, no related deaths (see annex 2:
Ministry of Justice and Labour).
67.A health promotion system, managed by inmates trained for the purpose, has been set up in the Tacumbú National Prison.
Training was imparted to 83 inmates enrolled in a personal development course covering basic first aid and basic psychology. The
first phase of the course began in April and ended on 29 July 2009, and the attending inmates were issued course completion cards.
68.The second phase of the personal development course, which included other inmates who had been selected on the basis of their
profile, went into greater depth concerning basic first aid and basic psychology. The second phase ended in December 2009. The
objective of the health promotion system is to promote early diagnosis of illnesses, encourage inmates to seek medical treatment and
impart basic medical knowledge. Following inmates’ completion of their sentences, the fact that they have acquired this knowledge
will boost their self-esteem and thus facilitate their social reintegration.
69.Paraguay’s Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) initiative for dealing with cases of tuberculosis among the prison population
was classified as a Category 2 proposal and awarded a US$ 3,900,000 grant by the Global Fund in its ninth round of funding. The
project provides for the strict monitoring of patients with HIV/AIDS, since their depressed immune systems heighten their
susceptibility to tuberculosis (see annex 2: Ministry of Labour and Justice).
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70.After one year under the direction of the new Minister of Justice and Labour and the senior officials who assist him, the first phase
of the new Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Prison, which had remained unfinished for 12 years, has been successfully completed and
outfitted. The shutting down of the unfortunately named gallinero (chicken coop), which for so long was the seat of the Amambay
Prison, brings to a close a chapter of human rights failures.
71.The Government of Paraguay plans to invest PYG 2,366,710,950 in the construction of the second stage of the prison facilities,
work having commenced on 7 December 2009. These works include the construction of the infirmary, kitchen, visiting area, intake
area, workshops and second floor of the B wing, which has a holding capacity of 100 persons and increases the total capacity of the
prison to 380 inmates.
72.The new prison is located on an 11-hectare plot and consists of a central block, 3 wings and 103 cells having a holding capacity
of approximately 300 inmates (see annex 1: CD video showing transfer of inmates to Pedro Juan Caballero).
73.Prisoners are separated into sectors and wings. Female inmates are housed in the front part of the facility and are separated from
male inmates by a physical structure. Adolescents deprived of their liberty in Pedro Juan Caballero are housed in a wing separate
from adult inmates. Attention is drawn to the fact that the two adolescents currently being held in this prison will be transferred to a
nearby educational facility in Concepción. The new prison centre offers improved conditions in terms of space and infrastructure.