The president of the prison guards’ union, Frederico Morais, reported a recent incident at the Ponta Delgada prison where a guard on leave witnessed an individual throwing a package, allegedly containing drugs, over the prison wall. The police were notified, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Morais explained that this problem persists at the Ponta Delgada facility because authorities have ignored the union’s repeated warnings to secure the prison yards to prevent such breaches and potential inmate escapes.
He highlighted that last year, there were three attempted escapes from the Ponta Delgada prison yard alone.
Morais noted progress in finally closing down the overcrowded and inadequate “South America” dormitory, a process that took over two years.
In another incident at the Angra do Heroísmo facility, a prisoner recently suffered severe injuries after setting fire to his cell. This inmate, after receiving hospital treatment, was isolated without a mattress and required urgent medical attention due to respiratory issues.
“We are not equipped to manage psychiatric patients within our prisons. We are not doctors. Such inmates should be cared for in specialized clinics,” Morais stated, calling for a thorough inspection of the Angra do Heroísmo prison.
Morais also raised concerns over male guards overseeing the female ward at the Angra facility, a significant issue already reported to the Director-General of Reintegration and Prison Services.
The ongoing lack of resources and conditions at these two Azores prisons not only compromises guard work but also affects their safety and numbers, Morais warned.
The request for comment from the Directorate-General for Reintegration and Prison Services remains unanswered as of this report.
