The union section of Acaip-UGT has denounced a new episode of violence in the Tahíche Penitentiary Center, which they claim has resulted in three injured officials. According to the union, the “serious incidents” occurred on Wednesday afternoon, in the isolation module.
One of the inmates was admitted there “for causing other incidents”, but in the afternoon he went out to make a video call and was in contact with inmates from another department. Upon his return to isolation, according to the union, he was informed that he was going to be searched, “in case he was carrying any prohibited object.” At that moment, they claim that he began “to punch and kick both the head of services and two officials,” and that when he was finally reduced, he threatened to kill “all the workers present, as well as their families.”
“As a consequence of these events, three officials are beaten and have to be treated in the center's infirmary in a first examination, suffering numerous bruises and injuries in different parts of the body,” says Acaip-UGT.
In addition, they emphasize that he is an “especially conflictive” inmate and again denounce that the Lanzarote prison is not prepared “architecturally, humanly or materially” to receive this type of prisoner who is transferred from other islands. In this case, the inmate came from Tenerife and in September he had been referred to another center “after causing various incidents”, but he returned to Lanzarote last February.
For Acaip-UGT, “it is necessary to provide workers with the necessary training to face these violent situations and adequate psychological support when verbal and physical attacks occur.”
In addition, they recall that “one of the historical demands of prison workers is the consideration of agents of authority, an essential measure to provide legal weapons to a very punished group, so that any violent attitude has criminal and not only administrative repercussions.”
Finally, they point out that “it is essential that these aspects, together with the salary and labor improvements, are reflected in the Penitentiary Public Function Law, which urgently needs to be brought forward after more than 4 years of collective conflict.”
