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Council of Europe denounces overcrowding and persistent violence in British prisons

2022-07-07T09:06:29.885Z


Overcrowding, persistent violence and insufficient legal safeguards for patients with psychiatric disorders: the committee of...


Overcrowding, persistent violence and insufficient legal guarantees for patients suffering from psychiatric disorders: the Council of Europe's committee against torture published a harsh report on Thursday 7 July concerning the treatment of people detained in the United Kingdom.

"

The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) is once again concerned about the many cases of serious violence between prisoners (...) and against staff and the lack of a coherent strategy to combat chronic overcrowding

", observes the CPT, one of the organs of the Council of Europe.

During its 13-day visit carried out in June 2021, the CPT further “

found that the vast majority of detainees continued to be locked in cells, with very little activity, for 22 to 23 hours a day since March 2020

”.

Increase in acts of self-harm

The report estimates that the violence would be even greater “

if the detainees were not confined to their cells for most of the day

”.

The CPT's delegation also warns of the lack of experience of prison staff, most of whom "

have never seen establishments operate under normal conditions

", before the pandemic caused by Covid-19, and urges the British authorities to train it better.

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After visiting Bronzefield women's prison in south-west London, observers note deficiencies similar to those seen in the male prison system.

In addition, the number of acts of self-harm in particular has greatly increased there during the pandemic.

The establishment also accommodates women suffering from mental disorders who cannot receive adequate care in a prison environment.

“Use of restrictive practices”

With regard to psychiatric facilities, the report points out that it met there “

many dedicated and hard-working health professionals to care for their patients

”.

However, the CPT recalls that an "

external psychiatric opinion should be immediately sought

" in the event of the patient's opposition to the proposed treatment.

The report is also concerned about "

high levels of use of restrictive practices, including restraint of patients in prone position and cases of long-term isolation

".

Read alsoThe Council of Europe calls on its member countries to repatriate its nationals detained in Syria

In their response, the British authorities highlighted the forthcoming extension of the prison system and made commitments to recruit additional officers, with the aim of providing them with training and appropriate support.

Finally, London evokes a modification of its law on mental health to compensate for the shortcomings highlighted in psychiatric hospitals.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2022-07-07

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