CPT/Inf (96) 31 Report to the Portuguese Government on the visit to Portugal carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 14 to 26 May 1995 The Portuguese Government has requested the publication of this report and of its interim report in response. The interim report of the Portuguese Government is set out in document CPT/Inf (96) 32. Strasbourg, 21 November 1996 - 2 - TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Copy of the letter transmitting the CPT's report...................................................................................5 I. INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................6 A. Dates of the visit and composition of the delegation ..............................................................6 B. Establishments visited...............................................................................................................7 C. Consultations held by the delegation.......................................................................................8 D. Co-operation between the CPT and the Portuguese authorities ..........................................8 II. FACTS FOUND DURING THE VISIT AND ACTION PROPOSED ..............................10 A. Police establishments ..............................................................................................................10 1. General information.........................................................................................................10 2. Torture and other forms of ill-treatment..........................................................................10 a. introduction ............................................................................................................10 b. Public Security Police ............................................................................................11 c. National Republican Guard....................................................................................13 d. Judicial Police ........................................................................................................14 e. assessment and proposals for further action...........................................................15 3. Material conditions of detention......................................................................................17 4. Safeguards against the ill-treatment of detained persons ................................................21 a. introduction ............................................................................................................21 b. notification of custody............................................................................................22 c. access to a lawyer...................................................................................................22 d. access to a doctor ...................................................................................................23 e. information on rights..............................................................................................24 f. conduct of interrogations........................................................................................25 g. custody registers.....................................................................................................26 h. inspection procedures.............................................................................................26 i. return to police custody for further questioning of persons held in prison ............27 - 3 - B. Prisons ......................................................................................................................................28 1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................28 2. Torture and other forms of ill-treatment..........................................................................28 3. Conditions of detention ...................................................................................................29 a. follow-up visits.......................................................................................................29 i. Lisbon Judicial Police Prison.......................................................................29 ii. Linhó Prison .................................................................................................30 b. Oporto Judicial Police Prison.................................................................................31 c. Oporto Prison .........................................................................................................33 d. assessment and proposals for further action...........................................................34 4. Health care services .........................................................................................................37 a. staff and facilities in the prisons visited.................................................................37 b. medical screening on reception..............................................................................39 c. the role of prison health care services in the prevention of ill-treatment...............41 d. health care provided to prisoners ...........................................................................42 e. San João de Deus Prison Hospital at Caxias..........................................................43 f. further remarks .......................................................................................................43 5. Other issues related to the CPT's mandate.......................................................................45 a. solitary confinement...............................................................................................45 b. discipline ................................................................................................................47 c. complaints and inspection procedures ...................................................................48 d. contact with the outside world ...............................................................................48 e. call systems ............................................................................................................49 f. carrying of firearms in direct contact with prisoners .............................................49 C. Detention centres for minors..................................................................................................50 1. Introduction .....................................................................................................................50 2. Ill-treatment of detained minors ......................................................................................50 3. Conditions of detention ...................................................................................................51 4. Discipline.........................................................................................................................53 5. Medical issues..................................................................................................................54 - 4 - III. RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................55 A. Police establishments ..............................................................................................................55 B. Prisons ......................................................................................................................................57 C. Detention centres for minors..................................................................................................59 D. Action on the CPT's recommendations, comments and requests for information ...........60 APPENDIX I : SUMMARY OF THE CPT'S RECOMMENDATIONS, COMMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION .......................................................61 APPENDIX II : LIST OF THE NATIONAL AUTHORITIES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WITH WHICH THE DELEGATION HELD CONSULTATIONS.........................................73 - 5 - Copy of the letter transmitting the CPT's report Strasbourg, 20 December 1995 Dear Mr. Caetano da Silva, In pursuance of Article 10, paragraph 1, of the European Convention for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, I have the honour to enclose herewith the report to the Government of Portugal drawn up by the European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (CPT) after its visit to Portugal from 14 to 26 May 1995. The report was adopted by the CPT at its twenty-seventh meeting, held from 4 to 7 December 1995. I would draw your attention in particular to paragraph 188 of the report, in which the CPT requests the Portuguese authorities to provide an interim and a follow-up report on action taken upon its report. The CPT would be grateful if it were possible, in the event of the reports forwarded being in Portuguese, for them to be accompanied by an English or French translation. I am at your entire disposal if you have any questions concerning either the CPT's report or the future procedure. Finally, I would be grateful if you could acknowledge receipt of this letter. Yours faithfully, Claude NICOLAY President of the European Committee for the prevention of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Mr João José Gomes Caetano da Silva Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros