Frederico Morais, President of the National Prison Guard Union in Portugal, has raised concerns about the lack of resources and poor security in Portuguese prisons. The recent escape of five prisoners from Vale dos Judeus prison in Alcoentre prompted the Portuguese Minister of Justice to order urgent audits of the security and management systems at the country’s 49 prisons. Morais criticized the government for not acting sooner, stating that prison guards had warned about the lack of security in Portuguese prisons.
One major security issue at Vale dos Judeus prison is the deactivation of watchtowers due to a shortage of staff. These watchtowers were replaced by a video surveillance system, which is not as effective in monitoring prisoners and detecting unusual activity outside the prison. Morais emphasized the importance of having human guards to secure the periphery of prisons, as the towers have been mostly deactivated nationwide. He called for the reactivation of the towers and for more guards to be stationed within prisons to enhance security.
In addition to the lack of resources, Morais highlighted concerns about prison guards being assigned multiple responsibilities for which they have not received proper training, particularly in the area of social reintegration of prisoners. He emphasized that the prison system in Portugal is lacking in various aspects, including infrastructure, vehicles, and staff. Morais argued that the focus should be on ensuring the security of prisons rather than trying to combine punishment with reintegration, as guards are primarily responsible for security.
The issue of overcrowding in Portuguese prisons further exacerbates the security challenges. Data from 2023 showed that overall prison occupancy rates were above 90%, a level considered high risk. Twenty-four prisons were overcrowded, with some holding more inmates than their capacity. For example, Porto’s prison, with a capacity of 675, housed 872 prisoners in the previous year. The high occupancy rates increase the likelihood of security breaches and escape attempts, posing a serious threat to the safety of both inmates and staff.
In 2023 alone, nine inmates managed to escape from prisons in Portugal, highlighting the weaknesses in the security and management systems. The exact number of escapes in 2024 is not yet known. The repeated incidents of escapes and security breaches underscore the urgent need for upgrades and improvements in the prison system. Morais and the National Prison Guard Union continue to advocate for increased resources, proper training for guards, and better infrastructure to ensure the safety and security of prisons in Portugal.
Overall, the concerns raised by Frederico Morais and the National Prison Guard Union shed light on the pressing issues facing Portuguese prisons, including the lack of resources, overcrowding, inadequate security measures, and the need for proper training of staff. The recent escapes and security breaches have underscored the urgency of addressing these issues to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of inmates and prison staff. The government’s decision to conduct audits of prison security systems is a step in the right direction, but more comprehensive reforms and investments are likely needed to improve the overall security and management of Portuguese prisons.
