A lack of resources in Portuguese prisons has led to poor security measures, according to Frederico Morais, President of the National Prison Guard Union. The escape of five prisoners from Vale dos Judeus prison in Alcoentre on 7 September prompted the Portuguese Minister of Justice to announce urgent audits of the security and management systems at all 49 prisons in the country. However, prison guards feel that this investigation comes too late, as they have been warning about the lack of security for a long time.
One major security issue highlighted by Morais is the deactivation of watchtowers in prisons due to a shortage of staff. These watchtowers not only monitored prisoners but also played a crucial role in detecting any unusual activities outside the prison. Morais emphasizes the importance of human presence in securing the periphery of the prisons and suggests reactivating the deactivated watchtowers to enhance security measures. He believes that guards need to be present inside the prisons to monitor and maintain order effectively.
In addition to the lack of resources, prison guards in Portugal are also facing challenges with multiple responsibilities for which they have not been adequately trained. One such responsibility is the social reintegration of prisoners, a task that guards feel should not be their primary focus. Morais asserts that the primary role of prison guards should be to ensure the security of the prisons and not to handle the complex issue of prisoner reintegration into society. He calls for a clearer distinction between the security forces and the reintegration process.
The issue of overcrowding in Portuguese prisons exacerbates the security concerns raised by prison guards. Data from 2023 shows that overall prison occupancy in the country is above 90%, a level considered high risk. With 24 prisons surpassing their capacity limits, overcrowding has become a significant problem. For example, Porto’s prison, with a capacity of 675 inmates, hosted 872 prisoners last year. Such overcrowding not only poses security risks but also hampers efforts to effectively manage and rehabilitate prisoners.
Escapes from Portuguese prisons have been a recurring issue, with nine inmates reportedly escaping in 2023 alone. Despite these incidents, there is limited data available on the number of escapes in 2024. The lack of resources, overcrowding, and inadequate training for prison guards are all contributing factors to the security challenges faced by the Portuguese prison system. The President of the National Prison Guard Union emphasizes the urgent need for reforms and increased resources to address these issues and ensure the safety and security of both guards and prisoners.
