Spanish prison unions report severe medical staff shortages

The prison union ACAIP-UGT has issued a warning regarding critical shortages of medical personnel in Spanish penitentiary centers, specifically highlighting the prisons in Jaén and Albolote.

In Jaén, the union reports a doctor deficit exceeding 70%, with only three physicians available to serve 570 inmates, whereas six are required. In Albolote, the deficit is over 65%, with four doctors managing a population of 1,300 inmates.

The union notes that approximately 30% of the prison population suffers from mental health pathologies or requires psychotropic medication. They argue that the lack of staff prevents early diagnosis during intake, often resulting in mental health issues being identified only reactively following self-harm, aggression, or serious altercations. This shortage is said to jeopardize both inmate health and the physical safety of prison staff, who must manage psychiatric crises without specialized clinical training.