5
d)
sanitary conditions were improved. Consulting rooms, supply of
medication, and lab tests were also improved. The services of three dentists
and a clinical psychologist were incorporated to the medical department;
e)
electric lighting, sewage disposal, and drinking water treatment and
distribution were improved, and washbasins and water closets were installed;
f)
a warehouse for the treatment of wastes in the block known as “maquila”
was built;
g)
steps were taken in order to reduce overcrowding in the cell blocks of Dr.
Marco Aurelio Soto National Penitentiary holding the highest number of
inmates;
h)
163 new penitentiary officers were appointed, after a six-month training
at the Penitentiary Training Center, where they took courses on Human Rights,
legislation, human relations, minimum standards for treatment of inmates, and
specific security aspects. A general training and update program on the
application and respect of human rights of inmates was implemented for all
employees and agents of the national penitentiary system; and
i)
an instrument for the classification of inmates was drawn up with the
support of the Argentine White Helmets (Cascos Blancos) humanitarian aid
organization.
18.
That the representatives, in their first observations, pointed out that the State
had not submitted information about compliance with operative paragraph 9 and added
that said information was essential to ensure compliance with Judgment and prevent
violations such as those suffered by Alfredo López-Álvarez from happening again in the
future to the detriment of other persons. In their observations of October 11, 2007,
(supra Having Seen 3) the representatives stated, inter alia, that:
a)
the State has 24 penitentiary centers which can hold 8,280 inmates and
where, by late 2005, 11,545 inmates were held, which reflects a 109%
overcrowding. They added that, according to information given by the Office
for the National Coordination of Judicial Enforcement Courts (Coordinadora
Nacional de Jueces de Ejecución), in September 2007 there were approximately
11,129 inmates, whereby “[…] considering the accommodation capacity of
prison facilities […] and the above information, it [was] to be assumed that
overcrowding conditions persist[ed];”
b)
as to the information submitted by the State regarding the budgetary
increase to 12 lempiras allocated to food supply per inmate, they pointed out
that, according to the Central Bank of Honduras, a US$ dollar was equivalent to
10,03 lempiras, whereby the increase in the daily amount allocated for food
supply per inmate was not sufficient “[…] so that inmates could have an
adequate diet.” They added that in its report, the State did neither refer to the
time allowed for meals nor to the amount of food for each person,
notwithstanding which it was evident that the amount of 12 daily lempiras was
not enough to conclude that inmates were given an adequate diet;
c)
as to medical care, they pointed out that not all inmates had access to
medical consultation or to receive medication in due time. They concluded that