Civil Guards Call for Improved Security During Prisoner Transfers from Tahíche Prison
Civil Guard representatives in the Canary Islands are calling for urgent improvements to security arrangements when inmates from Tahíche Prison in Lanzarote are taken to hospitals for medical treatment.
The Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) says officers are currently having to supervise prisoners in public hospital corridors and waiting areas, creating potential safety risks for officers, hospital staff, patients and visitors. The organisation has renewed its appeal to the Canary Islands Health Service after stating that concerns raised several months ago have yet to receive a formal response.
Why the Civil Guards Are Concerned
According to the AUGC, prisoners transported from correctional facilities in Tahíche, Gran Canaria and Tenerife often have to wait for appointments in areas that are not designed for secure custody.
The association argues that this increases the risk of escape attempts and makes it more difficult for officers to safely carry out their duties while members of the public continue to use the same hospital facilities.
Calls for Dedicated Secure Areas
The organisation is asking the Canary Islands Government to create dedicated secure custody rooms inside hospitals across the archipelago. These areas would allow inmates awaiting treatment to remain separated from the general public while still receiving medical care.
The AUGC also wants existing national security guidance relating to prisoner escorts to be followed more consistently, including prioritising appointments where appropriate to reduce the amount of time prisoners spend in public areas.
Previous Concerns at Tahíche Prison
This is not the first time the association has highlighted concerns involving prisoner transport from Tahíche Prison.
Over recent years, the AUGC has also raised issues relating to prisoner transfers between Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, as well as other custody procedures, saying improvements are needed to better protect both officers and the public.
Prison Healthcare Under Discussion
Another issue highlighted by the association is the long-delayed transfer of prison healthcare responsibilities to the Canary Islands’ regional health service.
The AUGC believes completing this process could reduce the number of hospital escorts required by allowing more healthcare services to be delivered within the prison system itself, while also improving access to treatment for inmates.
What This Means for Lanzarote Residents
For most residents and visitors, the issue is unlikely to have any direct impact on day-to-day hospital services. However, the debate has highlighted the operational challenges faced by emergency services, healthcare staff and Civil Guard officers when balancing public safety with the legal requirement to provide medical treatment to prisoners.
Whether the Canary Islands Government introduces dedicated secure hospital facilities remains to be seen, but the association says it believes such measures would improve safety for everyone involved.
