The Minister of Justice announced today an urgent audit of the security of Portugal's 49 prisons, following the escape of five inmates from Vale de Judeus prison on Saturday.
“I have ordered the General Inspectorate of Justice Services to urgently begin an audit of the security systems of all 49 prisons in the country. We must have confidence in the equipment, security and surveillance systems,” said Rita Alarcão Júdice at a press conference.
According to the minister, the general inspectorate “is committed to delivering the results of this audit by the end of the year”.
In addition, the minister announced that she had ordered a second management audit of the prison system to assess the organization and allocation of resources of the General Directorate of Reinsertion and Prison Services (DGRSP) and all prison establishments in the country.
“This audit, which will necessarily take longer, will help us make decisions to make better use of resources and to make any necessary changes,” said the minister.
Rita Alarcão Júdice also said that she is awaiting the outcome of other ongoing investigations and the audit process being carried out by the DGRSP audit and inspection service, whose work should be completed within a month.
“I will not hesitate to push forward any disciplinary or criminal proceedings that prove necessary,” he assured.
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