Several alarming incidents have occurred in recent months at the Sevilla II correctional facility in Morón de la Frontera. In July, one of the seven female psychologists narrowly escaped becoming a victim of sexual assault by an inmate. Her colleagues rescued her after hearing her screams. In August, another staff member was attacked by an inmate suffering from mental disorders. That same inmate later harassed a psychologist again during a consultation.
The team of psychologists, most of whom are women, has appealed to prison authorities demanding stronger security measures and more staff. They say they are frequently required to work with inmates in severely unstable mental states, which poses a constant risk to their safety and lives.
In response to these complaints, the prison administration stated that staffing levels are at over 87% and the facility is less than 66% full. However, staff insist this is not enough, especially given the high number of inmates with severe mental illnesses. The facility lacks specialized spaces for psychiatric care, and a psychiatrist visits the prison only a few times a month.
Safety issues and lack of resources
After a series of incidents, the Ministry of the Interior recommended installing panic buttons in offices and rearranging furniture so that staff can quickly exit the premises in case of danger. It was also suggested to equip doors with peepholes and ensure they open outward. Despite these measures, employees note that problems remain unresolved: there is still a lack of security in the corridors, and the number of specialists does not meet real needs.
Psychologists emphasize that there is a significant number of inmates with severe mental disorders in prison, but Spain has only two specialized psychiatric units, and there aren’t enough places in them. As a result, many inmates with serious diagnoses are left without the necessary care, worsening their condition and increasing the risk of aggression.
Rising tensions and staff demands
The situation is further complicated by the fact that inmates from other facilities under renovation are regularly transferred to Sevilla II. This leads to a concentration of people with conflict-prone behavior and high levels of frustration. According to staff, many of these inmates are uprooted from their familiar environment, which only adds to the tension inside the facility.
Psychologists are calling for the creation of fully equipped psychiatric wards with permanent specialist staffing, as well as an increased number of guards in areas where consultations take place. They argue that the current system fails to provide adequate protection for either staff or inmates with mental health disorders.
In response to staff appeals, prison authorities promised to review their approach to working with inmates suffering from mental illnesses and stated that staffing levels are under review. However, employees insist that unless conditions change, the risk to the life and health of personnel will remain high.
