Police knocked for failure  to take prisoner to medical appointments

A judge has dressed down the National Police, for violating the right to transfer to medical appointments, of a person behind bars.

In a hearing affecting rights held at the facilities of the Chiriquí Criminal Accusatory System, compliance judge Blanca Páez ruled in favor of prisoners whose right to transfer to five medical appointments in 2022 was violated by the National Police.

The compliance judge,  on December 21,  ruled that the lack of budget, equipment, or personnel is not an excuse for violating the right transfer to medical appointments of prisoners.

He referred to the 100 Rules of Brasilia, as well as Mandela’s laws and the National Constitution, to defend the rights of detainees because they are vulnerable people who depend on the State and it is necessary to comply with the commissions of health.

The affected person is serving a sentence of 86 months for international trafficking in illicit substances. According to the Judicial Branch, there are seven other prisoners who have not been able to attend their medical appointments for the same reason.

The judge added that the National Police of the Fourth Zone does not comply with its mission for external security or to attend medical appointments, violating the rights of detainees.

The judge ordered the Penitentiary System and the National Police to manage the timely transfer of those deprived of liberty to attend medical appointments, and urged the National Police, if they are unable to comply with the duty, to maintain better communication with the authorities of the Chiriquí Penitentiary Center, opportunely and correct these situations.