Early Sunday morning, a prisoner in Fontcalent prison in Alicante started a fire in his isolation cell, a part of the facility reserved for inmates who are considered the most volatile. The incident occurred after a tense sequence the previous week, when two opposing inmate factions clashed in a confrontation that left five inmates under isolation. The arson involved a mattress and several utensils, generating a thick cloud of smoke that prompted swift action from staff. The union representing prison workers, TAMPM, reported these events and stressed the urgency of improved safety measures at the center.
The remaining inmates were moved to safer areas, a process described by TAMPM as slowed by the persistent tensions between factions established in the weeks prior. The administration coordinated the evacuations, but the union points to ongoing security challenges linked to the recent disturbances, which hindered orderly management of the population inside the facility.
The TAMPM union accuses the fire alarm system of failing to activate automatically and notes that extractors did not engage as expected, creating serious risks for both staff and inmates. Two inmates required medical attention in the infirmary, and a staff member was treated in the emergency department following the incident. According to TAMPM, the quick and professional response of the facility’s workers prevented more serious outcomes.
Concerns over fire safety systems
The union highlights the aging infrastructure and the poor condition of the fire alarm systems as urgent reasons to invest in Fontcalent’s facilities, which have suffered years of neglect. Failures of alarms are not an isolated problem, the union says, and it intends to pursue accountability for these lapses. The union argues that improving working conditions and the resources available to staff not only dignifies the workplace but also makes front-line operations more effective.
Additionally, TAMPM notes that the isolation department is designed for two officers, yet staff shortages mean only a single employee is routinely in charge. This shortage creates a safety gap that the union has warned about for years, underscoring a systemic vulnerability in the prison’s management model.
The association criticizes the recent expansion of Fontcalent’s services—such as the establishment of a Social Insertion Center, a Mothers Unit, and a Penalty Management Service—without a corresponding increase in staffing. The Sunday events reinforce the union’s call for more personnel, arguing that under-resourcing places the health and safety of both inmates and staff at risk.
With gratitude, TAMPM commends the immediate response of the workers who tackled the fire, noting their continued dedication and professionalism. This recognition comes despite concerns about the level of training in fire suppression and personal defense that staff receive, as well as the limited social and institutional recognition afforded to a public-service workforce essential to public safety.