The prison workers union known as “Tu Abandono Me Puede Matar” benefited from a Thursday visit by the Secretary General of Penitentiary Institutions. Angel Luis Ortiz’s presence highlighted the ongoing concerns at Fontcalent Psychiatric Hospital and the nearby Integration Center, reaffirming the call for substantial improvements. A consistent theme across the talks was the need for more staff to ensure safer, more effective operations and patient care.
Ortiz’s stop at Fontcalent Psychiatry marked the close of a mental health course and underscored the union’s claim that the center and the related facilities face persistent shortages. TAMPM views this staffing gap as a direct risk to both staff safety and patient wellbeing, noting that enhanced medical coverage is essential to prevent avoidable incidents and to support daily functions in the facility.
The union also pointed to an aging workforce and a pronounced shortage of cleaning personnel. TAMPM delivered a formal letter reiterating the demand for additional staff and better hygiene conditions throughout the departments, an appeal they repeated during Ortiz’s visit as part of a broader call for sustained investment in the center’s infrastructure and operations.
Psychiatrists and union representatives alike expressed concern about an uncertain future for the center. TAMPM urged Ortiz to gauge the wellbeing of hospital staff and to publicly outline plans for the facility without relying on press disclosures. The union reported that Ortiz confirmed the Siete Aguas headquarters project remained in progress during the visit, signaling ongoing commitment to regional expansion.
The group noted that Angel Luis Ortiz’s visit was anticipated to bring attention to the workers who have carried heavy workloads. They also referenced the retirement of the longtime general manager José Demetrio Monterde, who has led the institution since 2010. TAMPM acknowledged Monterde’s professionalism and dedication throughout nearly a decade of service, while highlighting the need for a smooth transition and continued focus on staff welfare.
Beyond psychiatry, the allied Harmony prison was described as facing its own staffing challenges in areas such as the Management of Alternative Punishments and Measures and the Mothers Unit. The union described an outdated architectural layout that undermines security and called for reforms. They recently requested the Ombudsman to oversee improvements that could help separate the two facilities more effectively and reduce cross-site risks.
The Fontcalent prison was portrayed as bearing a heavy workload and standing among the institutions with the highest volumes of prisoner and family visitation admissions. TAMPM reported that excessive bureaucratic duties for custody staff further strain already limited resources, emphasizing that worker health should be a top priority for the Penitentiary Institutions. Complaints about poorly maintained dressing rooms and dining areas were also highlighted as part of the broader call for healthier work environments.
TAMPM accused the Secretary General of failing to fulfill a prior promise to renew the institution after a five-year term and urged a clear public statement about what occurred at the prison in 2014, including matters in Villena and the 2021 episode involving accusations against staff linked to a dismissed manager and an assistant manager. The statement was presented as a matter of record to ensure transparency and accountability in leadership decisions and ongoing reforms.