Prison workers sign manifesto against security management in penitentiary centers

More than half of the staff in Catalan prisons have signed a manifesto criticizing the management of penitentiary centers and calling for increased security. Around 2,700 signatures were delivered to the current governing party in Catalonia, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya.

A representation of prison workers went to ERC's headquarters in Barcelona to handle the manifesto.

There are around 5,000 prison workers in Catalonia.

The manifesto explains the "anger and worries" employees suffer in prison because of the "current situation," as attacks from prisoners to workers have increased in recent years. 

Workers also mention the death of a cook, which took place in March in the Mas d'Enric prison. They consider that after such an event, authorities would have had to take on their responsibilities.

Staff showed their disagreement with current management and criticized it, and urged authorities to increase security in the penitentiary centers.

"The current government is completely unqualified and unable, they have no idea how to manage the prisons," Gabriel, one of the prison workers speaking in front of ERC's headquarters, said on Wednesday.

Workers started to ask for signatures after ERC president Oriol Junqueras said in late March that most of the penitentiary centers' staff were in favor of the Catalan system.