The Parliament of the Canary Islands has received a high-voltage proposal driven by deputy Vidina Espino, focused on the alarming precariousness of the penitentiary centers in the islands. The document describes a scenario of ‘permanent tensions’ and physical risks for officials who operate in a complex context without the legal backing of being considered authority figures. For Coalición Canaria, this lack is not only a matter of status but a security gap that hinders personnel defense against assaults or acts of disobedience. However, the real ‘battle horse’ of this PNL is the economic suffocation of the staff. The compensation for residence in the Canary Islands has not been updated for over 18 years, a figure that sharply contrasts with the rising cost of living in the archipelago and is inconsistent with increases applied to other state bodies. This wage freeze is causing constant turnover: officials arrive from the mainland and, after a brief period, flee to better-paid destinations, preventing the consolidation of veteran teams and weakening the operation of the centers. Collapse in the cells: the case of Las Palmas II and Tenerife II The situation of human resources is especially critical at the Las Palmas II Penitentiary Center. Since its opening, the inmate population has increased from 612 to 904 individuals (a 150% increase), while the staff has remained stagnant at 334 officials. This overload not only affects surveillance but directly compromises social reintegration programs and the safety of the inmates themselves. Meanwhile, the Tenerife II center faces structural deterioration that CC describes as ‘of special gravity.’ Staff report that promises of comprehensive reform have been systematically postponed; in fact, after assuring that construction would begin in early 2025, the latest official commitment has delayed it until the end of 2026. In light of this mistrust, the PNL demands a ‘firm and written’ commitment for a total replacement of the modules or, failing that, the construction of a new prison. Health and transfers: the limbo of rights Currently, judicial and medical transfers of prisoners depend on the availability of the Civil Guard, resulting in repeated suspensions of essential medical consultations and surgical interventions. The parliamentary initiative urges the creation of a stable transport system equipped with specific personnel to prevent the health of inmates from depending on the agenda of other security bodies. In conclusion, this PNL presented on January 23, 2026, aims to force the Spanish Government to recognize the Canary Islands’ uniqueness in matters of public safety. It is not just about money, but about preventing the Canary prisons from becoming warehouses of inmates managed by unstable and exhausted staff.
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