More than fifty staff members from the Tenerife II prison Tenerife gathered on Monday in protest against the ongoing and prolonged water supply cuts that have been impacting the facility for several weeks. Staff and inmates have access to water only between 7:00 to 9:00, 13:00 to 15:00, and 19:00 to 21:00 hours each day.

Workers Call for Action

The demonstration is “yet another measure” taken by the workers, explained Nacho Fernández, coordinator of the union, Tu Abandono Me Puede Matar (Tampm), who stated that the situation puts “our safety at risk.” He added that the persistent water cuts lasting 13 hours also compromise their dignity.

Health Concerns Raised

Prison staff emphasise that at this facility “we have no water for washing or our basic needs.” From their perspective, the ongoing issue contributes to a public health problem. This situation also affects inmates in an environment where temperatures can reach 35 degrees.

Logistical Challenges

Inmates receive water through tankers transporting it to Tenerife II. The island coordinator for Tu Abandono Me Puede Matar, the leading union in the sector, argues that “it is not a solution.” He believes a more sustainable approach would involve larger cisterns (currently, they have one of 500 cubic metres) and direct supply, rather than through the municipal network of El Rosario. “That project has a cost, but it is not a priority for the Prison Institutions,” noted Nacho Fernández.

Previous Incidents Exacerbate the Issue

During the fire that affected 12 municipalities on the island in 2023, the prison experienced a severe water shortage due to the breakage of supply channels. Nothing has changed since then to prevent a recurrence of the problem, it was asserted.

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