DOUBLE PUNISHMENT

The perception was shared by “Julien,” a man detained in a prison, “The UCSA [the
medical unit] is good for some prisoners but their aim is to knock us down like trees, to
give us medicines to sleep all day,” he said. 131
Speaking of medicines to treat mental health conditions in prison former Inspector of
Prisons Jean-Marie Delarue said that “in general, there is an overprescription of medicines
by those who prescribe them.” 132
François Bès, coordinator at the International Observatory of Prisons (OIP) in Paris, told
Human Rights Watch that the OIP received complaints from families about the apparently
excessive medication of their loved ones. “[For example,] they say they saw him during a
visit and that ‘“he’s a ghost.’” […] Given the lack of medical staff, it’s easier to give out
[prescribe] medicines during one visit per month, than [to do] weekly psychotherapy.” 133
Interviewees also described sessions with psychiatrists being limited to issuing or
renewing prescriptions for medicines.
“Marc,” a man detained in a prison, said: “I see the psychiatrist once per month for five
minutes. She asks, ‘How are you? Is the treatment ok?’” 134
“When [my clients] see the psychiatrist, it’s not to talk, it’s to fetch a prescription,” a
lawyer who specializes in detention conditions, including for people with psychosocial
disabilities, told Human Rights Watch. 135 An independent evaluation, by medical
professionals, of the way medicines are prescribed to prisoners with psychosocial
disabilities would be key to ensure that medicines are not overprescribed given the
negative effects on prisoners’ health and risks the availability of large doses of strong
medicines can pose to their physical and mental integrity.
Depending on the facility and on the type of medication prescribed for a prisoner,
prisoners with psychosocial disabilities may receive their medication in their cells on a
131 Human Rights Watch interview with “Julien,” a man detained in a prison, 2015.
132 Human Rights Watch interview with Jean-Marie Delarue, former inspector of prisons, Paris, May 26, 2015.
133 Human Rights Watch interview with Francois Bès, International Observatory of Prisons (OIP), Paris, July 23, 2015.
134 Human Rights Watch interview with “Marc,” a man detained in a prison, 2015.
135 Human Rights Watch phone interview with lawyer Etienne Noel, July 31, 2015.
51 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | APRIL 2016