Latvian inmates- most with medical disorders

RIGA - In 2007, most inmates in Latvian jails were diagnosed with mentalor behavioral disorders, corresponding to the increase in the number ofprisoners serving lengthy jail terms.

A report by the Latvian Prison Administration shows that last year's medicalchecks revealed mental and behavioral disorders in 4,113 inmates, up from 3,582inmates diagnosed in 2006.

The most widespread disorder was an inadequate response to reprimands andwarnings.

Medics diagnosed 1,056 inmates with drug addiction and found tuberculosis in47 inmates.

The prison authority notes that the number of drug users has not beendecreasing in jails and that inmates constantly try to access forbiddensubstances.

The number of suicides in Latvian jails dropped from seven in 2007 to six in2006, the report says.

Last year, 976 inmates were characterized as especially dangerous, including206 people with a tendency to escape, 116 people with a tendency to assaultstaff, 101 suicidal people and 24 the so called "prison bosses".

The number of inmates serving long jail terms increased in 2007, as 1,854people were jailed for five to ten years, and 573 for 10-20 years.

Last year, 6,548 people were serving their terms in Latvian jails, and theirnumber has remained roughly the same this year.

Prison Administration head Visvaldis Pukite told The Baltic News Servicethat most inmates with mental orbehavioral disorders acquired them outside of jail. Despite materialdifficulties, the Prison Administration wants to provide at least twopsychologists for each jail. They will also try to ensure the socialreintegration of former inmates when they are released.