Confinement can have dramatic psychological consequences for the prisoner, as during that time he or she cannot communicate with other prisoners. Some prisoners sanctioned with confinement have had all their belongings taken from them, including paper and pens, and been left with just a blanket, toothbrush and toothpaste. These articles are breached daily by prison guards, warders and by the Civil Guard policemen responsible for guarding prisoners when they are transferred from one prison to another. Prisoners are moved from prison to prison with the only apparent aim of making it impossible for them to settle. Beatings during transfers are regularly reported.
Attacks consist of hard hits, punches and kicks to the body, insults, vexations and humiliations.
We have also received testimony of warders beating prisoners up in their cells when the latter refuse to obey what they consider to be an unjustified order. Completely motiveless beatings are not unknown. The information we have compiled during 1992 and the first few months of 1993 is shocking. At least 51 Basque men and women prisoners have been attacked in that time. On a number of occasions, the strike was provoked when one or other of the prisoners was beaten up.