The ONCE Auditorium hosted today the award ceremony for distinctions on the occasion of the feast of La Mercè, patron saint of prison services. During the event, the careers and work of 67 professionals and 6 institutions and entities working in the field of penal execution, prison centers, and juvenile justice throughout Catalonia were recognized.
Minister Ramon Espadaler championed the work of professionals and collaborating institutions, stating that the celebration was "an act of gratitude and recognition for all those who, individually or collectively, make this work possible every day." He thanked the involvement of police forces, the Church, volunteers, and various Generalitat departments, emphasizing that "we cannot do anything alone," and expressed his appreciation for the professionals' families.
Espadaler highlighted advancements such as recognizing prison staff as agents of authority, celebrating that Catalonia has been a pioneer in this area. He also stressed the need to enhance training and improve human resources in response to the increasing prison population and evolving security challenges.
The Secretary of Penal Measures and Reintegration, Elena Pérez, emphasized that the event recognizes "the people who make the daily functioning of the penal execution system possible" and praised the work of institutions and security forces. She recalled the Pope's visit to the Brians 2 Penitentiary Center and his message about the capacity to overcome mistakes, advocating for the service vocation of prison system professionals.
Among the distinguished entities are the Egueiro Association, the Federation of the Islamic Council of Catalonia, Grup Espai Blanquerna, the Mollet Chess Club, the Secretariat of Penitentiary Pastoral Care (SEPAP), and the Patronat de la Sagrada Família. A distinction was also awarded to a volunteer linked to the Catalan Basketball Federation. Notable individual awardees include Esteve Camps i Sala, president of the Patronat de la Sagrada Família; magistrate Carme Guil Román; and Caixabank's Director of Accessibility and Social Banking, Imma Barra.
The event included an in memoriam tribute to professionals who passed away in the last year and the screening of audiovisuals on the status of prison staff as agents of authority, open-medium measures, restorative justice, the CIRE model, and the work of artistic monitors.
