A 42-year-old inmate, identified as A.R.M., died on Sunday afternoon in the women's module patio at Ponent Penitentiary Centre in Lleida. Investigations are underway into the cause of death, but evidence suggests the prisoner died from an overdose after a drug package burst in her stomach hours after she swallowed it.

According to ElCaso.cat and confirmed by reliable sources, the inmate is believed to have ingested the package during a 'vis-a-vis' visit that morning. This type of visit, which allows intimate or family contact without a glass barrier, is a common method for introducing substances into prisons. The package reportedly dissolved in her stomach.

Justice Ministry sources have ruled out suicide and are awaiting the autopsy results. The inmate collapsed in the patio's toilet area around 7pm on Sunday. Prison medical staff provided immediate attention until emergency services arrived. Despite resuscitation attempts, they could not save her life.

Drug Smuggling Risks Highlighted

Sources told the newspaper that prisoners often take significant risks when attempting to smuggle drugs. These risks include being detected, which can lead to drug trafficking charges, and severe health consequences, as seen in this case. The 'vis-a-vis' visits are frequently used for this purpose.

This incident marks the second death at Ponent Penitentiary Centre in less than a month. On 16 April, A.P.S., a 78-year-old man who murdered his son-in-law, a Mossos d'Esquadra officer, last October, died by suicide. He was found in his cell in module 3 during the morning count, having cut his throat.

Rising Suicide Concerns in Catalan Prisons

So far this year, Catalan prisons have recorded five suicides. Three of these occurred at Puig de les Basses prison in Figueres. The director of Puig de les Basses recently resigned following these incidents.

CSIF, a trade union, criticised the resignation, calling the director a "scapegoat" and stating that the existing suicide prevention protocol is not working effectively. The ongoing investigations into both deaths at Ponent Penitentiary Centre will likely examine prison security measures and inmate welfare protocols.