The Council of Europe has published an extremely critical report regarding the conditions in psychiatric treatment sanatoriums in Romania. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) warns that some treatments applied to patients „may amount to ill-treatment, inhuman and degrading treatment,” violating Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The conclusions come as a result of a visit carried out in 2024 by a team of the committee aimed at evaluating the treatment and detention conditions in the four psychiatric and security measures hospitals in Romania: Săpoca, Pădureni-Grajduri, Jebel, and Ștei. Two of these – Săpoca and Pădureni-Grajduri – were previously visited by CPT experts in 2014 and 2022.
Repeated physical assaults and deaths by suffocation
In three of the hospitals - Pădureni-Grajduri, Săpoca, and Ștei - the committee received "numerous credible and consistent allegations" of physical assaults committed by auxiliary staff against patients, as stated in the report. The accounts describe "slaps, pushes, hair pulling, punches, or blows with objects, even when the patient was lying on the floor."
At Ștei Hospital, the CPT delegation was informed that the staff even used an electric shock weapon on patients - an incident currently under investigation by Romanian authorities.
The report also highlights cases of fatal neglect: in three of the four visited hospitals, eight patients died in the last three years "choked with food." CPT concludes that patients at risk of suffocation are not identified in time, and preventive measures are lacking.
Overcrowding and "carceral" conditions
Although some renovations have been completed or are ongoing, the committee describes the material conditions as "gloomy, non-therapeutic, and lacking personality," with some spaces having "a distinctly carceral appearance."
At Pădureni-Grajduri, the construction of a new pavilion has not yet started, and overcrowding remains severe. At the time of the visit, 78 out of the 409 patients were forced to share beds with other patients.
The committee notes that the number of staff is insufficient to ensure proper care, treatment, and supervision of patients. The low level of personnel "affects the dignity of patients and puts their safety at risk," while also encouraging excessive use of isolation or physical restraint.
Authorities' response: reform promises and professional training
The Romanian government has provided CPT with a detailed response regarding measures taken or planned. Authorities state that procedures have been implemented in each hospital to identify patients at risk of suffocation, and training courses have been organized for ward staff.
Romania also promises reforms within the National Health Strategy 2023-2030 and through a National Action Plan for mental health, which includes the development of community services. CPT has announced that it will continue dialogue with Romanian authorities to monitor progress.
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture visits places of detention in the member states of the Council of Europe - prisons, police stations, immigration centers, psychiatric hospitals, and social care homes - to assess how persons deprived of liberty are treated. After each visit, the committee publishes a report with findings and recommendations to the government concerned.