The Mas d’Enric Cafeteria: a memory space
One year ago, Núria, a beloved worker in Mas d’Enric prison, was killed. Today, on a visit to the center, I will stop at the cafeteria where we used to share moments, a space that now becomes a living memory of its absence.
A coffee that evokes
When entering, the memory of our talks seems to me present. “Hi, Núria! How are you?” I tell you, as I ask for a coffee. Your answer is a family smile. Núria, with her usual kindness, goes to the coffee machine, and the moment transports me in time, a time that is now a lost luxury.
The price of standardization
Those who work in the prison system know that they must face extreme situations. As we get used to interacting with criminals and violent, reality becomes difficult to process. And yet, Núria’s death reminds us that we cannot normalize violence or make victims only be statistics.
The necessary reflection
The question remains is: What failed in the system that allowed such a atrocious act to take place? In the case of Núria, the security measures that workers should protect did not fulfill their function. Improvement promises have been repeated, but aggression continues to increase, leaving a bitter aftertaste.
The impact of policy on security
Politics must be a tool for protection and security, but it is often an empty space of rhetoric. Politicians need to be responsible and ensure that the prison system is a safe environment for all. Inappropriate management and lack of action have contributed to a climate of vulnerability that cannot be ignored.
A call to action
Núria’s death should serve as a warning. We cannot allow the victims’ voices to be drowned by indifference. We need to take measures, require responsibilities and ensure that workers in risk environments have the protection they need.
A legacy we must not forget
Núria, with her discreet character, became a symbol of the struggle for security. Its story must continue to be heard. We need to ensure that his death is not in vain, and that his memory is used to promote real changes in the system.
Farewell and final reflection
While Núria collects coffee cups, I feel her absence more than ever. His smile is a reminder that we cannot allow violence to normalize. We must continue to fight for a safer future for all, both inside and outside the prisons.
