European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 15, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Continued from Page 15 american in a turkish prison. In s nol like Hal Al All. Of course it s nol a Holiday inn  Molina is part of an elaborate network of us consulate officers and Legal specialist who iry to ensure Hal americans in prisons irom Istanbul to London receive periodic visits from Legal and medical officers and social service workers. Jail s not a in place to be in any  a said we iry to make sure the person is provided 35 much Caio and All the health and Comfort Ilams permitted under Spanish  american prisoners in Europe report Only a few cases of mistreatment according to slate department be Cortes. Rather lha problems faced arc More internal the language differences and the potential for depression caused by being an outsider on the inside. The language Barrier is usually overcome because most of the people who enter confinement end up teaching English and learning Spanish my the other  Molina said. " Bui i think the biggest thing is the loneliness of being in  almost 70 us soldiers government civilians or family members were in european prisons As of Jan. 31, according to military records. Sly one of them were imprisoned in Germany where inc uni de slates has ils largest concentration of military and government pier ii Rinc a in Europe Anol fior 2h americans nol connected to the  government overseas were in prisons of nato member european countries according to a recent stale department report to Congress Germany also has the highest number of  civilians in european prisons Wilh 118, or 40 percent of the local to Europe. Altogether Germany accounts for Iho third highest total of foreign countries Wilh americans nol connected to the . Government in custody in the world trailing Only Mexico and Canada drug Ollen ses worldwide accounted for about 41 percent of All charges brought against americans arrested abroad in 1987, according to inc slate department Loporto figures reflected As Well in the  Community in Germany the dimes Are mostly serious crimes Sard i col. Robert a Youmans. Chief of the International affairs division Al the v corps Slaff Edge advocate s office. The most common types of offences Are Selling drugs or distributing Laily Largo quantities of drugs. Then Corno crimes of violence like rape robbery murder and occasionally family violence. Alter that it s All  americans cannot expect special in Eatonl when they travel in foreign countries lie state department warned in its report. Americans have been arrested Tor possessing As lit lie As a itt ird of an ounce of  the report said. It added those americans who assume there is no real danger in buying or carrying just a Small amount of drugs on i hair overseas trip May be in f of a very unpleasant surprise.1 that was underscored april 5 by a Spanish court s conviction of Conan Owen a 23 year old Virginia photographer on cocaine importation charges pcs Pincus. Government Beliel rial Owen was an innocent traveler duped by an acquaintance into carrying the drugs into Spain he was sentenced to is years in jail. . Authorities reported Only isolated cases of alleged mistreatment of americans detained abroad with most of those occurring in Mexico. According to the state Depar Lenl. There were no confirmed cases of mistreatment of americans in custody in Europe. But there were four alleged cases of mistreatment in German prisons three cases in Greece and three cases in Franca. The slate department terms a Case confirmed when a consular officer determines thai a prisoner s allegation of mistreatment is credible or there is Clear evidence of physical mistreatment. . Military author tics in several countries said they had no reports of mistreatment of us. Government personnel in Loreign prisons. In Many cases americans receive Bailor treatment than they would in . Prisons Youmans said the prisons Here in Germany Are cleaner better maintained More modern and professionally Sla fled than similar facilities in the Stales he said and on Tho balance. Itie inmate receives belter treatment better Quality Lood More opportunities Lor cd Chon and  bilateral treaties and arrangement Between the United Stales and Vanous countries have helped somewhat to define the rights of americans Dalai cd in Sorcio i prisons. But there Are some Dildo fences Between the Legal status of . Government personnel and their dependents stationed in foreign countries and other americans the Lalus of  military personnel in Europe Falls under special International agreements including the nato status of forces agreements local governments have primary jurisdiction Over criminal offences involving . Service members unless Iho Altense was committed in Iho performance of official duly or unless the victim of the offence was the  government a member of Tho military a civilian government worker or a family meant a. The Host nations have exclusive right of prosecution Over . Civilian employees and family members whether the local authorities exercise their right of jurisdiction Over us government workers depends on the circumstances of the Case. The department of defense has no criminal jurisdiction Over civilians or  Youmans said they can receive administrative action. But As far As actual criminal Lur indication anytime they get in trouble it is exclusively the Host nation s  and All americans nol employed by the . Government abroad Are subject exclusively to trial by the foreign government. When . Military personnel Are accused by a foreign government of break ing a Law the local us. Commander will determine in any disciplinary action is necessary. But the commander will not begin a court martial impose non judicial punishment of take any other final action until jurisdiction is returned to Tho United Stales. H the local government retains ils jurisdiction of the Case a  Legal Liason officer will Brief Iho accused on the local government s criminal procedures including his right to apply Lor us. Government retained counsel. Since oct. 1, i9b5, the . Government has provided counsel fees to military civilians and qualified dependents in cases where a conviction would Likely result in a Jait sentence. A . Observer will follow All proceedings including the trial appeals hearings and when permitted pretrial proceedings pertaining to . Personnel. For americans not employed by the  government various treaties signed by most nations require that a National detained m a foreign state be informed of the right to have his or her consulate notified. But according to the stale department. Notification of Arr Esfi and Access to americans May be affected by political economic and geographic factors Many american citizens had problems in Eastern european countries wild strict customs and immigration Laws. In Romania Lor example some american tourists were detained at the Border Lor alleged customs violations and nol allowed to phone the . Embassy. Most of the americans were released within 24 hours after paying a Cash line. Ii a conviction results in a jail sentence. . Personnel continue to receive help from Iho . Government. White in prison . Military and civilian personnel and their dependents Are visited monthly by a government lawyer and chaplain and Al least every three months by a medical officer. Although they lose their salary military members Are eligible to receive up to 130 per month Tor health and comport pay or Purchase of toilet paper shaving equipment 01 other Smalt items. While doctors make periodic visits to americans in prisons to ensure that their health is maintained chaplains also iry to look Afler a prisoner s physical and mental health. We just got through gathering up old clothes Lor the prisoners said chaplain it. Col Terence j. Figel installations staff chaplain Al hed Nikon a Greece for the past 18 months. When Figel was a chaplain in Turkey on a previous assignment he used to bring prisoners Cloose eggs and cigarettes. Once he managed to got a television set in. In Turkey the problem we had was Hal in was very difficult to gel in to see Tho  Figel said we d stand outside and pester Tho guards. I think things Are a lot easier there  such constant vigilance is necessary to ensure the rights of american prisoners abroad. Said Figel and other american Oil Ici als who Deal daily with Ihei males but these of Licals also acknowledge that without an interlocking support system to help them with Legal medical and even spiritual matters Tho prisoners would to in far worse shape. Said Figel As chaplains we Don t just say Here s a Bible i try to Meel Iho human needs. And then in they happen to raise the question about bibles or player books i might offer to Pray Tor them there and  so  is llmmrjj�id1a to m a. I pcs svy a Page 16 the stars and stripes Friday april 15,1988