CAT/OP/PER/1 32. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party: (a) review its public security policies with a view to reducing prison overcrowding; 7 (b) encourage the judicial authorities to use alternatives to deprivation of liberty, in accordance with international standards;8 (c) take measures to ensure that persons deprived of their liberty are housed in conditions that comply with international standards, applying, for example, minimum standards with respect to the cubic content of air and floor space9 and ensuring that each person deprived of their liberty is provided with their own bed and clean bedding;10 and (d) ensure the separation of untried prisoners from convicted prisoners.11 (b) Physical conditions 33. Generally speaking, the Subcommittee observed that the prisons visited were well below standard, as illustrated by the examples described below. 34. In the Lurigancho prison, the Subcommittee visited “La Candelaria”, which is a twostorey construction built by the prisoners themselves, measuring approximately 2 m x 6 m, where 24 prisoners sleep in triple bunks in extreme overcrowding. The building is damp and has no natural light sources or ventilation, and its latrines are full of standing water and in an appalling state. Alongside this building is another known as “the big brother”, measuring approximately 3 m x 6 m, where 20 prisoners sleep in two rows of bunk beds. Some detainees in this prison cannot afford to pay for a cell and therefore sleep out in the open in the yard. 35. In the Huacariz prison the cells measure approximately 3 m x 2 m, and each one houses three to five prisoners, many of whom sleep on the floor. Drinking water is turned on for only 15 minutes each morning and must be collected in containers for use for the rest of the day. 36. At the Yanamayo prison, located at an altitude of 3,800 m in a region with extremely low temperatures, there is no heating. The semi-open areas of the building, such as the cells, are covered with plastic sheeting put up by the prisoners themselves to provide a minimum of protection from the cold. Water is supplied only from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and there are only four latrines per block, which are foul-smelling and in very bad condition. Due to their poor state of repair, the electrical installations pose a safety risk to the prisoners. 37. In several of the prisons visited, the persons deprived of their liberty or their families have to provide their own mattresses, blankets and cleaning materials. 38. The Subcommittee urges the State party to conduct a nationwide audit of the physical conditions in prisons, with a view to establishing and implementing realistic cleaning and renovation programmes, and in particular to renovate sanitary and electrical installations and enlarge the prison cells. (c) Food 39. The Subcommittee observed that the food provided by the State is insufficient, monotonous and of low quality, which was one of the complaints heard most often from persons deprived of their liberty. In some of the prisons visited, food may not be brought in by family members. In others it may, but only in very small quantities. 40. The Subcommittee recommends stepping up food quality inspections and ensuring that meals are prepared in hygienic conditions, are sufficient in quantity and are of adequate nutritional quality and variety.12 7 8 9 10 11 12 GE.17-13638 Principles and Best Practices on the Protection of Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Americas, principle XVII. United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (Tokyo Rules). Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, rule 10. Ibid., rule 19. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, art. 10, and Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, rule 8, para. (b). Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, rule 20, para. 1. 7