Sanitary fixtures and personal hygiene Articles 12 and 13 of the UN SMR stipulate that 12. The sanitary installations shall be adequate to enable every prisoner to comply with the needs of nature when necessary and in a clean and decent manner. 13. Adequate bathing and shower installations shall be provided so that every prisoner may be enabled and required to have a bath or shower, at a temperature suitable to the climate, as frequently as necessary for general hygiene according to season and geographical region, but at least once a week in a temperate climate. The standard set by European Prison Rules is for prisoners to be allowed to shower daily if possible, and at least twice a week (EPR Rule 19.4). Cells used for solitary confinement should, at a minimum, have an in-cell lavatory and wash-basin installed, and where possible, also a shower. These should be situated in a far corner of the cell and screened-off to afford the prisoner privacy. Prisoners should be provided with water and the necessary toiletries to maintain personal cleanliness (SMR Rule 15; EPR Rule 19.6), and with cleaning materials to maintain the cleanliness of their cells. More generally, all areas used by prisoners including showers, exercise areas and corridors should be clean and well maintained. Other environmental features The monotonous and claustrophobic environment of segregation units can be improved by some additional design features including57: • • • • • • Good ventilation and comfortable temperatures, ideally controlled by the prisoner Low noise levels ‘Soft materials’ for cell furnishings Colourful environment Privacy Alarm button Physical design and conditions: country examples The importance of good prison design and adequate physical provisions is perhaps best illustrated by examples of segregation units which fail to meet international standards. The selection below is drawn from reports on physical conditions in segregation units in various countries. 42 Sourcebook on solitary confinement: Design, physical conditions and regime in solitary confinement units