voluntary HIV test. The tests should be confidential, be accompanied by advice and be administered only with the prisoners ’ informed consent. 292. The SPT recommends that Paraguay should adopt legislation guaranteeing the rights of mentally disabled patients deprived of their liberty and/or under treatment against their will. The SPT further recommends that mentally disabled persons deprived of their liberty should be transferred as soon as possible to specialized institutions under medical management. 293. The SPT recommends that the furniture and roof of the wing for the mentally disabled in Tacumbú National Prison should be repaired and that programmes of activities should be organized for those patients who are able and willing to participate. 294. The SPT notes that solitary confinement should only be ordered on the basis of a medical certificate testifying, following proper examination of the detainee, that he or she is able to bear this punishment. In addition, the medical officer should visit prisoners held in solitary confinement every day, on the understanding that such visits should be in the interests of the prisoners ’ health. Furthermore, prisoners held in solitary confinement for more than 12 hours should have access to fresh air for at least 1 hour each day. 295. The SPT points out that prolonged solitary confinement may amount to an act of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and recommends that the State party should severely restrict the use of solitary confinement as punishment for persons deprived of their liberty. Solitary confinement should not be used in the case of minors or the mentally disabled. 296. The SPT recommends that completion of the new Pedro Juan Caballero Prison should be speeded up and that maximum priority should be given to closing down the existing facility. 297. In general, the SPT recommends that a plan of action on prisons should be drawn up and disseminated so as to ensure that the basic needs of all persons deprived of their liberty are met. As a matter of priority, this should include an inspection of the material conditions of Paraguayan prison facilities, with a view to establishing and implementing cleaning, renovation and refurbishment programmes. In particular, the following should be addressed: (a) All persons deprived of their liberty should have a bed and a mattress on which to sleep, with sufficient bedding that is properly maintained and regularly changed so as to ensure that it is kept clean; (b) Ventilation, cubic content of air, minimum floor space, lighting and access to natural light in cells and dormitories should be guaranteed; (c) Prisons should have adequate sanitary facilities in a proper state of repair, sufficient for personal hygiene, washing of clothes and waste disposal. 298. The SPT urges the State party to increase the current number of sanitary facilities and to carry out urgent and regular repairs on all damaged toilets and clean up the facilities in general throughout the prison wings. 299. The SPT recommends that the State party should allocate sufficient budgetary resources to provide food for prisoners and ensure, through the necessary monitoring mechanisms, that the food purchased is nutritious, effectively distributed to all inmates and prepared and served in a proper and decent manner. 300. With regard to the project for human rights training organized jointly with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the SPT encourages the State party to extend such projects to all prison officers in active service. 301. The SPT recommends that the number of prison officers should be increased so as to ensure the overall security of the facilities as well as the safety of staff themselves and that of prisoners against possible acts of violence by other prisoners. The SPT further recommends that, in line with the minimum international standards, staff should receive adequate salaries and a course of training in their general and specific duties and sit theoretical and practical tests to determine their ability to perform this type of service. 302. The SPT recommends that the State should consider the possibility of establishing a prison service study course as a means of raising professional standards among prison staff. 303. The SPT recommends that all prisons should have disciplinary regulations stipulating (a) the forms of conduct constituting a disciplinary offence; (b) the types and duration of the punishments which may be inflicted; (c) the authority competent to impose such punishments. Any disciplinary measure should be applied in accordance with the regulations, of which all prisoners must have a copy. The SPT recommends that all persons deprived of their liberty should be granted the right to be heard before disciplinary action is taken and to bring such action to higher authorities for review. 304. The SPT recommends that the Paraguayan authorities should ensure that all prisoners (male and female) have at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily, in line with the minimum international standards. 305. It further recommends that all prisoners should be given access to work, education and cultural activities, and that a library with a sufficient number of educational and recreational books should be made available. 306. The SPT recommends that the prison authorities ensure that each prison has at least two working telephones accessible to persons deprived of their liberty.