PRE-DEPORTATION DETENTION FACILITIES The Joint Commission learned of one detainee who had been kept constantly segregated in an observation room for 10 days. The observation room is equipped in the same way as a specially secured room containing no dangerous objects. It contained no furniture and only had a mattress on the floor, a toilet built into the floor and a wash basin. The person concerned was subsequently deported after being released from segregation. The documents presented to the Joint Commission indicate that the person concerned was visited on a daily basis by the prison doctor, though an external psychiatrist examined him only once over the course of the 10 days. The Joint Commission is of the opinion that, for example, regular meetings with a psychologist should have been used in an attempt to influence the person concerned’s behaviour. This case makes it clear just how important the regular attendance of a psychologist is. Further, it is incomprehensible why the Prison Regulations determine that segregated detainees awaiting deportation are not given any reading material apart from the Bible or the Qur'an. This rule cannot be based on security considerations. Since segregated detainees may not have any contact with anyone outside the facility, may not engage in any work nor use a TV or radio, this means that they spend 23 hours every day in the specially secured room with nothing at all to do. For those placed in a separate room for any length of time this represents a disproportionate measure which can have an additional negative impact on the person concerned’s general condition and resembles punishment. The Joint Commission recommends at least giving segregated detainees awaiting deportation more reading material. Response: The Prison Regulations have already been amended such that detainees held in segregation must also be given sufficient reading material (books and newspapers). The detention facility does not have its own psychologist. Where required, appointments are arranged with a psychiatrist in general practice in Ingelheim. However, it is not always possible in every case to get an appointment at short notice. The head of the facility reported about one detainee awaiting deportation who was being held in the closed wing at the time of the visit and who was to be presented to the psychiatrist on account of his peculiar conduct. However, it was not possible to get an appointment with the psychiatrist until the day after the detainee’s deportation. The Joint Commission in particular regards the psychological support provided to the detainees awaiting deportation in the detention facility as insufficient. The Joint Commission was informed that employing a psychologist was already being considered, since the ministry was aware of the need. The Joint Commission recommends establishing the position of psychologist for the detention facility. In view of the fact that only few detainees awaiting deportation are held in the facility, a part-time post will no doubt initially suffice and hours can be increased if need be. Response: As explained during the Joint Commission’s visit, there are already plans to create the position of psychologist in the facility. A psychologist qualified in treating trauma is being sought to work on an hourly basis. Provision has been made for four hours per week (fixed) and between four to six hours per week on call. A request has already been sent to the Institute for Trauma Treatment in Frankfurt am Main in this regard to enquire whether the Institute is interested in taking on the psychological treatment and whether it can provide the names of any psychologists working in the Ingelheim area. Further, talks are being held with the Treatment Centre for the Victims of Torture in Berlin about the planned training course on “Traumatisation” for all those members of staff who regularly come into contact with detainees. At the time of the visit only one woman was being detained in the facility. According to the head of the facility, this was often the case on account of the low occupancy rates. The detained woman was, thus, inevitably alone in the wing and had no contact with other detainees awaiting deportation. This is equivalent to solitary confinement. The Joint Commission recommends fundamentally rethinking the conditions of detention for women and considering ways of cooperating with other facilities so that female detainees awaiting deportation could be placed together with other women. Response: When female detainees awaiting deportation who are travelling alone are placed in detention and no other women are being held in the same facility, the social service cooperates with a non-governmental organisation to provide intensive support over and above what is normal. In addition, the detainee is given the opportunity to have regular contact with people in the detention facility who speak the same language. The possible cooperation referred to is currently being examined. 1.1.3 – Further suggestions by the Joint Commission for improving the conditions of detention and response of the Ministry for Integration, Family Affairs, Children, Youth and Women of Rhineland-Palatinate When a person awaiting deportation is booked in, any money he or she is carrying is taken into safekeeping by the competent authorities. In many Länder the person to be deported is left a predetermined amount of money (retainer). According to the Ministry for Integration, Family Affairs, Children, 48