C HAPTER 7. R IGHT TO CLOTHING AND BEDDING OBJECTIVE The objective of this chapter is to emphasize how important it is both for the general health of everyone in prison and for the self-respect of the individual that prisoners should have clean and adequate clothing and bedding. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES Clothing, as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, is a human right. All prisoners not allowed to wear their own clothing shall be provided with suitable clothing. There shall be facilities for keeping clothing clean and in proper condition. All prisoners shall be provided with a separate bed and clean bedding, with facilities for keeping bedding clean. There must be facilities to wash and dry clothing and bedding regularly. These principles should be presented visually and remain on display throughout the session. BASIS IN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS Exercise: Using the Compilation of Instruments, the trainees should work in pairs in order to discover the basis for each of these principles. Ask for the information to be reported back to the group, ensuring that different pairings of trainees are asked each time. IMPLICATIONS The trainees should be asked what the implications are of clothing and bedding provisions that are below the required standards. The differing circumstances that exist across the many jurisdictions do not alter the imperative of the essential principles. The statements should be presented and further comment encouraged. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS These should be presented for the trainees’ consideration, and comment welcomed on the particular relevance to their own jurisdictions. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION A list of topics is provided in the Manual. Methodology: Divide the trainees into small groups. Give each group the two topics to discuss. Time should be allowed for a brief reporting back session so each group should appoint a spokesperson. 57