3.3.2. Material conditions The open unit of the Kumanovo Prison in Kriva Palanka is located in an older building on two floors, which can be reached through a small and unsafe bridge of old wooden boards that makes access unsafe and is a serious problem in conditions when urgent intervention is needed, and access with vehicle is limited. The convicts are deployed in 4 rooms, and during the survey of the premises it was concluded that the square footage and the number of convicts accommodated in one room is within the minimum international standards for accommodation of convicts. The room temperature during the visit was 22⁰C, and their humidity was 40-45% R.H., which is within acceptable standards. There are no radiators in the facility, and wood stoves are used for heating. The rooms also have large windows from which enough daylight enters, however there is no special ventilation system, and on the day of the visit some of the rooms were unventilated and suffocating. The convicts themselves take care of the hygiene, and during the visit the premises were generally clean. Each of the rooms is equipped with beds, small tables and chairs. Some of the beds were with old and dilapidated mattresses, dirty bedding and messy blankets. There are two toilets for the convicts, one on the ground floor and the other on the first floor, which are in very poor condition. Namely, the toilet on the ground floor is without doors, non-functional sanitary units and with obviously low level of hygiene. Some toilets also have mirrors that are damaged at the ends and can be used as items for (self)injury, and overhanging electric cables from the boiler were also noticed. During the visit, the premises that were previously used for the execution of the disciplinary punishment - solitary confinement were inspected, and for which the officials pointed out that they have not been used for a long time. During the inspection of these premises, it was concluded that they are in very bad material condition, but also that they have not been used for a long time. In this regard, the convicts also stated that they do not remember that anyone was accommodated, that is, referred to those premises. The food for all convicts is prepared in the kitchen. Hygiene is at a satisfactory level, and it is taken care of by convicts who change according to a previously made schedule. In general, the hygiene in the dining room is satisfactory. The inventory is outdated and the chairs are not fixed to the floor or table, which can pose a risk to the safety of convicts and staff. The open unit of the Kumanovo Prison in Kriva Palanka does not have any functional vehicles, that is, there are some old vehicles and trucks that are already unusable and out of function, due to which for official needs the employees are forced to use their private vehicles. www. ombudsman.mk 129