MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR NGOS 137 MEDICAL SERVICES The physical and mental health of detainees is particularly important, as imprisonment deprives them of the right to run their own lives. It is, therefore, up to the detaining authorities to ensure that the detainees enjoy a satisfactory state of health, healthy living and working conditions, and appropriate medical care. The international rules furthermore specify that a detained person cannot be the subject of medical experiments which could affect his/her physical or mental integrity. In principle, the care provided in prison must be equivalent to that available in society in general. The question of medical care is particularly important, as imprisonment has an effect on the detainees' state of physical and mental health. Medical Services ■ Access to medical care; ■ Specific health care for women (and babies); ■ Medical staff. 5