npm annual report 2016 / observations and recommendations • A remand prisoner who could not speak Finnish had been kept isolated from other prisoners and without any activities outside the cell for months, excluding the possibility for outside exercise. The cell window was small and placed high up, only showing a view of the sky. The window was locked, making it impossible to air the cell. The prisoner had no meaningful pastimes in the cell, except watching television. According to information obtained by the NPM, the prisoner was illiterate and had no common language with the prison staff. The prisoner was also obviously in severe pain. (Oulu) Comment: The Deputy-Ombudsman noticed that the prisoner’s isolation was based on a court order and was thus not a breach of law. However, he found the space for outdoor exercise unsuitable for its purpose because of its small size, lack of exercise facilities and roof and closed-in walls. He considered the conditions of outdoor exercise and complete lack of exercise and activities outside the cell unacceptable. The Deputy-Ombudsman was also concerned about the prisoner’s state of psychological and physical health and the conditions in the cell. The prison management was informed. The prison and the prison outpatient clinic were asked to report on action taken. After the request for information was received, the prisoner was placed in the Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners for a three-week treatment period. The prison reported that since that time, the prisoner’s physical and psychological state had clearly improved. • The prisoners’ possibilities of taking exercise were inadequate. (Turku) The Deputy-Ombudsman recommended organising gym training led by an instructor. • In another prison, there was no gym, and the prisoners only had access to a sports hall for 30 minutes once a week (Mikkeli). Comment: Mikkeli Prison promised to improve the prisoners’ possibilities of taking exercise by striving to use the sports hall more often and by purchasing exercise equipment for the common areas of the cell units. According to the Deputy-Ombudsman, the prison should continue investigating options for setting up a gym. 41