145.Block C was of a conventional type and had 30 cells. Each cell measured 5.45 m2 and was intended for two to three detainees. The cells were equipped with concrete beds without mattresses. The cells enjoyed weak access to natural light. Block D was used to accommodate children in conflict with the law. There were five blocks of multiple occupancy cells, measuring between 15 and 20 m2. Hygienic conditions in the cells were poor, and the cells were not equipped with beds or mattresses. Rodents and insects had easy access to the cells. 146.The Block G was used to accommodate female detainees. It was composed of cells measuring 6 m2 with an integral annex for toilet measuring 1.5 m2 and accommodated two detainees. As the cells were equipped with only one bed, the second detainee had to sleep on the floor. One pillow, mattress and blanket was provided by the centre. The door and small window were barred, and there was not enough air and light inside. The cells were generally dirty. 147.Ha. Dhidhdoo police station: there were five cells each measuring 5.6 m2 and were intended for single occupancy. However, the cells were used to accommodate up to three detainees. No mattresses were provided for the detainees, and during the rainy days water flooded the cell. There was a small yard, but not all detainees were allowed to go there. 148.Addu Atholhu police station: The facility consisted of seven cells, each measuring 6.3 m2. The cells were intended normally for two to three persons. The cells had no windows, enjoyed weak access to natural light and had no artificial lighting during the night. The personal belongings of the detainees were stored on the floor. There was a small toilet in the back yard. Both detainees and staff stated that cells suffered from flooding during rainy days. There were no facilities for outdoor exercise. 149.Fuamulah (Fuahmulaku) police station: There were three cells, each measuring 5.2 m2 and intended to accommodate two to three persons. The cells were not equipped with mattresses. 150.Kulhudhufushi police station: The two cells measured 7 m2, were intended for no more than two persons each and were equipped with a floor toilet and mattresses. The cells were well lit, ventilated and clean. There were small windows with bars high in the wall; artificial light entered the cell from the corridor through the iron door with bars. Food was regularly provided four times a day; the food was reportedly the same as that provided for the police officers. The SPT was informed that the detainees were taken out into the yard to have their meals and that they could also spend some time outside in the yard. 151.The SPT recommends that every detainee held in the custodial facilities of police stations or in police detention centres should be provided with sleeping accommodation meeting all requirements for health, due regard being paid to climatic conditions and particularly to cubic content of air, minimum floor space, lightning, heating and ventilation, as well as a mattress to sleep on and access to sanitation, food and drinking water. Care should be taken to prevent water entering to cells during the rain, and insects and rodents entering the cells. Anyone held for more than twenty-four hours should be offered outdoor exercise every day. 15.Separation of persons in remand custodyfrom persons serving their sentences 152.The SPT was confronted with several situations in which it was not clear what the legal status of the detainees was, as persons detained by the police, persons remanded in custody and persons serving their sentences were apparently all held in the same premises in Malé Custodial. The SPT recommends that untried detainees should be kept separated from convicted prisoners. 16. Health care (a)Access to health care 153.In the ordinary police stations visited there was no effective system of medical cover. Detainees’ requests to see a doctor were filtered by officers who had had no training in health issues, and the delegation heard numerous allegations from various institutions that requests to see a doctor were ignored. When a medical examination of a detainee was performed, this was done in a medical facility, e.g. a hospital. The situation was slightly better in the two main custody centres, Malé Custodial and Dhoonidhoo Detention Centre, which had medical facilities with full time employed doctors and nurses. However, in these institutions, the delegation heard many allegations that requests to see a doctor were filtered by police staff with no training in health issues and requests were sometimes even ignored. 154. The SPT recommends that, since there are no staff members present in police facilities with the medical qualifications necessary to assess the health needs of persons deprived of liberty, requests for access to a doctor must be granted without delay and without prior filtering by police officers. 155.Some requests were on the grounds of serious withdrawal symptoms, including fits and fainting. In Malé Custodial detainees told the delegation that they had witnessed three fits of a fellow detainee; he was - according to the report of other detainees - taken out of the cell, placed in handcuffs in the yard and given no medical attention. Furthermore, during its visit the delegation saw one detainee having a fit. Several police officers were around but did not intervene in any way, indicating lack of training of staff in management of health problems among detainees. In all probability the attack reflected a withdrawal condition underlining the insufficient management of serious withdrawal condition that must be very common among detainees since more than 75% of all incarcerations were reportedly linked to drug offences. 156. The SPT recommends that requests from detainees to see a doctor should not be filtered by non-medical staff. Police officers should have training and instructions in how to deal with medical emergencies, even without the existence of an explicit request from detainees for medical intervention. Prisoners in obvious need of medical attention, e.g. having fits, should be transferred for medical treatment without delay.