CAT/OP/BRA/1 interviewed reported consistent practices of physical abuse, some amounting to torture, as well as a lack of legal safeguards. 134. The SPT welcomed the overall involvement of the public defender in centres for children and adolescents. The SPT was, however, concerned by the lack of transparent information provided to children who were not properly informed about the judicial process and the system in place for evaluating their progress and ability to reintegrate into society. The SPT was also concerned at the absence of visits carried out by public prosecutors and judges in centres for children and adolescents. 135. The SPT recommends that: (a) All legal safeguards provided by the ECA be applied to the child or adolescent from the moment of arrest. (b) Priority be given to reducing the number of children detained prior to a determination by a judge, and to reducing the duration of deprivation of liberty when there are compelling reasons for the child to be deprived of liberty.48 (c) Children receive proper legal defence at all stages of legal proceedings, including during police interviews49 and regular inspections of those centres be carried out by judges and public prosecutors. 2. Conditions of detention 136. Despite good material conditions noticed in the internment units for girls (Educandário Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro and Mooca in São Paulo) as well as in CENSE Gelso de Carvalho Amaral in Rio de Janeiro and CASA Nogueira in São Paulo, the SPT was concerned with the overall conditions in which persons aged 12 to 21 years old were held. The situation was considered even worse in facilities where children and adolescents in conflict with the law were recidivists. 137. In most institutions visited in the State of São Paulo and in Instituto Padre Severino in Rio de Janeiro, the SPT was concerned with the poor material conditions of detention. The delegation found overcrowding in the cells, inadequate bedding, inadequate access to hygiene materials and poor clothing. The SPT was shown samples of food distributed to the children, some appearing to be rotten. 138. The SPT recommends that the State party provide, in accordance with international standards, adequate food and accommodation facilities, as well as minimum required items for persons to live in detention in dignity with regard to hygiene. 139. The SPT further recommends that: a) The new centre which was being built in the Padre Severino complex be completed so as to enable the closure of crumbling dormitories in the main centre and reduce the acute overcrowding in that centre; b) The State party accelerates the decentralization process to enable children and adolescents to remain in centres closer to their families. 48 49 22 United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, rule 17. Beijing Rules, para. 7.1.