CAT/OP/BRA/1 (b) Material conditions 99. Among the penitentiary institutions visited by the SPT, the material conditions of detention varied considerably from one establishment to another. At Coronel Odenir Guimarães-CPP, the conditions also differed between facilities or cellblocks. For example, cellular accommodation in the Módulo de Respeito (Block 2A) provided good living conditions. However, the quarantine cell for newly-arrived detainees accommodated at the time of the visit nine inmates, with no bedding and completely inadequate sanitary facilities. The worst conditions were observed in Block 4B, where recidivists convicted of violent crimes were held. 100. The SPT recommends that inmates be treated on an equal basis and in a nondiscriminatory manner. Living conditions should be harmonized so as to guarantee non-discrimination and eliminate possible sources of pressure and/or means of extortion of inmates. Allocation of an inmate to a particular cell or block within a prison should take place in accordance with formal objective criteria, and should be recorded in a transparent manner in the inmate’s personal file. 101. The Brazilian authorities are requested to provide information on actions taken to review the use of quarantine cells for newly-arrived detainees, so that they comply with international standards. 102. At Nelson Hungria, prisoners were accommodated in large-capacity dormitories (50 beds), where meals were also served. Toilet and bath facilities offered little privacy. Inmates at Petrolino de Oliveira female prison complained that there was no hot water for washing. 103. The SPT recommends that the authorities draw up a plan to progressively replace large dormitories with smaller living units. The SPT further recommends that deficiencies in the sanitation infrastructures in penitentiary institutions be remedied, with due consideration to international standards.39 104. The material conditions in Ary Franco prison reflected a pronounced disregard for the dignity of inmates. The most dilapidated cells were seen on the underground floor of the main building, especially in the areas for inmates needing protection from other inmates (“seguro”). Corridor A, a dedicated unit for protected inmates, had an official capacity of 296 but was accommodating 457 inmates at the time of the visit. The bulk of the unit’s accommodation consisted of 21 multi-occupancy cells (30m²), each containing two sets of bunk beds with a non-partitioned latrine and sink or shower. Each cell held up to 30 prisoners, with approximately half of them having to sleep on the floor without adequate bedding. 105. Cells in Ary Franco were generally dark, filthy, stuffy and infested with cockroaches and other insects. The heavy overcrowding and poor maintenance of the cells resulted in conditions that created serious health problems for the inmates, such as mycosis and other skin and stomach diseases. In some cells, the SPT could see that the sewage system from cells on the above floors was seeping through the ceiling and walls. 106. In addition to the deplorable state of accommodation facilities, there was a general lack in the provision of hygiene items, clothing, mattresses and other essential items. The SPT received information from inmates that the cost of soap was eight reais and that toilet paper cost 50 cents, which many inmates could not afford. 39 SMRTP, rules 12-13. 17