CAT/OP/ARG/1/Add.1 2. (a) Conditions of detention Physical conditions 135. The provincial authorities reported that building deficiencies are rectified through a specially designed mechanism. By Decree No. 1662/08, the governor decentralized resources in order to optimize the activities conducted in prisons. Under the terms of that decree, prison directors are authorized to contract suppliers directly in order to resolve everyday problems in certain areas, such as the “corrective and preventive maintenance of the building”. The decree provides for a system for monitoring such spending, which not only places responsibility with the director and head of the prison, but also monitors the effective reception of goods in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and Security through civilian supervisors. (b) Food 136. The provincial government of Buenos Aires reported that the “Set Meat Menu” programme (Menú Único de carnes) was launched in March 2011, with a view to making quantitative and qualitative improvements to the weekly diet of the prison population in all prisons in the Province of Buenos Aires, with the exception of those with their own catering service. Details of the programme can be found in the extended version of the report. 137. Additionally, the Prison Service’s Directorate of Food Safety and Hygiene set up a continuous training scheme for both staff and detainees working in storage facilities, in order to highlight and develop best manufacturing practices, thereby reducing the risk of food-borne illnesses. 138. The provincial authorities also reported that, in response to the Subcommittee’s observations, the Ministry of Justice and Security has increased the frequency of visits by specialized staff to various facilities, in order to monitor both food quality and conditions of health and safety in kitchens and storage areas. (c) Activities 139. The provincial government confirmed that, in line with what has already been mentioned, in the area of training in recent years many new projects have been launched. Through the building infrastructure programme, schools were built at Prison Units No. 14 in General Alvear, No. 27 in Sierra Chica, Nos. 31 and 32 in Florencio Varela, No. 40 in Lomas de Zamora, No. 43 in La Matanza, No. 46 in San Martín, No. 47 in San Isidro, No. 52 in Azul and No. 54 in Varela. A further four were renovated at Prison Units No. 9 in La Plata, No. 19 in Saavedra, No. 24 in Varela and No. 45 in Melchor Romero. 140. Additionally, all schools located in prisons now have teaching staff, at both the primary and secondary levels, from the Directorate-General for schools of the Province of Buenos Aires, leading to record matriculation levels in the Prison Service in 2012, with 15,000 students attending courses at the primary, secondary, tertiary and university levels, as well as vocational training courses. 141. The provincial government also reported that in 2012 new schools were opened at Prison Units Nos. 10 and 34 in Melchor Romero, No. 54 in Florencio Varela and No. 30 in General Alvear, where eight new classrooms were built, increasing capacity by 25 per cent. Taking all levels of formal and informal education into account, it is safe to say that 62 per cent of persons deprived of their liberty currently participate in educational activities, an increase of 10 per cent on the figures for 2012. 142. With regard to income from work activities, the provincial government reported that new guidelines have been issued for work in prisons this year. Work activities, particularly GE.14-40297 23

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