CAT/OP/KAZ/1 79. While international norms and standards allow for some limitations on contact with the family during pretrial detention, the Subcommittee recommends that such limitations be justified and regularly reviewed. Current rules seem overly restrictive. 3. Quarantine and disciplinary measures 80. All detainees arriving at a pretrial detention facility undergo about two weeks of quarantine. In some cases, the periods appear to have been longer; for example, in pretrial detention facility No. 18 in Almaty, one person had been in quarantine in a fairly dark cell for 37 days. The Subcommittee received allegations of “welcome beatings” in several pretrial detention facilities, said to be meted out to ensure compliance with the rules. In such cases, detainees are beaten with hands or truncheons, often on the soles of their feet, their palms or other parts of the body where blows do not leave visible traces. In some cases, helpers of the administration – “volunteer activists” – appear to participate in such acts of ill-treatment. 81. Disciplinary measures are applied for minor violations, such as lying down on the bed, which can incur two warnings and then isolation. 20 Such warnings must be given in writing and can be appealed to a more senior penitentiary official, the prosecutor or the judge. In accordance with article 31 of Law No. 353-I, suspects and accused persons can be placed in solitary confinement or disciplinary cells for more than 24 hours upon a written explanation by the head of the place of detention and, in accordance with article 37 of the same law, for up to 15 days (up to 7 days in the case of juveniles), but the delegation did not find many records of such placement being used. 82. In some disciplinary cells conditions were inhumane owing to the cell’s size, darkness, lack of ventilation and degrading toilet facilities. In pretrial detention facility 1 in Almaty, a man allegedly was in solitary confinement in degrading circumstances for three weeks, force-fed and not allowed access to showers. 83. The Subcommittee notes with concern the allegations of “welcome beatings” and recommends that any such practices be discontinued, that the system of disciplinary punishment be reviewed to ensure proportionality and that the conditions in disciplinary cells be brought into line with international standards. 4. Material conditions of detention 84. While material conditions were generally acceptable, in some places visited they fell short of international standards, for example, in some facilities there were open toilets in cells, which do not allow for privacy, and detainees were permitted only one shower per week. In many pretrial detention facilities, several layers of bars on the windows prevented daylight from entering. There were few complaints about the quantity of the food, although many detainees complained about the quality and lack of variety, in particular a lack of fruit and vegetables, and indicated that they preferred to get food from relatives. 85. The Subcommittee was told that the new pretrial detention facility in Almaty Oblast might serve as a model for future pretrial detention facilities. The Subcommittee found that the walking areas of that facility, located on the fifth floor, were inadequate and not accessible to persons with disabilities or health issues. The Subcommittee recommends that full accessibility of walking areas be ensured. 86. The Subcommittee recommends that shutters be removed to allow daylight to enter and that showers be allowed more often than once a week, especially during the hot season. While in some cases cameras in cells may be justified, that is, to reduce the risk of suicide, they may infringe on the right to privacy, especially in women’s cells. 5. Health care 87. General medical services in pretrial detention facilities are perfunctory and basic. Many interlocutors indicated that the quality of the medical services do not meet their 20 14 Law No. 353-I, arts. 37–39.