work with the inmates and their work engagement, which led to minimization of unjustified complaints and the workload of medical specialists, which is typical of other prisons. The good practice of the prison management is that chronically ill inmates who need constant medical care are proposed for ERP. 5. Belene Prison One prison hostel is operating to the prison in the town of Belene. а) Living conditions In 2019, the NPM reported comprehensive progress in relation to its recommendations made over the years in regard to Belene Prison. Completely overhauled is the Enhanced Security Zone and the three main buildings of the prison. Repairs were going on during the inspection of the NPM. The main building is divided into two corridors with five cells in each of them. All premises are renovated, meet the requirements for 4 sq. m. space, there are separate sanitary units and enough daylight. In every corridor there is a kitchen where the inmates prepare themselves their meals. In the beginning of 2017, a new open-type prison hostel to Belene Prison was opened. The capacity of the new building is 70 persons, with available 4 sq.m. per person, sanitary units in every cell and bathrooms. This hostel is slightly overcrowded. For example on 21.09.2017 it accommodated 95 persons, and on 11.11.2018 – 88 persons. The NPM did not receive any complaints of use of force by wardens or of violence among inmates. There are cases of legitimately used physical force and restraining means (a brawl between inmates). After the use of physical force and restraining means, the officers drafted the required documentation and reported it to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Pleven and DGEP. During the inspection in 2017, the NPM noted that during the stay of an inmate in a hospital, he was locked in handcuffs to fixtures in the room – central heating equipment and bedspring. During the inspection in 2019 it was found that this practice continued and the recommendation made to the director-general of DGEP and the minister of justice was not fulfilled. The NPM reminds again that the use of handcuffs in hospitals is in conflict with Article 114 EPRCA and constitutes exposure of sick inmates to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment. The NPM insists the director-general of DGEP, and the minister of justice respectively, to take the required administrative measures to stop these unlawful actions in the system for deprivation of liberty or to deposit the necessary statutory amendments. The NPM inspected weekly menus prepared in different periods of time. The necessary quantity of food was provided and the diets of inmates suffering from different diseases were complied with. Priorities in the work with persons deprived of their liberty and detainees by the prison administration are connected with the utilisation of their free time, at least 4-6 hours per day. To meet this objective, weekly schedules of specific social events are prepared. The focus in the correctional work with inmates covers collective penitentiary activities and specialised group work depending on the needs, deficits and resources of the offenders, paying also attention to their religious needs. Inmates are included in the practice for acquiring basic skills in stockbreeding, cooking, carpentry, construction, horticulture, gardening, etc. As a result, the 21