1. Vratsa Prison There are two prison hostels with the prison in Vratsa, Keramichna fabrika and Boychinovtsi, as well as two detention n facilities, and the Correctional Home for Minor Boys. а) Living conditions Substantial work has been carried out to transfer the detention facilities in Vratsa and Montana as well as the Correctional Home for Minor Boys to the premises of the prison in Vratsa. The detention facility in Montana has been transferred to Vratsa and is now located in the top floor of the school. The material conditions are excellent, with one remark only, that it is not accessible by people with disabilities. No substantial change has been observed compared to former findings of the NPM as regards the detention facility in Vratsa. At the day of the inspection there were 26 detainees. The detention facility is with a capacity of 31 beds. There were instances of overcrowding when 38 persons in total were placed in. According to the Directorate General Execution of Punishments (“DG Execution of Punishments”), the artificial lighting is in compliance with Article 45, para 1 of Regulation No. 49 about the artificial lighting in buildings. However, in the course of its inspection the NPM established a limited access to daylight in this detention facility. In essence the regime in the two detention facilities, and in the detention facilities in general, may be said to be identical to the special regime in the enhanced security zones. Detainees are held locked in their cells and taken out for a walk in the open for about an hour. Once transferred to prison, their regime is set as either special or general and they have the opportunity to work or continue their education. Applying isolation to persons who are presumed innocent by setting a regime applicable to lifers is manifestly unjustified. The total capacity of the detention facilities in the prison is 60 persons, and of the corridor for defendants and accused persons – 34 persons. On 11 March 2019 there were 263 persons placed in the main prison building, including 21 defendants and accused persons. The prison capacity is 336 persons if the standard of four sq. m. is applied. Together with the enhanced security zone, hospital and reception area the total capacity is 370 persons. The NPM notes with satisfaction that for the first time it establishes no overcrowding in this prison. The Correctional Home for Minors was opened in 2018 in a repaired building. The school building has also been repaired. It is situated in the same yard, where there is the area for walks and sports in the open. The prison management intends to use an existing building to build an indoor sports hall. The NPM supports this initiative and recommends its implementation pursuant to the requirements set forth in Article 151, para 3 of the Implementing Rules of the Execution of Punishments and Remand in Custody Act (“the Implementing Rules”). In 2017 the NPM noted that feeding detainees three meals per day did not comply with Regulation No. 37 of 21 July 2009 about students’ healthy nutrition. Fruits are offered once a week. This is why the NPM recommended that the food energy content be distributed over four or five meals per day administered to the minors. To this end, the NPM recommends that if required, the food allowance in this home be increased compared to the rest of the places for deprivation of liberty. The 2018 prison report reads that as of 31 December 2018 a total of 23 inmates were placed in the Correctional Home for Minor Boys at the Vratsa Prison. According to data provided at the day of the inspection in 2019, nine of the convicted were serving their time 10

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