CAT/OP/PRT/1 the court was closed and the arrested person had to remain in detention until Monday to be taken before a judge. 63. The Subcommittee notes allegations by prisoners interviewed concerning a lack of access to a lawyer during their initial police detention. Some prisoners alleged that they had not received information on the right to contact a lawyer. Others argued that they had met an ex officio lawyer for the first time in court and that the lawyer had not been adequately prepared. At the same time, the Subcommittee observed that the arrest records at police stations visited by the delegation had been thoroughly compiled and included a page listing the rights of individuals during arrest signed by the arrested person. The list of rights was available in several languages. The delegation also had the opportunity to look into the police database, where the status and location of the arrested person could be tracked in real time. 64. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party ensure the access of detained persons to a lawyer immediately after their arrest and that it at least secure the presence of legal counsel during interrogation. The State party should also extend and strengthen the system of free legal aid to ensure effective and quality representation for all detained persons, on an equal basis. B. Material conditions of detention at police stations 65. The delegation found that the material conditions in the police stations visited were satisfactory for a short-term detention. The detention cells were around 8 m2, with an inbuilt bench and a toilet. Mattresses and blankets were provided. Arrested persons received three meals a day. The delegation noted that the natural light was poor and the artificial lighting very dim. The police stations visited did not have a yard for the detainees to take exercise. 66. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party ensure that the lighting in the police detention cells is sufficient for reading and that persons arrested for more than 24 hours have the possibility to spend at least one hour outside of the cell in the open air. VI. Prisons A. Material conditions of detention in prisons 67. In all prisons the Subcommittee delegation heard complaints about lack of work, study, rehabilitation and recreational opportunities and difficulties in contacting the professionals engaged by the system to take care of such tasks, namely the educators. In some cases, in high security cells newspapers were reportedly not allowed and books were almost impossible to get. Many inmates complained that work opportunities were poorly remunerated. Some inmates said that those who were offered work activities were often encouraged to report on other prisoners. At the same time, the delegation noted a positive practice in Sintra Prison, where about half of prisoners worked, including outside of the facility. 68. The Subcommittee recommends the State party to broaden the work, education, rehabilitation and recreational opportunities for prisoners. Such opportunities facilitate rehabilitation of prisoners and their future reintegration in society. The Subcommittee also recommends that fairly remunerated work opportunities be made available to all detainees. The State party might consider dividing working hours between several prisoners to allow more people to be engaged in purposeful activities. 69. In all prisons, without exception, inmates complained about the quality, quantity and variety of food and in some cases also food hygiene. Complaints ranged from food smelling rotten or being too greasy to reports of foreign bodies such as cockroaches and other insects in the food served. Inmates also complained about the overly strict regulations as to what food their families were allowed to bring for them, with basic items being prohibited. The 12