Hygienic deficiencies in the bedding are unacceptable in the opinion of the NPM. The CPT also emphasises the importance of hygiene (with respect to clothing and bedding) as a form of preventive medicine [CPT/Inf/E (2002) 1 – Rev. 2010, p. 37]. The NPM urges on hygienic grounds and for the purpose of preventive health care that the old and shabby mattresses and headrests be replaced. Hygienic deficiencies Moreover, as part of the state’s duty of care, the correctional institutions must always eliminate deficiencies in furnishings that have an adverse effect on the living conditions of detainees and are potential sources of injury. State’s duty of care The recommendations of the NPM were accepted. New mattresses were ordered. In the Leoben correctional institution, the mattresses are thicker and have washable covers. Of course, due to the statutory requirements of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, only those mattresses that need to be replaced for hygienic and health reasons or due to damage are being replaced. Moreover, a contract has been awarded to manufacture new slatted frames for the ViennaSimmering correctional institution. New mattresses and bed frames It is noteworthy in this regard that many of the items of furnishings can be manufactured by companies that outsource parts of their production to prisons. Examples are the manufacture of 43 mattresses in the Stein correctional institution or the manufacture of bed frames in the metalworking shop of the Vienna-Simmering correctional institution. With respect to the lockers, the Federal Ministry of Justice states that they have a storage compartment and a hanging flap and confirms that they are not lockable. The Ministry agreed to examine the purchase of lockable boxes but indicated that security, organisational and budgetary aspects had to be taken into account. The Ministry also promised to examine the possibility of installing an additional storage compartment. The NPM demands that the Ministry of Justice ensure that lockable lockers are purchased because detainees are unable to secure their personal items. This encourages assaults on other people’s property. It is necessary to provide lockable boxes, particularly where private property is especially endangered due to a high turnover of inmates [CPT/Inf/E (2002) 1 – Rev. 2010, p. 46]. The demand for lockable lockers remains in effect  The furnishings of inmate cells must also be checked regularly at the Wiener Neustadt, Vienna-Simmering and Leoben correctional institutions. Defects that have an adverse impact on living conditions and constitute potential sources of injury must be eliminated immediately.  It is encouraging that the replacement of damaged and unhygienic mattresses and the manufacture of new bed frames has been ordered at the Leoben, Wiener Neustadt and Vienna-Simmering correctional institutions. 114

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