the Public Defender, the deficiencies described in the reports on the physical environment after the visit
to the institutions N2, N3, N8, N14, N15 and N17 were not resolved. One of the recommendations of the
Public Defender was to correct the deficiencies related to the physical environment described in the
reports after the visit to the institutions N2, N3, N8, N14, N15 and N17. The recommendation was partly
implemented. The response sent to the Parliament by the Ministry of Justice states that during 2019, 19
cells with shower rooms were renovated in N2 penitentiary institution; 14 rooms for short meetings were
arranged; installation of buffer zone security systems has been completed. Reconstruction of barracktype residential buildings in the N14 penitentiary establishments was completed, equipped and converted
into cell-type housing; installation of buffer zone security systems has been completed. Renovation of
quarantine rooms and solitary confinement cells has been completed. Solitary cells were repaired in N15
penitentiary institution. Nevertheless, other important shortcomings remain in the above institutions,
which need to be remedied.
In the reporting period it was not possible to assess the implementation of the recommendation
regarding the abolition of "barrack" type housing in the N17 establishment. It is true that the response
sent to the Parliament by the Ministry of Justice states that several cells for 30 people were reconstructed
in the N17 penitentiary establishment and the so-called "barrack" type housing in penitentiary
establishment N17 was abolished, however, given the fact that the multi-place cells in the establishment
N17 are problematic, we have not received any information about the fate of the other multi-place cells.
These cells are a challenge from an epidemiological point of view. It is impossible to observe sanitaryhygienic conditions in the mentioned cells, and most of the convicts are not provided with 4 sq.m. private
living space. The National Preventive Mechanism will pay particular attention to the implementation of
this recommendation during subsequent monitoring visits.
Despite the recommendation of the Public Defender, the Office of the Public Defender was not given the
opportunity to study the concept of small establishments prepared by the Ministry and to present its
opinions.
Being in the fresh air can have a positive effect on the physical and mental health of inmates. Inmates in
closed and special risk prisons are not allowed to walk outside for more than 1 hour as in previous years.
Given the possibility of only 1 hour of walking during the day, in the establishments N2 and N8 carrying
out the walks according to the time-schedule is also problematic. Most of the prisoners do not want to
walk. The main reason is that 6:00-7:00 in the morning is too early for a walk, also the walking area is not
arranged with appropriate infrastructure. Walking spaces in establishment N8 are arranged on the roof
of the building. According to the prisoners, it is not interesting for them to spend time there, because
nothing can be seen from the walking space except the sky, nor is it a means of contact with nature.
Instead of introducing new and diverse rehabilitation activities in N2, N3, N8, N14 and N15 establishments,
due to the introduction of special conditions in penitentiary establishments, re-socialization-rehabilitation
measures have been severely curtailed and the current situation has worsened.39
39
One of the
Detailed information is available in the relevant subchapter - Schedule and Rehabilitation Activities.
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