opportunity to have video appointments. Insufficient number of telephones and inability to speak in a confidential environment were reported in a number of penitentiaries. Against the above problems, the imposition of additional restrictions posed an even greater challenge in terms of contact with the outside world. From March 5, 2020, introducing special conditions restricted the accused and convicts' rights to family, long and short meetings defined by the Code of Imprisonment, leaving the penitentiary institution for a short period of time, as well as temporarily leaving the penitentiary institution due to special personal circumstances.141 This restriction has been partially eased since May 25, 2020, and prisoners have been given the opportunity to enjoy short visits beyond their glass-breaking threshold. 142 The right to use short visits was restored until November 28, 2020,143 however, with the complication of the epidemiological situation, the prisoners' right to short visits as well as the right to receive parcels were suspended until January 1, 2021.144 As of today, prisoners right to a short visit has bee restored since February 1, 2021. Therefore, prisoners' right to long and family visits have been suspended for more than 10 months,145 during these 10 months, the right to use a short visit was allowed for 6 months. Although short visits are currently being restored, it is unpredictable how long they will be allowed. In addition, there are restrictions outside the penitentiary system, which make it difficult for prisoners' family members to move around and exercise their right to a short visit. Clearly, the introduction of special conditions and the restriction of physical contact are in line with the purpose of protecting the lives and health of prisoners, but it is also important to offer alternative means of contact with the outside world as a counterweight to the restrictions.146 It should be noted with regret that in 2020 the measures taken to compensate for the restrictions were very few. From March 16, 2020, in order to compensate for the restrictions on visits, prisoners were given 15 minutes of free telephone talk time, to which another 20 minutes of talk time was added in April with the financial support of the Georgian delegation to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).147 It is noteworthy that the Public Defender has not yet received the requested information from the Special Penitentiary Service on the detailed measures of compensation. Information posted on the social networks and website of the Special Penitentiary service reads as if 15 minutes of free telephone conversation time was to be given to Order N4109 of March 5, 2020 of the Director General of the Special Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Article 2 142 Order N7281 of May 25, 2020 of the General Director of the Special Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, which amended Order N4109 by adding Article 21. 143 Order N17994 of November 28, 2020 of the Director General of the Special Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia. 144 The right to receive parcels has been restored to prisoners since December 28, 2020, and they still enjoy this right today. Information is available on the Special Penitentiary Service website: https://bit.ly/36CtGfU [Last visited: 16.01.2021]. 145 According to the Article 173 of the Imprisonment Code, family visit is the right of a female convict to meet with family members for 3 hours in a specially designated room. 146 Recommendations of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to States Parties and National Preventive Mechanisms on the Coronavirus Pandemic (adopted March 25, 2020), paragraph 9(k). See the link https://undocs.org/CAT/OP/10 [Last visited: 17.01.2021]. 147 Summary Report on the Activities of the Special Penitentiary Service 2020, p.9 and p.11. Available at: https://bit.ly/3oFB4xg [Last visited: 17.01.2021]. 141 56