2.7. Conditions of Imprisonment 2.7.1. Physical environment Taking into account the worldwide pandemic, improving living conditions in penitentiaries is becoming even more important, however in 2020 just like in previous years, living conditions in penitentiary facilities have not changed significantly. In 2020, the problem of overcrowding was still present in both semi-open and closed type large penitentiaries such as N15,160 N8161 and N2162. It is unfortunate that in the penitentiary establishment N17 has not yet been abolished the so-called "barrack" type dormitories, where it is impossible to observe sanitary-hygienic conditions, and most of the convicts are not provided with 4 sq.m. personal living space, which of course is a challenge from an epidemiological163 point of view. In the reporting period, the sanitary-hygienic conditions164 in the cells, ventilation,165 lighting166 and the 4 sq.m. minimum living space167 were still problematic. Also, the proposal provided for in several reports of the Public Defender regarding the definition of 4 sq.m. as the minimum living space of the accused is still unfulfilled. 160 The limit of accommodation of prisoners in the penitentiary establishment N15 is 1 388; The number of convicts exceeded the established limit for 12 months during 2020: January - 39.8%, February - 40.9%, March - 39.2%, April - 36.7%, May 33.4%, June - 31,7%, July - 34.9%, August - 35.1%, September - 34.3%, October - 34.5%, November - 37.5%, December 34.8%; information is available at the following address: https://bit.ly/3pYqAup [Last visited: 02.02.21]. 161 The limit for placement of prisoners in the N8 penitentiary establishments is 2 426; the number of prisoners exceeded the established limit for 5 months: August - 10.6%, September - 13.6%, October - 13.3%, November - 4.6%, December 5.2%; Information is available at the following address: https://bit.ly/3pLizJ9 [Last visited: 02.02.21]. 162 The limit for placement of prisoners in the N2 penitentiary facility is 1,068; the number of prisoners exceeded the established limit in 2 months: February - 2.2% and March - 1.1% Information is available at the following address: https://bit.ly/2NYniJb [Last visited: 02.02.21]. 163Due to the large number of convicts and the inability to properly ventilate, the air is saturated with tobacco smoke; In such conditions it is difficult to maintain sanitary-hygienic conditions and the risk of spreading infectious diseases is high. 164 The sanitary-hygienic condition is not satisfactory in N8, N17 and N18 establishments, where cockroaches are spread. The cells of the internal classification of the N8 facility are partially under ground and humidity is observed in the cells. Humidity is observed due to water supply malfunctions in the so-called safe and solitary cells and in the corridor of N8 establishment. 165 In the living area of the N6 facility, and in the living and so-called safe cells of the N8 facility there is not enough artificial ventilation provided, artificial ventilation in solitary cells of the same facility and internal classification cells, as well as in residential cells of facility N17 is not provided at all. Artificial ventilation is also insufficient in the N2 facility living, indoor classification, solitary confinement cells and showers. There are no windows in the de-escalation rooms of N2, N3, N6, N8 facilities, therefore natural ventilation is not available for prisoners. 166 In the residential cells of the N3 facility as well as in the internal classification cells of N2 and N8 establishments and in the so-called safe cells and solitary cells natural light is not enough. 167 Facilities N2, N8, N14, N15 and N17. 59