National Preventive Mechanism At the present time it does not appear that healthcare that is in conformity with basic rights is being provided by the special medical facility at the Stein correctional institution. If the special medical facility at the Stein correctional institution is continued, it needs permanent improvements in structure, personnel, nursing care and medical care in order to meet the minimum requirements of the basic right to health. ¾¾ The NPM demands that nursing care be provided in a conscientious, caring and humane manner. ¾¾ It is recommended that the Federal Ministry of Justice quickly decides whether the special medical facility can be continued in this form. 2.5.4 Structural defects in the forensic department of the Rankweil regional hospital Close quarters cause stress During a visit to the forensic station of Rankweil Regional Hospital, the commission observed a series of deficits. For example, the spatial situation was extremely precarious: a cell with up to four beds permitted no privacy; the individual daybeds were not even separated by visual cover. The corridor is the only common area and is merely about 8 m2 in size. In addition, it is the only area where the patients can smoke. There is no outside or free area they can use. High potential for aggression The commission noted that this station sometimes housed persons under severe mental stress who had no certainty regarding further criminal proceedings or the duration of their stay in the hospital. The potential for aggression often manifested at a forensic station can be additionally intensified by the crowded spatial situation. Unnecessary safety hazards At the time of the visit, an ergo therapy room, which the personnel had to cross, contained items with which patients could endanger themselves or others. No green area There was no outdoor area or inner courtyard that would enable the persons being held there to be outside in the fresh air. This open space would prevent much aggression at the station and would be a significant improvement for the patients. Ministry denies responsibility Confronted with these deficits, the Federal Ministry of Justice pointed out the annual payments it made, but did not consider itself responsible for the specific conditions of detention and the facilities at the station. Moreover, all of the medical facilities used by the Federal Ministry of Justice are visited once a year by employees of the relevant department of the prison administration. However, neither the Federal Ministry of Justice nor the prison administration 156