ing suitable accommodation premises for prisoners, necessary privacy, hygiene maintenance, implementation of activities and order and discipline (it causes tension and mutual conflict). These problems are expected to be solved with the construction of new prison facilities in Ljubljana or the renovation of Ig Prison; although (as we continuously highlight), overcrowding cannot be eliminated with the construction of new prisons alone. We agree with the Prison Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (URSIKS) that additional measures will be required for long-term elimination of overcrowding not only within the prison system, but with the help of all stakeholders, including those in the field of criminology. More frequent use of alternative sanctions can also contribute to reducing the number of prisoners. In this report, we particularly emphasise the situation of other vulnerable groups in prisons. For some time now, the Ombudsman has been striving to improve the situation of prisoners who, due to age, illness or disability, require additional assistance when performing their basic functions, i.e. care or social care during the serving of their prison sentence in order to ensure respect for their personality and dignity. When they serve their sentence, it is necessary to ensure suitable accommodation and decent serving of prison sentence; otherwise, this may be considered inhuman or degrading treatment and could be understood as a violation of Article 3 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (more on this can be found in the 2019 Ombudsman’s general report). 1.7 CONCLUSION Female prisoners hold a special position in the prison system due to their needs and circumstances, which is also highlighted in international rules (e.g. the so-called Bangkok Rules). But we nevertheless find that conditions for serving their sentences or detention are, in certain fields (e.g. regarding receiving visitors), worse in comparison to those of men. A lot is expected in this field from the planned renovation of the female prison in Ig, which is the only prison for females in Slovenia. Complaints from female convicted persons and remand prisoners from Ig Prison concerning poor conditions (such as inappropriate rooms for visits from their children, and the impossibility of their partners and children spending the night) further confirm the correctness of the decision that a major overhaul of this prison is required. 26 THE REPORT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA ON IMPLEMENTING THE TASKS OF THE NPM