Food One point of criticism which is regularly expressed by prison inmates is the quality of the food. A varied, healthy diet is conducive to inmates’ well-being and is also particularly important for their satisfaction with their accommodation situation. Hence, the National Agency always also examines the food on offer. Happily, the standard in this regard is generally high and the facilities successfully endeavour to offer sufficient varieties of food which also take into consideration vegetarian, religious or medical needs and, for instance, the special needs of women. The atmosphere in the facility and the relationship between detainees and officers The relationship between inmates and officers is essential to the climate of the entire facility and a dignified deprivation of liberty. Discussions, particularly with the individuals in custody or inmates, as well as with the officers – are highly informative for the National Agency in this regard. However, the number and the content of complaints against officers are also an important source of information in this regard. Therapeutic and suicide prophylactic concepts The suicide prophylactic concept in Lower Saxony A convincing programme has been developed in Lower Saxony in order to prevent acts of suicide in remand detention: During the first 14 days after being detained in their cells, the remand detainees are enabled to anonymously telephone a chaplain in the period from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. 100 cells were equipped with the appropriate technology in a pilot project operated in a total of four prisons; 25 members of the prison chaplaincy were available for talks at night. The course of the project was documented and evaluated by the Criminological Service of Lower Saxony. The trial phase was evaluated by all concerned as being so successful that four prisons in Lower Saxony are now practicing this concept. On the occasion of its inspection visit to Rosdorf prison, the Commission of the Länder was itself convinced of the concept and suggests expanding it to other prisons. Furthermore, the Commission was pointed towards an additional suicide prophylactic concept in Bavaria: The suicide prophylactic concept in Bavaria The use of so-called “listeners” has been trialled in Munich prison since February 2011 in order to prevent suicides among new arrivals in Bavarian prisons. The concept is based on the following idea: Inmates who are regarded as being latently at risk of suicide are assigned a trained co-inmate from the Social Therapeutic Department of Violent Crime as a so-called listener for their first night in prison. The listener offers to engage the inmates who are to be cared for in conversation, and is hence able to help take away their fear of the prison experience by giving advice. The concept was evaluated by almost all the inmates involved as making sense and being very helpful. Police units Notices to individuals in custody The National Agency finds that individuals in custody are not always comprehensively and promptly informed of their rights, in particular in police units, as well as in the Federal Armed Forces. Emphasis is to be placed here above all on the right to inform family members or 23