EN_CPT_AR.book Page 32 Monday, October 25, 2010 5:14 PM CPT General Report 2009-2010 In its response, the PSNI highlights measures being taken to improve care afforded to persons with mental health problems held in police stations. It also states that a feasibility study for a short-term holding facility for immigration detainees is underway, but that funding is currently not available. 62. In its report, the CPT recommends that measures be taken to prevent overcrowding becoming a permanent feature of the prison system, and that cells of 7m² should not accommodate more than one prisoner. In their response, the authorities provide information on measures to increase the use of alternatives to custody and on the development of the prison estate. However, they state that current population levels mean that 7m² cells must continue to be used to accommodate two prisoners, while acknowledging that the cells of this size at Maghaberry Prison were not designed for this purpose. 63. The report refers to several allegations of ill-treatment by members of the Stand-by Search Team (SST) at Maghaberry Prison, and the CPT recommends that action be taken to ensure that the SST does not abuse its powers. More generally, the Committee stresses the importance of prison management following up on all complaints of ill-treatment. Further, in the light of complaints by prisoners, the Committee has recommended the authorities to ensure that all full-body searches are carried out in accordance with the relevant rules and respect the dignity of the prisoner concerned. Measures to reduce the incidence of inter-prisoner violence at Maghaberry Prison are also required. In response, the Northern Ireland Prison Service argues that the very nature of the tasks assigned to the SST (searches, responding to incidents) means that it will always be vulnerable to accusations of ill-treatment. It is stated that every complaint is investigated but that, to date, none have been upheld. Nevertheless, the role of the SST is one of the issues the new management team at Maghaberry Prison will be considering. The Prison Service refutes allegations made by prisoners concerning inappropriate body searches but has reminded staff of the procedure to be followed. Further, it states that measures are being taken to reduce incidents of inter-prisoner violence at Maghaberry Prison, through increased surveillance, education of prisoners and seeking to reintroduce prison staff into the rooms used by prisoners for association. 64. The authorities also provide information on the measures being taken to enhance the provision of health care in prison, and respond to concerns raised in the report in relation to the safeguards in place governing discipline and segregation. In response to the CPT’s recommendation that the complaints system offer appropriate guarantees of independence, impartiality and thoroughness, the authorities provide details on a new internal complaints procedure. Report and response published December 2009, CPT/Inf (2009) 30 and CPT/Inf (2009) 31 32