Monitoring activities a. Inspections to assess anti-COVID 19 measures The Commission visited the Champ-Dollon Prison and the Favra Administrative Detention Centre in December 2020. The purpose of these two visits was to assess anti-COVID 19 measures and their impact on the freedom of movement of inmates at these two detention facilities. i. Champ-Dollon Prison (GE)12 The Commission was pleased to note that all inmates were regularly informed by various means and in different languages of the health risks and the measures that needed to be taken to prevent the spread of virus. After only a short interruption, daily open-air walks and visits were resumed. However, the containment measures exacerbated three persistent problems at the Champ-Dollon Prison, namely: chronic overcrowding, insufficient number of phone booths, which made regular contact with the outside world much more difficult, and confinement lasting 23 hours per day. The Commission considers the latter to be inadequate, notwithstanding the measures needed to contain the pandemic (e.g. isolation orders). Furthermore, the Commission is concerned that, given the postponement of numerous short sentences, overcrowding in ChampDollon Prison will increase again after the crisis period has passed. The Commission feels that this alarming situation must be taken into account in policymaking discussions on the Geneva cantonal correctional system and courts. ii. Favra Administrative Detention Centre (GE) The facility was temporarily closed from 22 March to 1 July 2020 due to COVID-related travel restrictions and the corresponding suspension of return flights. During this time, renovation work was carried out at the detention centre. The Commission was pleased to note that inmates can now receive calls from outside in the phone booths located on each floor. In light of recent Federal Supreme Court rulings, the Commission reiterated its finding that Letter to the Geneva Cantonal Council concerning the NCPT’s inspection visit to the Champ-Dollon and Favra facilities on 17 December 2020. 12 12 Activity report NCPT 2020