Report of the Human Rights Defender on the activities of the National Preventive Mechanism in Poland in 2012 ments133 the living conditions were so appalling (strong odour of urine coming from the walls and the floor of the rooms soaked with urine) that, according to the NPM representatives, keeping people in such conditions for a long period should be considered inhuman treatment. In another Detention Room134 the visiting team found that the condition of the rooms, and in particular of the toilets, could lead to a breach of the rights of detained persons, and thus the NPM employees recommended carrying out a major renovation. In several establishments the condition of sanitary facilities posed a  major problem135. Shower screens were frequently installed too low, or there were no screens at all, and persons taking a shower did not have sufficient intimacy ensured. Only 2 of the visited establishments136 were adjusted to the needs of disabled persons and only one was equipped with a wheelchair137. As disabled persons may be placed in Detention Rooms, the NPM representatives recommended that the need for the modernisation of PDRs be included in the investment plans because, if the conditions in those establishments do not change, such persons will not be able to use sanitary facilities or move around the premises on their own. In some establishments a  necessary recommendation was to provide soap, towels or feminine hygiene products to detainees138. Due to the poor condition of the mattresses, blankets or pillowcases, the NPM employees recommended the purchase of new equipment or regular cleaning or washing of the items provided to detainees139. The lighting of the rooms was another issue requiring change in some Detention Rooms. In some of the rooms for detained persons the light switched on at night was as intense as during the daytime140. According to the NPM representatives, using less bright light for surveillance of the rooms at night would allow detainees to rest at night. PDR in Wałbrzych. PDRs: Tuchola. 135 PDRs: Kościerzyna Żagań, Wałbrzych, Wejherowo, Warszawa-Wawer, Tczew, Poznań-Stare Miasto, Gdańsk, Dzierżoniów, Brzozowo, Kartuzy, Łódź. 136 PDRs in Warszawa VI, Końskie. 137 PDR in Ełk. 138 PDRs: Środa Śląska, Wejherowo, Warszawa-Wawer, Tuchola, Końskie, Człuchów, Warszawa IV, Ostróda. 139 PDRs: Gdańsk, Toruń, Ostróda, Olsztyn, Dzierżoniów, Piastów, Trzebnica, Iława. 140 PDRs: Środa Śląska, Olsztyn, Trzebnica, Oleśnica. 133 134 68