E/CN.4/1997/7 page 31 agencies. The Government planned in the medium to long term to upgrade facilities for teenage girls. It was also taking steps to expedite hearings and provide better learning facilities for those in the care of the State. In addition, visiting committees, comprising Justices of the Peace, served to bring to the attention of the relevant authorities any weaknesses in the system, with an emphasis on human rights. The Government was acutely aware of the importance of protecting persons in lock-ups and correctional institutions from abuse. Personnel were constantly reminded that juveniles and young persons must be treated strictly in accordance with existing legislation and appropriate action was taken when violence occurred. Jordan 126. The Special Rapporteur transmitted one individual case to which the Government provided a reply. Kazakstan 127. The Special Rapporteur transmitted one individual case and made one urgent appeal on behalf of one person. Kenya 128. By letter dated 24 January 1996 the Special Rapporteur informed the Government that he had continued to receive reports indicating that the use of torture and ill-treatment by officers of the Directorate of Security Intelligence (DSI or “Special Branch”) and the Criminal Intelligence Department (CID) was widespread. The regular police, local administrative police and the KANU Youth Wingers (the youth division of the ruling party, the Kenyan African National Union) are also alleged to carry out torture. Torture and ill-treatment were reportedly inflicted to intimidate detainees, to dissuade them from engaging in political activities, to obtain “confessions” or other information, and to extract bribes. 129. Although detainees accused of offences for which the death penalty is not applicable are legally permitted to be held incommunicado for no more than 24 hours, in practice such detainees were reportedly often held incommunicado well beyond this period. (Persons accused of offences carrying the death penalty may be held incommunicado legally for up to 14 days.) It was reported that in order to maintain a state of incommunicado detention, officers often move detainees from one station to another upon arrest. It is during periods of incommunicado detention that most torture and ill-treatment occurs. 130. The methods of torture reported to be the most common include beatings with sticks, fists, rungus (knobbed sticks), handles of hoes and guns on various parts of the body, especially the soles of the feet; beatings to the soles of the feet while being suspended upside down on a stick passed behind the knees and in front of the elbows; and infliction of simultaneous blows to both ears, sometimes resulting in ruptured ear drums. Other forms of torture reported were the removal of toenails and fingernails; near-asphyxiation caused by the immersion of the head in dirty water; being held in a cell filled with two inches of water for several days (the “swimming pool”); beatings administered while the victim is suspended from a tree in the forest