ESSEX PAPER 3: INITIAL GUIDANCE ON THE INTERPRETATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UN NELSON MANDELA RULES policies in case of fire394 or natural disaster (e.g. floods, storms, mudslides, etc.).395 The InterAmerican Commission has emphasised the obligation to maintain safe electrical installations.396 The Essex group noted that risks from poor infrastructure and an absence of procedures in cases of emergency tend to be overlooked and expressed their concern over situations where prisoners have been left in prison in life-threatening situations. The relevance of prison design was noted as a factor to improve safety in this regard, with the floor plan of any facility aiding or hindering speedy evacuation, edificial layouts that help prevent fire spreading, the location of fire alarms and extinguishing equipment, as well as escape routes, exits and evacuation areas. The UNOPS Technical Guidance for Prison Planning notes that ‘[w]hen considering fire safety and evacuation for the prison, outdoor yards can provide a contained space close to accommodation areas where prisoners can be evacuated until the emergency is resolved’.397 It was stressed that proper equipment needs to be available to react to emergencies and that prison personnel must be trained in evacuation procedures and first aid.398 This implies evacuation plans, which need to be included in prison safety audits. Analysing a number of mass casualties due to fires in Latin America, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights concluded the main causes were ‘overpopulated prisons in a state of physical disrepair’ and the lack of protocols to dealing with these situations even though the risks were known to the authorities.399 The experts discussed that prison administrations may be reluctant to share evacuation plans with prisoners. However, good practice from the UK was referred to where posters give detailed information on fire drills and evacuation procedures to prisoners. The experts highlighted that alarm systems must take into account the local context. For example, they must not rely on electric power if power supply is a problem in the respective country or region, and alternative systems or a back-up generator must be available in such cases. Examples of fire alarm systems are provided in the UNOPS Technical Guidance.400 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Report of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on the Situation of Persons Deprived of their Liberty in Honduras, 18 March 2013, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.147 (IACHR Report on Honduras). The Commission reported on a number of fires resulting in alarming numbers of fatalities amongst prisoners, e.g. in Argentina, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, El Salvador and Panama: see IACHR press releases 33/05, 55/07, 120/10, 8/05, 68/10, 112/10 and 2/11. 394  For example, a report published by the American Civil Liberties Union documents the lack of emergency planning at the Orleans Parish Prison which during Hurricane Katrina resulted in thousands of individuals being trapped. See American Civil Liberties Union, Abandoned & abused: Orleans Parish Prisoners in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina, Washington DC, August 2006. 395  IACHR Report on Persons Deprived of Liberty, para 293 (citing the Report No. 118/10, Case 12.680, Merits, Rafael Arturo Pacheco Teruel et al., Honduras, October 22, 2010, para. 63). 396  Technical Guidance for Prison Planning, p. 99. 397  IACHR Report on Persons Deprived of Liberty, para 293 (citing the Report No. 118/10, Case 12.680, Merits, Rafael Arturo Pacheco Teruel et al., Honduras, October 22, 2010, para. 63). 398  IACHR Report on Persons Deprived of Liberty, para. 292. 399  Technical Guidance for Prison Planning, p. 36. 400  Penal Reform International and the Essex Human Rights Centre | 102