To sum up, the reality found in the Detention zone of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Directorate of Criminal Police is, globally, positive. There is nothing to register negatively, considering the main goals of the visit that was made. • Visit no. 44-2015 Date: 2015.12.18 Location: Estabelecimento Prisional de Vale de Judeus [Vale de Judeus’ Prison Facility] (Lisbon) Subject: Food quality. Protecting procedures and its operating conditions On December 18th, in the afternoon period, it was carried out a visit to the Prison Facility of Vale de Judeus. Food is prepared within the prison compound, though in outsourcing regime. The chief of prison guards exerts some control over food preparation. The food is weighed whenever necessary to ensure compliance with specifications. On the day of the visit, the lunch consisted of vegetable soup, ribs and chickpea stew (a traditional dish). Diet consisted of grilled chicken steak and rice. For dessert there was custard. Food was tasted and had good quality and presentation, though rather low on salt. On a daily basis, the food is tasted by the Director of the Prison. Moreover, there was compliance with the specifications. On a conversation held on the subject of food, some apprehension was detected concerning the lowering capitation resulting from the recent contract specifications put out to tender, that will regulate meals from next year. In short, that might mean a cut down on food for each meal, with negative effects on the levels of satisfaction of the prison population. On the procedures followed whenever inmate safeguard measures become necessary, to the NPM it was told that the prison disciplinary quarters are put to use. The quarters have suitable conditions and are divided in two areas: eight disciplinary cells and eight separation cells (although one of these was temporarily out of use). All cells have toilets and shower, besides a concrete slab and fixed marble shelves. Each area has two courtyards. In terms of safety, the guards have expressed dissatisfaction at the alleged insufficiency of surveillance cameras in the courtyards. These procedures do not exclude the possibility of requesting the Prisons Directorate-General that the prisoner be transferred to another prison. | 65