alternative area of the hospital would be activated for isolation, to prevent this. Anyway, the recommendation to intensify efforts to minimize the use of isolation and, where necessary, its use for the shortest period of time possible, can prevent most of the adverse effects which are produced inevitably insufficient soundproofing of the accommodations. In short, the assessment was positive, especially regarding the policy for minimising the impact of the involuntary treatment situations, the underlying culture of respect for the rights and privacy of patients and good maintenance state of the areas visited. Opportunities for improvement have been identified regarding the strengthening and the application of the policy on the use of restraints, the creation of an independent record on the use of restraints, including and clarifying the concept of chemical restraint. Lastly I recommend reducing the use of isolation and the shortening the length of this measure to the minimum possible to further strengthen the rights and dignity of the patients in Hospital Magalhães Lemos. • Recommendation no. 5/2015/MNP Visits no. 14-2014; 16-2014; 3-2015 Entity addressed: General Director of Reintegration and Prison Services Date: 2015.07.15 Subject: Prison facilities. Autonomous Region of the Azores. Social reintegration. Housing conditions I Under the provision contained in subparagraph (b), article 19, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, I recommend that should be taken the following measures: a) Being conducted a detailed study, within 120 days, on the Azorean’s prisoners held in all Portuguese prisons, taking into consideration namely; i) The total number of such prisoners; ii) Their legal and criminal status; iii) Their island of origin and family. b) The social reinsertion of prisoners in Azorean’s prisons takes into account not only the availability in existent infrastructures but also the fact that many prisoners are to be housed in establishment outside their island of origin. That consideration is relevant be it because of parole or because of granting of long/short exit permits. b) An action plan is outlined concerning the improvement of detention conditions in Ponta Delgada Prison (EPPDL), namely in what concerns the separation of prisoners | 83