BAUMETTES, MARSEILLE (URGENT RECOMMENDATIONS) nine incited no serious remarks. There are, nevertheless, considerable differences between one cell and another. Depending on the cell one is allocated, living conditions can be very different; this explains notably the small number of disciplinary measures taken (as they say “there are other means [of bringing people into line]”). Waste treatment is also a problem in these buildings. The recently installed goods hoists break down frequently - thus everything is carried up or down manually. The electricity supply is insufficient for the institution’s needs: the neon tubes are fragile and one warder has been obliged to carry out his nightly round along the passageways in pitch darkness using his own torch. Between three and five out of the ten showers were in working order in the filthy shower rooms, which means that not all those who are allowed to shower can do so within the prescribed time (the improvements noted in 1966 did not last long). Rats abound in the past two years (they can even be seen during the day) adding to the other nuisances: warders tap with their feet to disperse them when carrying out their rounds at night, not always successfully. The kitchen in the basement was renovated in 1998 but the corridors on this level are in a filthy state. In short, a lack of basic hygiene and cleanliness is to be found throughout a large part of the institution. The clerks of the judges responsible for the execution of sentences (and therefore the judges) and the nurses from the psychiatric unit of the Regional Mental Health Department for Prisons (SMPR - for Services médico-psychologique régionaux) categorically refuse (the latter evoking their independence) to set foot inside the prison. And this is not all: on 29th April 2011, the departmental subcommittee for fire safety called for the institution to be closed. 6/ Certain work has been undertaken. A new wing (building D) was built in 1989, with more comfortable cells usually given to ‘privileged’ prisoners. However, having been badly designed, it allows significant quantities of rainwater to spread into the passageways and cells with every passing shower. There are significant structural faults following certain ground movements such that the building can not be considered a long-term prospect. Admittedly, the small courtyards adjacent to the older buildings have been cordoned off. The new ones are sparsely equipped and above all not protected against the weather. The conduits were refurbished in 2009 without any noticeable effect. The external gates were recently restructured (the “Baumettes 1” project), in particular those where vehicles pass: given 143