CAT/OP/UKR/3 88. Moreover, the Subcommittee observed that the vehicles used for such transfers were dark, lacking in ventilation and divided into small, cramped cages, with one cage measuring a mere 90 cm2. The Subcommittee is concerned about reports that detainees are not provided food or water when they are transferred to participate in procedural actions and court hearings, even when such transfers last several days. 89. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party evaluate its system of transfers to ensure that transfers are made only after appropriate justifications and that they do not result in detainees being held in short-term detention centres, such as ITTs, for lengthy periods. The Subcommittee also recommends that the State party guarantee that fundamental safeguards, including access to the outside world, legal counsel and medical care, are not unnecessarily interrupted by frequent transfers. 90. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party replace vehicles lacking sufficient space and ventilation. It also recommends that it discontinue the use of full metal cages, which endangers detainees in transport. The Subcommittee further recommends that the State party provide detainees with the food and water to which they are entitled while deprived of their liberty. Children and detention Mother and baby units 91. The Subcommittee positively notes the clean, bright and well-equipped premises for mothers and babies in Chernihiv and Chornomorsk prison colonies. The Chernihiv unit, in particular, includes a playroom, instruments and individual sleeping quarters where detained mothers who have recently given birth can stay with their children. Nevertheless, the Subcommittee considers that these premises can be further adapted for children. For example, rooms for family visits are sterile and lack child-friendly decoration. Visiting rooms in both locations have glass separators, which deprives detainees and their children of the opportunity to bond with visitors in a familial atmosphere. Finally, pregnant women are held with the general prison population in group dormitories located in older, poorly lit facilities. 92. Despite the relatively good material conditions in mother and baby units, the Subcommittee is concerned about the psychological well-being of mothers kept there. It notes with concern the fact that babies are separated from their mothers for several days after birth and during periods of serious illness, which causes anxiety to mothers and could hinder the socialization of their children. While mothers who have given birth live in bright, en suite accommodations with their children in Chernihiv, in Chornomorsk mothers and children do not live together but meet for only two hours twice a day, which is an insufficient bonding period for children’s early development. In addition, as mothers and children share mealtimes, mothers who wish to assist their children during that time must forfeit their own food. The Subcommittee notes with approval the placement of a child psychologist as head of unit in Chernihiv, where mothers and children also benefit from a wide range of activities. However, comparable activities were not observed in Chornomorsk, where there was a lack of records documenting detainees’ psychological and psychiatric history. Moreover, detainees in Chornomorsk showed signs of emotional distress, including tangible anxiety and visible laceration scars on the arms of some women. 93. The Subcommittee is concerned about the treatment of women in Chornomorsk, where abuse and forced labour have been reported. In particular, the Subcommittee has received reports of staff and caregivers verbally abusing mothers and acting aggressively towards their small children. During its visit, the Subcommittee observed detainees being intimidated and made to stand upon the entrance of unit personnel. In addition, the Subcommittee has been made aware of harsh measures, including isolation for up to 10 days and separation from children, imposed as disciplinary measures for infractions. The Subcommittee further notes that all non-pregnant women detained there are required to work, for negligible compensation. In addition, it is alleged that mothers have been punished as retribution for reporting abuses, including by being forced to carry out uncompensated manual labour. 94. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party adapt units accommodating mothers and children to enhance familial bonding between detained 15