E/CN.4/1995/34 page 86 given only perfunctory and inadequate medical treatment. One such case was that of Nagata Hiroko, whose 1982 death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court in February 1993. In 1984 she had undergone an operation for a brain tumour but continued to suffer pain and fainting spells. By May 1993 she was reportedly so weak that she could barely walk unaided and for several consecutive days she suffered prolonged vomiting spells, despite which she was refused a change of clothes. Although she was in need of sustained medical attention and requested to be hospitalized, this request was allegedly refused. 450. The Government stated that since her periodic examination by brain surgeons and the same. Although she complained in 1993 only 5 cc in volume and it did not include evidence supports that she had requested a operation Nagata Hiroko had received her condition remained more or less that she had vomited, the vomit was the contents of her stomach. No change of clothes at that time. 451. The Special Rapporteur transmitted another letter to the Government on 10 October 1994 concerning the case of Yoichi Isoe, aged 50, who reportedly has been held in solitary confinement since September 1982 in Asahikawa prison in Hokkaido. His placement in solitary confinement was not ordered pursuant to any infraction, but may have been undertaken in retaliation for three lawsuits he had filed against the detention centre in which he had previously been held. The only person he spoke to was his lawyer, about three or four times a year, in conversations always monitored by a guard present and only in regard to his lawsuit. Speaking or other vocalization was said to be strictly forbidden in solitary confinement, and Mr. Isoe reportedly was experiencing difficulty in speaking during his meetings with his lawyer. Although he was permitted one 30-minute family visit per month, his only living relative is an elderly mother for whom it was extremely difficult to travel to the prison, which is located on an island a great distance from where she lives. She had reportedly visited him only twice during his stay in prison. 452. The Government replied that it refrained from disclosing facts regarding specific cases of treatment of inmates in penal institutions in order to protect the rights, the honour and privacy of the concerned. Generally, the purpose of solitary confinement is to protect the inmates who have trouble associating with others or have difficulties in living in a group because of their physical disabilities. It has made correctional treatment more effective and has contributed to the protection of inmates and officers. Jordan Information transmitted to the Government and replies received 453. By letter dated 5 August 1994 the Special Rapporteur advised the Government that he had received information indicating that persons detained by the General Intelligence Department (GID) were almost invariably held in incommunicado detention, sometimes for weeks or months. They were said to be held without access to lawyers or judges until their interrogation was concluded and a confession, if required, was taken. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, public prosecutors were reportedly permitted to renew indefinitely the detention of suspects for periods of up to 15 days at a time and could forbid all contacts with detainees for renewable periods of