CAT/OP/CYP/1 C. 1. Nicosia central prison General issues 30. The Subcommittee is mindful of the efforts made by the State party to improve the material conditions at Nicosia central prison. However, some serious concerns remain. Several convicted foreign nationals, mainly from other European Union countries, have complained of having to wait a long time before being returned to their country of origin to complete their sentences and that the reasons for the delays have not been provided. One person had to wait 22 months. In addition, convicted foreign nationals do not receive visits and have limited access to audio and video communication (two 30-minute Skype calls per month), creating a feeling of abandonment that, over time, can affect their mental health. 31. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party establish an effective system for providing foreign nationals waiting to return to their country of origin with relevant information, including up-to-date information concerning any outstanding appeals, other issues concerning their legal status, including on the determination of their status, and concerning their projected removal. The Subcommittee also recommends that immigration detainees be allowed to have increased levels of regular contact with the outside world. 32. Padlocked complaints boxes are located in various parts of the prison, to allow detainees to complain in writing to the director of the prison and to the ombudsman. Reportedly, complainants have either not received responses to their allegations (concerning visits, clothes, work, the number of telephone calls etc.) or, if they have, have not been told why their complaints have been rejected. As a result, the Subcommittee questions the effectiveness of the complaints mechanism. 33. The Subcommittee recommends that the right to lodge complaints be guaranteed in practice, that complaints be promptly considered and that reasoned decisions be taken and communicated to complainants as soon as possible, within a set time frame. A system for registering the complaints received should be established and information should be recorded on the nature of the complaint, the date on which it was received, the date and nature of the decision taken in respect of the complaint and the subsequent action taken. Those records should be checked regularly by an independent body. Moreover, complainants should be provided with adequately reasoned responses, as well as information on the complaints process itself and on how to appeal negative outcomes. 2. Juvenile wing 34. Despite the recent efforts made to improve the specific activities available to juveniles in detention, the Subcommittee believes that more activities could be provided in order to mitigate the negative effects of detention and the prison-like environment. The Subcommittee underlines the importance of ensuring that a wide range of activities is available to juveniles. Juveniles should be allowed to participate in appropriate activities and be trained in life skills that will be of value to them upon their release, be important for their reintegration into the community, minimize the risk of reoffending and meet their particular need for intellectual stimulation. 35. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party take measures to ensure that the environment in the communal area of the juvenile wing at Nicosia central prison is less prison-like and, to that end, to provide to detainees held in that wing suitable recreational facilities, equipment and activities. 36. During its visit, the Subcommittee found two boys aged 14 who were detained in the juvenile wing of Nicosia central prison. However, the information recorded in the register did not reflect the actual age of the boys. The Subcommittee is concerned about the incoherence and inaccuracy of the information in the juvenile detainee file register, which renders it impossible to trace the presence, history and current status of juveniles in detention. 7