V. PROTECTION OF PERSONS DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY AT PLACES FOR THE SERVING OF PUNISHMENTS WITH THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE In 2020, the NPM carried out inspections at four prisons, nine prison hostels and five detention centres with the Ministry of Justice. The inspections of the living conditions found a positive trend in the improvement of the living conditions and reduction in the number of inmates at 18 places for deprivation of liberty with the Ministry of Justice. The majority of the recommendations in the 2019 NPM report were implemented: for example, the closing down of the Smolyan Detention Centre was cancelled; specific recommendations were implemented as regards the use of additional staff positions and additional funds to expand the hostel, renovate the computer lab and cinema, mount sunshades and benches in the spaces for outdoor stay at Belene Prison and purchase the necessary computer equipment. The NPM notes that along with the major problems with respect to which the competent authorities have taken action, there is a group of issues with respect to which no clear commitment to implement the recommendations was demonstrated in 2020. Critical findings The majority of the recommendations made in 2019 have been implemented: for example, the closing down of the Smolyan Detention Centre was cancelled. However, there is a whole group of problems with respect to which no clear commitment to implement the recommendations was demonstrated in 2020; the most significant ones remain medical care and social work with the persons deprived of liberty. Main recommendation not implemented over the years: Improve the system of funding for social and health workers by introducing a new human resource policy; Make systemic efforts to resolve the problem with cockroaches and bedbugs at places for deprivation of liberty; A systemic deficiency the NPM has found over the years is the lack of budget funding for adequate activities in the tasks of social workers. The newly renovated detention centres do not Take action to amend the EPDCA as regards “Medical Care” taking into account the national health system; 17