CAT/OP/UKR/1 (b) Prisons should have adequate and hygienic shower/bathing and toilet facilities in a proper state of repair, sufficient for personal hygiene, washing of clothes and waste disposal; (c) Food should be nutritious, effectively distributed to all inmates and prepared and served in a proper and decent manner; (d) Clean drinking water should be provided to every prisoner whenever s/he needs it. (c) Work, cultural and educational activities 118. The SPT noted that there were opportunities for work in all the prisons visited. However, although work opportunities existed, the number of jobs was not commensurate to the size of the prison population. Low wages, when combined with the systematic practice of deducting costs of food and utilities, meant that prisoners were working without any meaningful remuneration at all, and often acquired debts to the state. The only incentive to work was the possibility to be released on parole. 119. The SPT was pleased to learn that secondary, vocational and, sometimes, even higher educational opportunities existed in all the prisons visited. Cultural, educational and recreational activities were also available in some of the prisons visited. Sports facilities in all the prisons visited were inadequate. 120. The SPT recommends that all prisoners without exception be given access to work, educational and cultural activities, and that a library with a sufficient number of newspapers, educational and recreational books, and expanded opportunities for sports activities be made available in all prisons. The SPT further recommends that the systematic practice of deducting costs of food and utilities from monies and payments received by prisoners should be suspended. Instead, a part of the earnings should be set aside by the administration so as to constitute a savings fund to be handed over to the inmate on his/her release. (d) Contact with the outside world 121. Inmates were generally able to receive visits. A 3-day visit with overnight stays was allowed once in three months. Short-term visits (up to 4 hours) without overnight stay were permitted on a monthly basis. The SPT found that the facilities for visits were adequate and ensured privacy during visits by family members. The SPT noted, however, the high cost of overnight visits, which would have a discriminatory effect against those inmates who cannot afford it. 122. The SPT recommends that spouses and children staying overnight should only be charged in relation to any costs actually incurred (e.g. food). (e) Discipline and sanction 123. Disciplinary measures appeared to be applied arbitrarily or inconsistently. Several inmates told the SPT that in some cases a warning was issued while in other cases a similar offence resulted in the placement in a disciplinary cell. A register detailing an offence and sanction was maintained in all prisons visited, containing satisfactory information on each inmate’s punishments and recognitions. 124. A sample of personal files checked by the SPT confirmed that inmates were generally informed of the offence alleged against them and given an opportunity to present their defence. Inmates interviewed by the SPT reported however that while they signed a paper advising them of their rights, they were never provided with information on the procedure and the modalities of appeal against disciplinary measures and none of them considered doing so. The overall attitude was one of resignation and fear of reprisals. 21

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