CAT/OP/UKR/1 C. Prison colonies 1. Conditions of detention (a) Overcrowding 111. The SPT observed overcrowding in some of the prison colonies visited. For instance, at the time of the visit, there were 1,280 inmates in Luchakivski Prison No. 30, although the institution had a capacity for only 1,100 inmates. As a result, some of the inmates had to share beds or take turns to sleep. 112. The SPT recommends that proper beds and sufficient personal space be made available to all inmates. 53 Overcrowding in prison colonies should be reduced, and a national plan of action should be devised to this end. (b) Material conditions 113. The SPT considered material conditions of the prisons inadequate as regards minimum floor space, water, lighting, heating and ventilation. Prison administrators informed the SPT that their level of official funding did not fully cover their approved budgets and they were expected to make up for the shortfall by engaging in production and seeking humanitarian assistance. 114. The quality of the drinking water in the prisons was deplorable, and inmates reported stomach problems as a result of drinking it. In all the prisons visited, the toilet facilities were in an appalling state. Bathing facilities were substandard and unhygienic, and inmates complained that they had not showered for several weeks. Personal hygiene items were not provided in all the prisons visited and inmates who could not receive such items from outside the prison had to rely on the charity of others. In all prisons, the SPT received complaints from inmates about the quality of the food. 115. The SPT also observed excessive humidity in a significant number of cells, and inadequate heating, ventilation and lighting in all prisons visited, with a lack of appropriate control over these factors by the inmates themselves. 116. Disciplinary and solitary confinement cells in all the prisons visited suffered from particularly poor material conditions and poor hygiene, as regards the quality or absence of drinking water, the poor state of sanitary facilities, as well as inadequate lighting and ventilation, and a lack of activities. 117. The SPT recommends that the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine and other relevant authorities develop a plan of action on the improvement of material conditions in prison colonies with a realistic timeframe for its implementation. Adequate budget resources should be allocated for the realisation of this plan so as to ensure that the basic needs of all persons deprived of their liberty are met. The SPT also recommends that Ukraine cease the practice of under-funding penitentiary establishments and provide the full funding required to run them, irrespective of whether additional funding might be secured through other channels. In particular, the following should be addressed: (a) Ventilation, cubic content of air, minimum floor space, lighting and access to natural light, and adequate heating in cells and dormitories should be guaranteed in accordance with international standards; 54 53 54 20 Standard Minimum Rules, Rule 19. Standard Minimum Rules, Rules 10 and 11.