CAT/OP/UKR/1 125. The SPT recommends that the State party take practical steps to guarantee the right of inmates to submit petitions or appeals regarding their treatment, including disciplinary measures, without fear of reprisals, to an independent authority with appropriate remedial powers, as a basic safeguard against torture and ill-treatment. 126. The SPT noted with serious concern that in some prison colonies a “cage” – a small cell with bars – was allegedly used as a punishment cell. This space was not equipped with sanitary facilities and several inmates stated that they were exposed to cold temperatures there. Such placement was not recorded nor authorized by the rules, and prison staff denied the existence of such a facility. 127. The SPT considers that the punishment of inmates by their placement in “cage” cells amount to ill-treatment. This practice should cease immediately, be subject to investigation and the responsible officers held accountable. 2. Torture and ill-treatment (a) Situation of persons serving a life sentence 128. Conditions observed by the SPT in the sectors for prisoners serving life sentences in Yenakievo prison No. 52 and Sokal prison No. 47 amounted to ill-treatment. The SPT noted the absence or poor quality of water, the poor state of sanitary facilities, inadequate lighting and ventilation, and unavailability of personal hygiene items. 129. The right to take part in meaningful cultural, sports or educational activities were granted only after serving 15 years. Some interviewees complained that they spent less than an hour daily out of their cells and that, sometimes, they could only walk handcuffed. 130. The SPT observed with concern that retired and disabled inmates serving life sentence were de facto deprived of work opportunities, and since they also did not receive payment of pensions during the whole period of their sentence, they were often impoverished. 131. Security and visiting regimes applied to persons serving a life sentence were much stricter than those applied to other prisoners, and were in general equivalent to a permanent disciplinary regime. There was an automatic assumption on the part of prison staff that all life prisoners were extremely dangerous. Consequently, security measures were exceedingly restrictive, even for the elderly and frail. Persons serving a life sentence were entitled to a four-hour long visit only once every 3 months. These visits took place under the close supervision of prison staff and did not allow for any privacy. 132. The SPT considers that the conditions of detention and prison regime applied to persons serving a life sentence constitute ill-treatment. In accordance with international standards,55 the SPT calls upon the State party to take all necessary steps to: (a) Improve material conditions for life prisoners, including running water, provisions of drinking water, toilets and sanitary conditions; (b) Remedy the lack of activities for life prisoners, including sports and income-generating activities; (c) Ensure that inmates are treated on an equal basis and without discrimination, including that visiting rules for persons serving a life sentence be harmonized with those applicable to other groups of inmates; 55 22 Including the Standard Minimum Rules, the United Nations Recommendations on Life Imprisonment, and the European Prison Rules.