CAT/OP/UKR/1 (d) Ensure that prison staff, in accordance with clear and recorded criteria, undertake individual assessments of security measures applicable to life-sentenced prisoners to determine whether they require restrictive regimes or can function in an ordinary prison environment, in accordance with international standards. 56 133. The SPT also received serious allegations from persons serving a life sentence of torture and ill-treatment. These allegations included systematic beatings, blindfolding, the deliberate non-separation of inmates from persons with active tuberculosis, and the denial of medical assistance. 134. The SPT urges the Ukrainian authorities to proceed to prompt, independent and impartial investigations regarding allegations of torture in penitentiaries holding life prisoners, in accordance with its obligations under UNCAT article 12, and, if these accusations are confirmed, to hold the responsible persons accountable. Situation in women’s prison No. 127 (b) 135. The SPT visited one specialised facility for female prisoners; prison No. 127 in Snizhne. The work regime, disciplinary measures and material conditions imposed on the women in this prison were of grave concern. The SPT was not in a position to ascertain whether similar violations of female prisoners’ rights occur across the country in a systematic manner, therefore, the findings and recommendations contained in the present section refer only to the prison in Snizhne. 136. This notwithstanding, the SPT urges the penitentiary authorities to urgently carry out an inquiry to ensure that the violations outlined in the following are not perpetrated in a systematic manner across Ukraine. 137. The SPT observed a high level of exhaustion among the women as a result of their being required to undertake long hours of mandatory physical work, often reaching 12 hours per day, in addition to two hours of daily chores. The women had allegedly carried 60 tonnes of coal in two days without any protective gear, and carried 50 kg bags of flour and construction materials on a regular basis. Concerns were raised regarding safety hazards related to the work. Payments for work, if received at all, were small. Moreover, because of the monthly deductions from salaries for food and utilities, some prisoners allegedly accumulated debts, which would be charged after their release. The work regime in this prison represents a clear example of exploitation and forced labour, amounting to illtreatment, and requires urgent remedial action from the authorities. 138. Disciplinary measures in the prison were applied in an arbitrary fashion, without the possibility of appeal, and were also applied to elderly women and those who refused to work. The isolation cells were in a particularly bad state of repair and had no toilets. 139. Toilets within the sleeping accommodations were inaccessible during the day. The outside sanitary facilities that women were required to use during the day were in an appalling state, resulting in an accumulation of faeces and urine. Allegedly, the authorities forced certain persons (who complained or refused to work) to clean these. Gloves and masks were not provided, and the prisoners had to clean with their bare hands. The SPT considers that being forced to perform such tasks, especially with the purpose of punishment, amounts to unacceptable ill-treatment. 140. Communication with the outside world, especially with families, was restricted, and the prison administration allegedly decided who would receive visits, depending on their “behaviour”. In case the inmate refused to work, family visits and phone calls were suspended. In addition, in the case of female prisoners, long visits by a civil partner were 56 European Prison Rules, Rules 51 and 53. 23