are unclear. Moreover, the system widens the differences between the living conditions of those who have sufficient economic means to consume and others who do not. Since, moreover, the merchandise comes in from outside, the Subcommittee wonders how the “businesses” affect the entry of drugs into the prison. 244. The Subcommittee recommends that the Honduran authorities ensure that all prisoners (male and female) have at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily, in line with the minimum international standards. It further recommends that all prisoners be given access to work opportunities and educational and cultural activities, on an equal basis and free of charge, and that a library adequately stocked with educational and recreational books be made available. 245. The Subcommittee further recommends that the system of authorizations for engaging in commercial activity in prisons be reviewed and regulated (the review to include a determination of its impact on prisoners’ enjoyment of their rights), and that the “market” be gradually shut down. Contact with the outside world 246.A number of inmates told the Subcommittee of the fear they felt as a result of threats to suspend their conjugal and family visits. Some complained that they did not receive visits because their families lived in other cities and stated that they had received no reply to their constant requests to be transferred to other prisons closer by. One inmate said that the wives and girlfriends of some prisoners had complained at being searched by male staff on entering the Marco Aurelio Soto Prison in Tegucigalpa. 247.The Subcommittee observed that some groups of inmates are kept in their wings and have no contact with the rest of the prison population. It learned that 45 high-risk prisoners are held in a single cell in San Pedro Sula Prison and are never permitted to go out. 248. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party take measures to ensure that all persons deprived of their liberty have the right to receive visits, to correspond with their family and friends, and to maintain contact with the outside world. Any measure that discourages visits that prisoners are entitled to should be avoided. The State party should examine the individual case of each prisoner and whenever possible arrange for transfer to a prison near the place where their family lives. Lack of monitoring mechanisms 249.Although the staff of both prisons informed the Subcommittee that some officials, such as public defenders and prosecutors came to the prison on a daily basis, all the inmates interviewed in both prisons stated that they had never been visited in their wings by the enforcement judge, CONADEH staff or the Office of the Attorney for Human Rights. Moreover, the staff of the San Pedro Sula Prison admitted that some inmates are still in prison despite having completed their sentences a number of years ago, explaining that they had never received instructions from the enforcement judges. One inmate stated that he had been in the prison for 23 years and had never been sentenced. 250. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to strengthen the offices responsible for ensuring respect for the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, so that they are in a position to fulfil their mandate effectively and responsibly. 251. The Subcommittee further recommends that an assessment of the legal situation of each prisoner be swiftly carried out and immediate release granted to prisoners who have served their sentences. The Subcommittee also recommends the establishment of a database containing basic case information, which should permit the prison authorities and the enforcement judges to be constantly aware of the situation of every person awaiting trial, in accordance with relevant laws and court rulings. Incidents in the so-called “dead zone” of the Tegucigalpa prison 252.The Subcommittee found from the records for 2009 of the Marco Aurelio Soto Prison in Tegucigalpa that there had been 12 deaths. One person had died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the police in the so-called “dead zone” as he was trying to escape. Another inmate died during an uprising from a shot to his head fired by a police officer. Three others received gunshot wounds. Three deaths under unclear circumstances are recorded, reference being made only to shots fired by police and an explosion in the prison. Two inmates died from shots fired by other inmates. In one of the cases, the victim was in a maximum security cell. Also recorded were the cases of two prisoners who died from knife wounds inflicted by other inmates. One person was found hanged by the neck and his case was noted as suicide. Two inmates were listed as having died of “natural causes”. The Subcommittee finds that the register of deaths reflects the high level of violence prevailing in the prison and demonstrates that the prison staff reacts with excessive use of force, including lethal fire. 253.With regard to the escape of 18 prisoners that occurred on 18 July 2009, the prison staff indicated that one of the fugitives was caught, and the other 17 were found dead. The prison warden stated that the perpetrators were members of a rival gang. The Subcommittee also heard the versions of several inmates, who said the perpetrators were agents of the National Criminal Investigation Directorate (DNIC). 254.The Subcommittee told the administrator of the Tegucigalpa prison that if any prisoner was sighted in the “dead zone”, the guards had clear instructions to use any means to prevent escape. The Subcommittee noted that the prison staff do not have rubber bullets and therefore use metal ones. 255. The Subcommittee recommends that: