prisoners for a country with a population of about 4 million13 means that the prison population rate (at 64,5 per 100,000) is low by European standards. Figures across Europe are generally rising and there have been significant recent rises in Croatia and Serbia.14 Prisons in BiH are classified as “closed-type” or “semi-open” according to the respective Laws on Execution of Criminal Sanctions. These classifications indicate differences in the level of security and execution regime for prisoners; closed-type institutions are meant for prisoners who have committed more serious crimes, and prisoners live with significantly more restrictions. There are two such facilities in the Republika Srpska (Foca and Banja Luka) and one in the Federation of BiH (Zenica). The map below depicts the location of each of the penitentiary institutions in BiH. Section III. Torture and Ill-treatment 1. Torture and physical ill-treatment by prison staff 1.1. Human rights norms and standards According to international human rights standards directly applicable in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a clear prohibition on the use of torture and ill-treatment. Under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Conven13 The figure of four million for the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina is used by the Council of Europe in its Annual Prison Statistics. 14 Please compare CoE Annual Prison statistics, Survey 2005 and 2007 available at: http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/standardsetting/prisons/SPACEI/PCCP_2009_%2001Rapport%20SPACE%20I_2007_090505_final_rev%20.pdf 4