Reaction: The cell furniture was being gradually replaced, and almost all the cells in one department had been equipped with new furniture. 33 cells were occupied with two inmates on the day of the visit. Some of the doubly-occupied cells only had an area of 8.97 m². The Commission considers that such small cells may at most be doubly occupied by way of exception and only for a short period. Inmates must be enabled to spend a considerable part of the day outside this cell, at least during the week, for instance in a workshop. A floor area of at least 6 to 7 m² per accommodated inmate is generally required as the standard in Germany for multiple occupancy.21 Human dignity may be affected in the view of the Joint Commission if fewer than 5 m² are available.22 Reaction: The principle of single accommodation was said to apply, albeit exceptions were possible on a temporary basis where this was necessary in order to prevent self-injury or suicide and also took place on a voluntary basis on the part of the incoming inmate. Cells had to be equipped accordingly. Joint accommodation was to be documented and examined within one week as to whether it was necessary. After a renewed indication from the Joint Commission as to the necessary minimum size also with voluntary double occupancy, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Justice stated that the remaining instances of joint detention were being successively done away with. Information sheets for inmates on the Prison Act were available in several languages. The 2004 prison rules were however only given to the Joint Commission in German. The prison governor stated that there was also an edition in English. It should also be kept in the main languages spoken by the inmates. Neither the information sheets nor the prison rules were up-to-date. Reaction: The information sheets were to be renewed when the new Land Prison Act was introduced. The Joint Commission had been inadvertently given an out-ofdate version of the prison rules when it visited. The latest version was from 22 March 2011. It would be translated into the main languages soon. 5.1.5 Kassel I prison The Joint Commission visited Kassel I prison on 22 August 2012. Kassel I prison is responsible for the execution of prison sentences of more than 24 months handed down to adult male criminal convicts, as well as for the execution of remand detention to adult male inmates. Short-term sentences are also executed. Cf. the indications in the Order of the Federal Constitutional Court of 13 November 2007, 2 BvR 2201/05, JURIS marginal no. 16 22 Cf. Annual Report 2010/2011, loc. cit., pp. 19 et seqq. 21 49