The Commission inspected the penal detention wing with sanitary areas, the remand detention department, the arrivals department, the transport department, the visiting area, the yard area, specially-secured cells containing no dangerous objects, the cellular confinement cell, windowless cells, the “addiction-free life” accommodation group, the clothing store and the control centre. The out-patient department and the infirmary were inspected by an external medical expert who was supporting the Commission. The Joint Commission held meetings with the prison governor, with staff members of various departments and with the staff council. The Commission also spoke to several inmates, including an inmate who was in cellular confinement at the time of the visit. Positive findings The constructional concept of the prison is generous. The inmates have several attractively-designed yards for their exercise periods. The level of cleanliness in the entire prison is remarkable, particularly given that construction measures are still ongoing. The colour scheme of the interior helps create a pleasant atmosphere. Recommendations by the Joint Commission and the reaction of Brandenburg Ministry of Justice The cell containing no dangerous objects was considerably over-heated, at a temperature of over 30 degrees. The prison governor stated that it was no longer possible to regulate the heating system because it was so old, and that this room was therefore no longer in use. If accommodation in a specially-secured cell was necessary, he used the infirmary as an alternative, where the psychiatric beds were used. Because inmates wore their normal prison clothing in this cell, the hinges and edges of the windows, which do not close flush with the wall, constitute a considerable danger for suicidal acts. The prison governor stated that he was considering procuring anti-suicide clothing. In the control centre, the Joint Commission inspected the camera setting of the specially-secured cell and discovered that it was possible to see the entire toilet area via the camera. The Commission recommends to partly pixelate the toilet area. Reaction: The specially-secured cell was now no longer being used. A new specially-secured cell was currently being built in the course of the repairs that were being carried out in the prison, and this would comply with the Commission’s recommendations, both as to the prevalent temperature and to the construction. In particular, the room would no longer have window hinges or edges, so that there would also no longer be a risk with regard to suicidal acts. The procurement of sui- 54

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