ACHPR/37/OS/11/437 13 awaiting trial due to unchecked application of remand, lack of an effective parole system, and inefficiency to undertake a speedy investigation of cases. To help reduce overcrowding, the Special Rapporteur suggested the wider application of such measures as mediation, suspended sentences, probation, reduction of sentences, partial release, community service, and amnesty. Generally, men, women and minors are kept separate in prisons, but due to overcrowding, this has not been applied uniformly in all the prisons visited. The Special Rapporteur noted that there is no separation between the accused and the convicts, or between convicts depending on the nature of the offence committed. And with respect to the sick, only those with contagious diseases are temporarily isolated from other prisoners. Again the authorities indicated that overcrowding and lack of space were the reasons for their failure to effectively separate prisoners into strict categories. It is noted, however, that men and women prisoners are separated. There is also an effort to separate minors, adults and the sick although not widely employed. In police stations and the gendarmeries In police stations people are not only detained while awaiting trial, but also while waiting for the courts to give a verdict or for the investigation to come to an end. Here as well, there is a worrying level of overcrowding (Yaunde Police Station) due, among others, to the following reasons: frequent adjournment of hearings by the courts, often due to transport problems or lack of personnel to escort the prisoners to court; lack of respect for the legal limit of detention allowed in relation to police custody; delayed enquiries due in particular to transport problems; arrest of people before the investigation is concluded; insufficient possibilities of legal assistance; and the large number of prisoners held due to bail related problems, bail having been set too high or refused or for being unable to contact ones family to seek for help. Premises Almost all the prisons visited were built during colonial times. They are in a very bad shape, and are at an advanced stage of dilapidation. It is evident that they lacked constant maintenance and repair. It is also difficult to maintain and rehabilitate them because their architecture is incompatible with cheap modifications. The authorities indicated that they lacked sufficient funds to make any improvements. Even if they wished to improve prison conditions, they are faced with the negative public opinion on prison reform and the fact that to do so is not an economic priority for the country. The delegation noted that ventilation and lighting are common problems across the prison premises visited. It becomes worse at such severely overcrowded prisons as the Yaounde and Douala (New Bell) Central Prisons where prisoners complained of suffocation. The same is true with police cells. It’s noted that in most of them, fans are a luxury and openings and/or