The knowledge of the epidemic situation was quite extensive in the establishments, which was a positive aspect. Inmates knew what specific restrictions were introduced and until when. They indicated several sources of information on the situation. Inmates in the Sztum prison reported that they felt secure and that their overall mood was normal. They demonstrated their understanding for the reasons of the introduced limitations such as the suspension of visits from outside and the inmates’ work outside the prison. When asked about what they would like to change in the functioning of the establishment, they mainly referred to the poor quality of the walking yards and the limited use of the main association room245. The situation was similar also in some other establishments246. The Director of the remand prison in Białystok and the inmates reported that the mood in the establishment seemed positive. Prisoners had a reasonable attitude to the pandemic-related limitations, and no related increase in aggression or violence levels were reported. The number of self-injuries had not increased either. A psychologist working in the establishment confirmed that in general, the atmosphere had not significantly deteriorated and that the increase in the demand for psychologist consultations was not large. However, some inmates emphasized that despite the possibility of contacting their family members by phone or via Skype, they missed their families and that the lack of personal contacts was strongly felt by them247. The NMPT was informed about an increase in the level of negative emotions in the remand prison in Międzyrzecz, during the monitoring visit there. The prisoners stated that various restrictions were lifted, according to the news, but the visits to prisoners were not restored. The inmates also complained of boredom and of the fact that, in principle, they had to spend all days in their cells that the walking yards were small and the walking groups were overcrowded. There were also complaints concerning common rooms within the wards. According to the inmates the rooms were „smaller than the cell"248. Group protest at the prison in Chełm On 11 April 2020, about 80 prisoners conducted a protest action, and refused to eat two meals (breakfast and lunch). Their demands were related, first of all, to the suspension of the visits249. The prisoners, furthermore, protested against: 245 See: Report on the NMPT visit to the prison in Sztum (KMP. 571.10.2020). 246 See: Reports on the NMPT visits to the prison in Bydgoszcz-Fordon (KMP.571.24.2020) and the remand prison in Kraków (KMP.571.9.2020). 247 See: Report on the NMPT visits to the remand prison in Białystok (KMP.571.17.2020). 248 See: Report on the NMPT visit to the remand prison in Międzyrzecz (KMP.571.16.2020). 249 See: Report on the NMPT visit to the prison in Chełm (KMP.571.14.2020). 92