DOC/OS(XXXIII)/324c/I 31 Open air and restrictions In prison, due to lack of sufficient staff, the time spent outdoors exercising is very limited. The regime changes slightly from one prison to another. The inmates in Windhoek prison come out of their cells for breakfast around 7:30 am. Those who do not work return to their cells at around 8:30 am. They come out again for 30 minutes during the morning, and then from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, at which time they eat their dinner before returning to their cells until the following morning. Juveniles are out of their cells from 7:00 to 12:00 am, and then again from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. At Oluno prison inmates return to their cells earlier on Saturdays and Sundays (2:00 pm). It should be noted that inmates' timetables for leaving their cells may vary a little from one prison to another, but on the whole those who do not work spend an average of only 21/2 hours outside their cells. Those who work leave their cells at around 7:30 am and return at 3:30 pm after dinner. In police stations, prisoners may go to the small courtyard next to their cell, but are never allowed to leave their section except for visits or when they have to attend court. On the other hand, because there is not an adjacent courtyard, women prisoners in the police station of Wanaheda never leave their cells. The police officers could remedy this situation by using a small closed courtyard with bars near the women's cell, which at the moment is only being utilised for loading and unloading trucks. Rules, discipline and sanctions In principle, the prison law provides for prisoners to be informed verbally and in writing about the internal rules, discipline and sanctions. Information is given to new arrivals and repeated during small meetings by the staff (once a month at Walvis Bay since 2000). Furthermore, a small new brochure containing information regarding rules, timetables, internal organisation, etc should be given to each prisoner. At Windhoek prison each cell has a copy of the prison law. A summary of the prison law with information regarding offences which can result in punishments is sometimes on display on the cell doors (juvenile section at Walvis Bay, Omaruru prison, E. Nepemba Juvenile Centre). In spite of these procedures, many prisoners still complain that they have not been sufficiently informed (Walvis Bay). In the case of a breach of prison rules, the prisoner is first heard then an inquiry is conducted followed eventually if found guilty by punishment, according to the prison law: • Loss of reduction in sentence • Reduction of privileges and earnings • Solitary confinement, for a period which must not exceed 14 days. After that, a decision to maintain solitary confinement can only be made by the Commissioner of Prisons or by the Minister himself. Solitary confinement is no longer used as a disciplinary measure, but the Officers in charge in Walvis Bay, Oluno and Omaruru informed the Special Rapporteur that they occasionally have recourse to it. The female prisoners at Oluno prison confirmed that individual cells were used to isolate and punish. The regime of detention in solitary confinement should not involve any additional punishment. Meals should be served as usual, as well as visiting rights, exercise time, etc. Yet, prisoners at Omaruru and Oluno prisons have testified that they were kept in solitary confinement with shorter rations for 10 days as a disciplinary action. Women at Oluno prison stated that those kept in solitary confinement did not have the right