DOC/OS(XXXIII)/324c/I 21 In police cells, electric equipment is often damaged or purposely disconnected to avoid the risk of electrocution or fire. Consequently, the prisoners live in darkness for a considerable part of the day (Wanaheda police station). Elsewhere, the lights are switched off at 9:00 pm and are switched on or come on again at around 5:00 am. Devices for emergency calls and for communication The cells and various prison buildings are equipped with interphones linked to a central panel that allow both inmates and staff in the central office of the prison and in each section to communicate during the night in case of emergencies and during the daytime (calling prisoners to the visiting rooms, staff, etc.). However, the interphones in the cells and dormitories are not always in working order (Walvis Bay, Oluno, Hardap), yet they represent the only means of ensuring that a detainee's call for help during the night is not left unanswered. They are all the more necessary as the architecture of the buildings themselves makes natural communication between the various units impossible. Each section is locked and remains isolated when night falls. In police stations, cells are not equipped with any calling or communication system apart from hammering on the doors or during the rounds made by staff. Many inmates have complained that staff do not answer their calls when there are problems at other times than during the rounds. Kitchens Prisons are equipped with costly modern, professional kitchens adjoining the refectories that are well equipped and maintained. Each prisoner receives a spoon and his meal on a metal plate. However, some prisoners complained that the spoon handle was too short, making it difficult and humiliating to use. In E. Nepemba centre, which is under construction, the present kitchen is equipped only with a rustic wood fire and is located in a very old building. A new and modern kitchen is planned and should be built by 2003, at which time construction of the centre should be finished. Police stations usually have only small inadequate facilities, often partly unusable. The utensils (spoons, plates and pots) are insufficient and in a bad state. The storerooms are inadequate. The whole premises are often badly laid out and dirty. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the police authorities should find the means to repair all the kitchens and bring them up to standard, improving general maintenance, materials, utensils and food storage methods. Refectories Prisons have large common refectories or smaller refectories located in certain sections (women, juveniles). Most of them are equipped with rows of long tables with benches or stools. The prisoners go there for their meals in turns by section. On the day of the delegation's visit, some contained no furniture and were not in use, and the prisoners took their meals in the courtyard (Omaruru). There are no refectories in police stations. Meals are prepared in the kitchen and taken to prisoners who eat in their cells.