(2)Prior to a prisoner’s discharge, the appropriate authority seeks, insofar as possible, to resolve any problems that the prisoner will face immediately after release; (3)They work with the bodies responsible for providing pre- and post-release assistance in order to ensure that they are able to provide prisoners with the proper help and support. 112.In short, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has the legal and constitutional power to pursue and investigate acts punishable under criminal law of which it takes cognizance. 113.In order to carry out its duties, the Office has prosecution units that specialize in specific areas and work in coordination with other judicial auxiliaries. 114.However, the particular objectives regarding which the Subcommittee has requested information are protective in nature and fall within the legal powers conferred upon the Ombudsman and the enforcement judges; the latter are attached to the judiciary. Paragraph 312 (d) 115.With regard to paragraph 149, we wish to report that in 2009, all prisons were refurbished. In that connection, it should be noted that improvements were made to the ex sótano wing, the D wing and the cuadrulátero sector of the Tacumbú National Prison. These improvements are described in the present report. Paragraph 312 (e) 116.A health promotion system, managed by inmates trained for that purpose, has been set up in the Tacumbú National Prison. Training was imparted to 83 inmates enrolled in a personal development course covering basic first aid and basic psychology. The first phase of the course began in April and ended on 29 July 2009, and the attending inmates were issued course completion cards. 117.The second phase of the personal development course, which included other inmates who had been selected on the basis of their profile, went into greater depth concerning basic first aid and basic psychology. The second phase ended in December 2009. The objective of the health promotion system is to promote early diagnosis of illnesses, encourage inmates to seek medical treatment and impart basic medical knowledge. Following inmates’ completion of their sentences, the fact that they have acquired this knowledge will boost their self-esteem and thus facilitate their social reintegration. 118.Paraguay’s Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) initiative for dealing with cases of tuberculosis among the prison population was classified as a Category 2 proposal and awarded a US$ 3,900,000 grant by the Global Fund in its ninth round of funding. The project provides for the strict monitoring of patients with HIV/AIDS, since their depressed immune systems heighten their susceptibility to tuberculosis (see annex 2: Ministry of Labour and Justice). Paragraph 312 (f) 119.The solitary confinement wing at Tacumbú National Prison, known as “Alcatraz”, was closed for complete renovation. Over several weeks’ time it was outfitted and structural improvements to it were made, including: improved bathrooms, larger windows, proper ventilation and the provision of mattresses, pillows and sheets. As a result, the cells are now properly equipped for solitary confinement (see annex 2: Ministry of Justice and Labour). Paragraph 312 (h) 120.For financial year 2010, budget allocations to provide meals to persons deprived of their liberty in the various prisons of the country total PYG 19,598,948,084. This amount is broken down by correctional facility. The respective draft budget may be found in annex 2: Ministry of Justice and Labour. 121.Also attached to the present report is a description of the food products (beef, dried foods, canned foods and perishables) purchased by the Ministry of Justice and Labour in 2009 for the various prisons in the country. III. Copies transmitted to the Subcommittee Paragraph 313 (a) 122.The following summary of the activities carried out by the Prison Supervision Unit that was submitted to the Supreme Court of Justice: (a)The main problems identified as a result of the visits made to various prisons and correctional facilities in the country are: The large number of prosecutions poses a problem. The Unit considers cases at the request of inmates and monitors trials, supporting the efforts of the public defender to ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted as speedily as possible in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure. Inmates who can demonstrate that they do not have access to counsel need to be provided with assistance by the Office of the Public Defender. Few work opportunities exist within prisons and there is insufficient vocational training. These shortcomings stem from the lack of prison policies designed to ensure that prisoners are reintegrated into the workforce and from the private sector’s limited interest in investing in prison labour.