CAT/OP/GAB/1 D. Education, training and staff recruitment 46. In prisons, the Subcommittee noted a chronic shortage of staff (for example, the central prison in Port-Gentil had two shifts of 4 officers for 373 detainees) and a lack of staff training. The Subcommittee also observed that there is no requirement for a minimum level of education in the recruitment of prison staff. As a result, according to the testimonies gathered, prison officials do not possess a sufficient level of education, their training is inadequate and they are not up to the task, leading to mistakes. 47. The Subcommittee takes note of recent initiatives in police stations and gendarmeries to raise awareness among staff of the prohibition of torture, in particular by putting up posters on the matter in police stations. It nevertheless notes the inadequacy of these measures and the paucity of the human rights training provided to staff both during courses of study and through in -service training. 48. The Subcommittee underscores the importance of training law enforcement personnel, especially those involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of detainees. It recalls that, under articles 10 and 11 of the Convention, the State party has the obligation to ensure that education and information regarding the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment are an integral part of the training of such personnel and that interrogation instructions and practices, as well as arrangements for the custody of detainees, are in accordance with the Convention. Moreover, the Subcommittee requests that the authorities train criminal investigation officers in techniques for interrogating minors who have committed or fallen victim to an offence. 49. The Subcommittee recommends that the authorities incorporate human rights in the study programme for law enforcement officials and prison staff, and that they train judges, prosecutors and lawyers in human rights in the administration of justice. 50. The Subcommittee encourages the authorities to revise the recruitment criteria for prison staff by establishing a requirement for a minimum level of education and recruiting more female prison and police officers. VI. Situation of persons deprived of their liberty A. Gendarmerie and police stations 7 (i) Torture and ill-treatment 51. The Subcommittee notes with deep concern the frequent use of torture and ill treatment against persons held in custody in police stations and gendarmeries, and their almost systematic use in the premises of the criminal investigation dep artment that the Subcommittee visited. Persons held in custody are routinely tortured, without any specific objective and even before being brought before a judicial authority. During its visit, the Subcommittee heard many allegations and corroborating testimony concerning the methods used, including “the bridge”, in which the victim is suspended from an iron bar placed between two chairs and is beaten on the soles of the feet and the legs with machetes, iron bars, electrical cables or plastic pipes, is subjected to electric shocks in the mouth or anus, or even sometimes raped. Witnesses reported daily and almost systematic beatings and sexual violence in the premises of the Libreville criminal investigation department. The Subcommittee was able to attest __________________ 7 GE. 15-10283 The term “police stations” also covers those of the criminal investigation department. 11/24