General Report of the CPT, 2011-2012 on end. In their response, the Bulgarian authorities describe measures taken to tackle these problems but also stress that progress is hindered by a lack of funds. 62. At Plovdiv and Varna Prisons, the delegation received a number of allegations of physical ill-treatment of prisoners by staff (punches, kicks, abusive resort to truncheons). In their response, the Bulgarian authorities indicate that prison staff are regularly reminded – including in the context of training – that physical force and truncheons can only be applied when necessary to maintain security and good order. The report also highlights that inter-prisoner violence was rife at both prisons, a situation in relation to which overcrowding and low staffing levels were contributing factors. The CPT has recommended the establishment of a national strategy to combat this phenomenon and identified key elements of such a strategy. 63. No allegations were received of physical ill-treatment of patients by staff at Karvuna Psychiatric Hospital. However, at the forensic ward of Lovech Psychiatric Hospital, the delegation heard several allegations of physical illtreatment of patients (including blows with a wooden stick) and of the use of insulting language by certain orderlies. Shortly after the visit, the Bulgarian authorities informed the CPT that, following an internal inquiry, an orderly implicated in the alleged beatings had been dismissed while another staff member had received a warning. 64. The delegation found that living conditions were generally acceptable at the Home for men with intellectual retardation in Oborishte. Further, some improvements had been made at the Home for men with psychiatric disorders in Pastra, as compared to the situation observed by the Committee in 2003. However, the living conditions in Block 3 of the Pastra Home, which was accommodating half of the residents, were unacceptable. In their response, the Bulgarian authorities indicate that the residents concerned have now been transferred elsewhere and that Block 3 has been taken out of service. Report and response published in March 2012, CPT/Inf (2012) 9 and CPT/Inf (2012) 10 Report on the periodic visit to France in November/December 2010 and response of the French authorities (treatment of persons detained by law enforcement officials, conditions in prisons, facilities for “difficult” psychiatric patients and prisoners suffering from psychiatric disorders) 65. Most persons interviewed by the CPT’s delegation had no complaints about the way they were treated when detained by law enforcement officials. However, some allegations were received of excessive use of force at the time of apprehension and of blows inflicted shortly afterwards; further, a number 26