(3) Where necessary and practicable the prisoner shall be allowed to make his defence through an interpreter. 31. Corporal punishment, punishment by placing in a dark cell, and all cruel, inhuman or degrading punishments shall be completely prohibited as punishments for disciplinary offences. 32. (1) Punishment by close confinement or reduction of diet shall never be inflicted unless the medical officer has examined the prisoner and certified in writing that he is fit to sustain it. (2) The same shall apply to any other punishment that may be prejudicial to the physical or mental health of a prisoner. In no case may such punishment be contrary to or depart from the principle stated in rule 31. (3) The medical officer shall visit daily prisoners undergoing such punishments and shall advise the director if he considers the termination or alteration of the punishment is necessary on grounds of physical or mental health. 33. Instruments of restraint, such as handcuffs, chains, irons and straitjackets, shall never be applied as a punishment. ... Principle 30, paragraph 2, of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment provides that a detained or imprisoned person who has been subject to disciplinary action shall have the right to bring such action to higher authorities for review. Principle 3 of the Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment underlines the need for doctors to maintain independence in matters of punishment: It is a contravention of medical ethics for health personnel, particularly physicians, to be involved in any professional relationship with prisoners or detainees the purpose of which is not solely to evaluate, protect or improve their physical and mental health. Principle 7 of the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners refers to the use of solitary confinement as a punishment: Efforts addressed to the abolition of solitary confinement as a punishment, or to the restriction of its use, should be undertaken and encouraged. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in article 8, paragraph 3, makes one further restriction on the type of punishment which may be imposed: (a) No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour; (b) Paragraph 3 (a) shall not be held to preclude, in countries where imprisonment with hard labour may be imposed as a punishment for a crime, the performance of hard 92