C HAPTER 7. R IGHT TO CLOTHING AND BEDDING OBJECTIVE The objective of this chapter is to underline how important it is both for the general health of everyone in prison and for the self-respect of the individual that prisoners should have clean and adequate clothing and bedding. ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES Clothing, as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, is a human right. All prisoners not allowed to wear their own clothing shall be provided with suitable clothing. There shall be facilities for keeping clothing clean and in proper condition. All prisoners shall be provided with a separate bed and clean bedding, with facilities for keeping bedding clean. There must be facilities to wash and dry clothing and bedding regularly. BASIS IN INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS Article 11, paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides for the right to clothing as a component of the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living. The Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners require as follows: 17. (1) Every prisoner who is not allowed to wear his own clothing shall be provided with an outfit of clothing suitable for the climate and adequate to keep him in good health. Such clothing shall in no manner be degrading or humiliating. (2) All clothing shall be clean and kept in proper condition. Underclothing shall be changed and washed as often as necessary for the maintenance of hygiene. (3) In exceptional circumstances, whenever a prisoner is removed outside the institution for an authorized purpose, he shall be allowed to wear his own clothing or other inconspicuous clothing. 18. If prisoners are allowed to wear their own clothing, arrangements shall be made on their admission to the institution to ensure that it shall be clean and fit for use. 56