punishments imposed under Article 101 of the EPRCA was lower than in previous years in the ‘Varna’ PH, whereas the number of disciplinary sanctions imposed on inmates in the ‘Razdelna’ PH was significant and exceeded one hundred. The number of paroled inmates remained relatively low. 1.7. The NPM notes that in 2015 the understaffing problem remained unresolved both in the Varna prison and in the ‘Varna’ and ‘Razdelna’ PHs. Lack of social work inspectors hampers both individual casework and group work and leads to work overload of available social workers. The NPM observed that the number of correctional officers (prison guards) is also insufficient. Poor working conditions and lack of regular training are problems facing the entire penitentiary system, which affect the overall performance of prison officers and contribute to disciplinary infractions. The NPM insists that:    the prison kitchen be overhauled and its worn-out equipment be replaced; measures be taken to fill vacant staff positions both at the prison and at the prison hostels; a pest control company be contracted to carry out monthly disinfection, insect removal, and rat extermination. THE PRISON IN THE CITY OF SLIVEN 1.1. Based on the inspections performed in the period between 2012 and 2014, the NPM did not observe any significant improvement in the prison’s physical environment and property despite the recommendations to that effect. The main cellhouse and the prison hostels were not overcrowded and the living space per prisoner amounted to 4.76 square metres. The positive trend of housing the three inmates sentenced to imprisonment for life in cells sharing a common corridor with normal prison population had been maintained. The cells still do not have in-cell sanitation. At night the prison operates a ‘toilet patrol’. This entails prison officers unlocking prisoners from their cells to allow them to use the toilet facilities. When the ‘toilet patrol’ does not operate, the sanitary requirements are met by buckets. The NPM has repeatedly emphasized the need to have this problem solved and therefore welcomes the recently adopted practice of leaving certain cells unlocked overnight. The unlocked cells house females who have medical problems or who maintain good behaviour, so they can have unlimited around-the-clock access to the shared sanitation facilities. This, however, is hardly an acceptable solution to the existing in-cell sanitation problem. This situation, exacerbated by the shortage of prison guards, amounts to inhuman and degrading treatment of female inmates in Bulgaria’s only women’s prison. As to earlier recommendations made by the NPM, it was established that the DGEP’s planned capital expenditures for 2015 included funding for a ‘Remodelling the Prison’s Building’ Project. The project can be funded by the Prisons Production Fund (a State-owned enterprise), or through economies effected under Project NFM-213-BG-15-1 ‘Improving Conditions in Prisons and Pretrial Detention Facilities by Refurbishing the Physical Environment with a view to Ensuring Respect for Human Rights’, financed under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014. No actions had been taken to fulfil the NPM’s long-standing recommendation regarding the need for repairs to the common showers and toilets in all corridor areas. Heat supply continues to be a nagging problem. There is a consistent short supply of hot water due to water heating equipment that is insufficient for the inmate population. 42