POLICE STATIONS In addition to the custody cells the delegation inspected the sanitary facilities, the medical room in which examinations are carried out and the service room. In addition, it inspected the custody record book. outside. The Joint Commission feels that the privacy of those who are taken into custody is sufficiently protected if they are informed upon being booked in that they may use the toilet which is located in the shower room. This information should be provided in writing to ensure that all those taken into custody are aware of it. Response: The Joint Commission’s suggestion that those taken into custody be informed that they can, upon request, use the toilets available in the shower rooms will be taken up. Whether panels (max. chest height and 20 cm above the floor) can be installed in the cells is currently being examined. Installing panels higher than this is regarded as critical for security reasons, since the cells in Leipzig Central Police Custody do not have a grille in front of them. People who are taken into custody under the Police Act are only informed of their rights verbally by the admitting officer. By contrast, those taken into custody under the Code of Criminal Procedure are informed of their rights in writing. The Joint Commission recommends standardising the rules on informing those taken into custody of their rights. Legal information should be provided as quickly as possible and always in writing; this also serves to protect officers. The information should also contain references to the right to inform a family member and a legal adviser, as well as the right to be examined by doctor. Relevant documents should be available in the same languages as the forms required under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Response: The Joint Commission’s recommendation on handing out written information about rights in all relevant languages will be implemented at short notice. Recommendations and response The cells in the central custody facility have no fire detectors. In the event of a fire detainees would therefore have to contact the duty office via the intercom, which represents an increased risk. That is why the fire detectors in the corridors outside the cells are not sufficient. The Joint Commission recommends installing fire detectors in the cells in order to guarantee detainees’ protection in the event of a fire. Response: As regards installing fire detectors in custody cells, it must be said that each cell has a smoke detector in the exhaust air system, as a result of which, in the event of smoke developing, an alarm will sound to warn the duty officer in the central custody facility. The custody cells in Leipzig Central Police Custody only have a wooden plank bed but no mattress. According to staff, those taken into custody are given one, if required several, woollen blankets. Officers reported that people are rarely kept in overnight. The CPT has repeatedly recommended, for instance to the police authorities in Baden-Württemberg during its visit in 2010, that detention facilities be 45 provided with mattresses. In its report, the Federal Government again called on all the Länder to immediately implement the CPT’s long-standing recommen46 dation. The Joint Commission shares this opinion. It is recommended that washable, flame-resistant mattresses be acquired for the Land police in Saxony and that at least a few be kept in stock and made available to those held in custody overnight. Response: The Ministry in principle endorses the recommendation that flame-resistant, disinfectant-proof mattresses be provided. However, before the purchases can be made the costs and availability of budget funding first need to be examined. The toilets in the single-occupancy cells are located on one side of the cell next to the door. The wideangle peephole in the cell door means the toilet is in full view. The Joint Commission is of the opinion that providing people with humane conditions of detention also means that their privacy needs to be respected. This is not guaranteed if the toilet is in full view of anyone looking through a peephole. However, account should be taken of the fact that there is a shower room with a separate toilet on each floor of the building. This toilet is not visible from the 45 46 Positive findings Positive mention should first be made of the good structural condition and the noticeable cleanliness of Leipzig Central Police Custody. Police officers reported that the custody cells are cleaned every day by an external firm. The Commission also welcomes the fact that sanitary facilities, including a shower and a separate toilet, are available on each floor. What was also noteworthy was the stock of food and drinks kept in the fridge in the service room for detainees. Vegetarian food and halal food for Muslims is also kept in stock. When someone is kept in custody for more than 24 hours, which occurs extremely rarely according to officers, they are also given a warm meal. On inspecting the custody record book the Joint Commission found that the times of the checks are not entered in the book but are recorded electronically in a computer program. The Joint Commission in particular welcomes the automatic warning and reminder function available in the program for docu- CPT/Inf (2012) 6, p. 18, paragraph 27 CPT/Inf (2012) 7, p. 17, re paragraph 27 49