in the penitentiary institution N17. The prisoner is suffering from the viral hepatitis C (I genotype), liver fibrosis F4, cirrhosis stage K74, as well as the 2nd stage of diabetes. According to the doctor’s recommendation, the patient needs treatment with sofosbuvir, which is accessible through the State programme on ensuring the measures of managing the first stage of Hepatitis C. However, the prisoner is refused to be treated with Sofosbuvir, since he is not the citizen of Georgia. In this case, the right of the accused to be provided with the adequate medical assistance is violated, which constitutes discrimination. The Public Defender has addressed the Government of Georgia with the recommendation to make the treatment with Sofosbuvir available to the foreign citizens and stateless persons in need, who are placed in the penitentiary system, like to the citizens of Georgia. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONS OF GEORGIA: • To take all necessary measures to inform all prisoners about their rights in the language they understand; • To ensure all foreigh citizen prisoners with the translation service free of charge; • To ensure the availability of various foreign TV Channels and other informational means; • To take into consideration cultural and religious characteristics while preparing the meals; • To take all necessary measures to equally ensure the foreign citizens and stateless persons with the penitentiary health care services. In addition, ensure the provision of information regarding the penitentiary health care services in the language they understand and eliminate the linguistic barriers in the process of medical assistance. 2.7. CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD In its recommendations, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture emphasizes the importance of maintaining regular contact with the outside world for every prisoner serving a sentence. “The guiding principle here is the support to maintaining contact with the outside world. Any decision to restrict such contact must be deter156 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM (NPM), 2015