9·3 Detainees 9.3.1 The Board has seen a great improvement in the detention centres regarding minors. Young children are rarely left in the centre for more than an couple of days till housing arrangements are made for the families. However the situation is different when it concerns young people who claim to be minors (on the date of arrival in Malta).These have to be examined and have their age assessed in order to be released and this is not an easy task. However, the Board is preoccupied that the results of the test for age assessment is sometimes taking too long with the problem of having young males and females in detention for quite some time when they should not be kept in detention. The Board recommends that the alleged minors are placed in a different quarters till their age assessment result is verified. 9.3.2 Females: The Board suggests that females are given attention and taught about trafficking and how to manage their life after detention, when they are still in detention. A social care system needs to be in place to help females cope with life once they are freed. 9·4 Discipline A procedure of discipline needs to be set up. This could include: • The types and duration of punishment which may be inflicted, • The authority competent to consider disciplinary reports, and to impose any appropriate punishment, • Appropriate safeguards against abuse, • Detainees need to be briefed about the Rules, Regulations and Responsibilities, • A disciplinary process needs to be in place whereby detainees would be entitled to a fair hearing and the punishment meted out would be in proportion to the offence, • The right of detainees to be heard when accused of breaking the rules. • It is imperative that when the detainees are in solitary confinement they are seen by the doctor on a daily basis. To this end, the doctor should be informed of persons held in solitary confinement. • A register where information regarding disciplinary measures taken needs to be kept. 10. Conditions of Detention 10.1The Board welcomes the refurbishment of some of the premises. The Board is still concerned about the use of the two Warehouses. For the DS staff having over 300 detainees living under one roof is unmanageable and also dangerous. From the 11 ;,