DOC/OS(X XIII)/324c/fI Prison Rules & Discipline / Security Existing prison rules In principle, prison regulations are told to prisoners upon arrival by the welfare officer. They are posted in some prisons (in each dormitory at Murchison Bay). Some prisons have a list of prison offences (Masindi). When breached, the prisoner is brought before the Officer in Charge and can bring his own witness. Good behaviour entails classification in different stages, providing better conditions. The time spent in prison is also taken into account. The Special Rapporteur did not notice any information about rules in local prisons and police stations. Enforcement of prison rules The law emphasises that every prisoner charged with a prison offence shall be informed of the offence with which he is charged and shall be entitled to defend himself. The punishments which a prisoner may undergo if found guilty are: a) Confinement in a separate cell for a period not exceeding three days on the penal diet prescribed in the Rules b) Reduction in stage, or postponement of promotion in stage or forfeiture of privileges c) Forfeiture of remission not exceeding 14 days d) Forfeiture or removal from earning scheme until the prisoner is considered fit for restoration. e) In case of an adult male prisoner not over the age of 45 and not under death sentence or a civil prisoner, or a vagrant, corporal punishment may be awarded in case of an aggravated prison offence. However, all corporal punishments must be inflicted after the approval of the Commissioner of Prisons. Other forms of punishment can be the transfer of a prisoner to another prison (Kasese local); Women in Masindi also described collective punishment, including deprivation of shower for the babies. In Masaka prison, prisoners said that water was spread on the floor of the isolation cell and punished prisoners were put naked and received only half of the food ration, or even without food. "Ward leaders" are appointed and sometimes tasked to enforce discipline and carry out punishments. Conditions to become a ward leader being (Masindi) the length of service and the good discipline. Those leaders get privileges. In Murchison Bay, each ward had a leader in charge of cleanliness and a leader in charge of discipline. Then each block had a leader, and there were "prison head prisoners" for discipline, cleanliness and for all prisoners. There were six caporals at Luzira Upper prison. Complaint mechanisms The system is not harmonised and varies from prison to prison. Complaint books usually exist, but the mechanism is not efficient according to prisoners (Masindi, Mbale). In Tororo, there were no complaint in 2002, 19 in 2001 and 28 in 2000. In Mbale, there were few complaints in the book (73 since January 2001). They concerned receiving special diet from home, personal problems and seeking advice. In various prisons, prisoners said they were punished when they complained (kept indoors, transferred, visits suppressed or even beaten, including by leaders who are given sticks — a boy in Mbale said he had been beaten on his genitals). At Luzira Upper prison, complaints are reported in the reception office book. The duty officer investigates and handles them or refers them to the officer in charge depending on the matter. In Luzira remand prison, complaints were channelled through the staff which 32