DOC / OS PCXXIII) / 324c /II opened the door in the morning. A complain book existed, for individual complaints only. General complaints were not registered. Prisoners said that complaint mechanisms were not effective since they had no prisoners representatives. They also said they were beaten when they complained. Complaints are also channelled through wards, blocks and prison leaders. Main issues were court related. Women in Masaka deplored they could not complain directly to the officer in charge, and requested that he devotes one day a month to hear their problems. A prisoner's relation with the ward leader could influence considerably the outcome of complaints. Ethnic based discrimination was also mentioned here. Security Isolation cells exist in some prisons (Masindi) for prisoners deemed dangerous, for mentally ill prisoners (Masindi) or those affected with TB (Masindi). In this later prison, the tap for the showers of the isolation ward was in the toilets. In Masindi, the prison was double fenced with a round way in between and watch towers. Ward leaders were appointed in all prisons visited by the delegation. Fellow-prisoners often complained about the violent behaviour of these leaders, who would beat them when prison rules were breached or for other reasons; Escapes are not common: there were none in Luzira Upper prison for five years, but eight from Luzira remand in 2001. There was one escape in Mbale in December 2001 which explained the movement restrictions imposed since. There were three escapes at Masindi prison in 2000, two in 2001 and none in 2002. Staff Relationship between staff and prisoners Relations are usually described as good. However, there are unacceptable behaviours. Prisoners denounce corruption of staff, both within prisons and at the police. On various occasions, prisoners explained having to bribe the staff to be able to go to court, to buy items such as ustensils and buckets or to receive food from relatives. At Kasese local administration prison, were relations are described as bad or for those working at shambas or in women's ward at Tororo prison farm. Prisoners alleged being beaten up with canes all over the body, including on the head. They looked scared In Mbale, the atmosphere was heavy with intimidation. In some place, communication problems are mentioned (Kasese police station, Masaka). Prisoners in Mpigi local prison said they had good relations with the Officer in charge and his deputy, but problems came from warders. In Masindi, during the interviews with women, the Special Rapporteur noted that the staff remained to listen to the discussion. Prisoners in Mbale complained that prison staff did not always keep confidential information for themselves. Corruption seemed widespread in this prison. According to prisoners, they needed to pay for everything, from hot water for tea to sugar, cigarettes, to have items purchased from outside the prison, etc. They expressed the view this attitude of prison staff was due to overstaying on duty, which made them embittered. Remand detention Overstaying on remand is a major complaint of prisoners. According to 1999 statistics, approximately 60% of the prison population was on remand — the ICRC gives an estimate of 80% —, 64% of those being capital cases (murder and defilement cases). In Kakiika prison, a man told the delegation he had been detained since 1996 and had never appeared in Court. 33