SPT would also like to receive clarifications on measures adopted to ensure the transparent and efficient use of the budget. 6.Prison staff 194.The SPT noted that there was a shortage of staff in both prisons visited. At Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Prison, there are 8 prison officers per shift to supervise 190 adult prisoners. At Tacumbú National Prison there are 30 prison officers per shift responsible for supervising more than 3,000 prisoners. Of the 30 officers, 24 were on duty at the time of the visit, 6 being on sick leave or on holiday. These figures do not correspond to those provided by official sources, according to which a total of 50 officers are allocated per shift in Tacumbú. This discrepancy is explained, according to statements made by the competent authorities, by the fact that in practice some members of staff are assigned to other duties within the State structure. 195.According to information from both the prison authorities and staff interviewed, there is a general lack of initial and in-service training for staff. The SPT has received information concerning a project organized jointly with the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide 50 prison officers with training in human rights and encourages the State party to extend such projects to all prison officers in active service. 196. The SPT recommends that the number of prison officers should be increased so as to ensure the overall security of the facilities as well as the safety of staff themselves and that of prisoners against possible acts of violence by other prisoners. The SPT further recommends that, in line with the minimum international standards, staff should receive adequate salaries and a course of training in their general and specific duties and sit theoretical and practical tests to determine their ability to perform this type of service. 197. The SPT recommends that the State should consider the possibility of establishing a prison service study course as a means of raising professional standards among prison staff. 7.Discipline and punishment 198.In addition to the penalties provided for acts classified as offences under the Criminal Code, persons deprived of their liberty are subject to the penalties laid down by the Prisons Act No. 210/170. These may consist of: (a) a warning; (b) total or partial loss of privileges; (c) confinement in one’s own cell and reduction of amenities; (d) solitary confinement for up to 30 days; (e) placement in groups subject to harsher treatment; (f) transfer to another type of establishment. The SPT notes that although the Prisons Act dictates which penalties should be applied, it does not stipulate which conduct constitutes a disciplinary offence, which may give rise to arbitrariness in the application of penalties. 199.During a meeting with the Director of Tacumbú National Prison, the SPT was informed of the existence of punishment regulations, which, however, were not available because the administrative director was not present. According to the Director of Tacumbú National Prison, the punishment most frequently ordered is solitary confinement, which may take place in the guardroom of post No. 6 for minor offences and/or in the solitary confinement wing for serious offences, such as homicide, bodily harm or clashes with prison staff. As required by the Prisons Act, a register with numbered pages carrying signatures was kept of prisoners held in solitary confinement, with an indication of the offence committed. 200. The SPT requests a copy of the punishment regulations as well as more detailed information on the procedure for imposing punishments and the authority responsible for ordering them. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the SPT recommends that all prisons should have disciplinary regulations stipulating (a) the forms of conduct constituting a disciplinary offence; (b) the types and duration of the punishments which may be inflicted; (c) the authority competent to impose such punishments. Any disciplinary measure should be applied in accordance with the regulations, of which all prisoners must have a copy. The SPT recommends that all persons deprived of their liberty should be granted the right to be heard before disciplinary action is taken and to bring such action to higher authorities for review. 8.Work, cultural and educational activities 201.The SPT noted that there were few, if any, opportunities for work, cultural and educational activities in the two prisons visited. 202.At Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Prison, the SPT found that the six female inmates shared a very small space consisting of a sleeping area, toilet and kitchen. Next to that was a semi-open room, with a wire partition, to which the inmates had access between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Outside of those hours the room remained closed, the SPT was told, as a security measure following an inmate’s escape. The inmates were allowed out into the courtyard for some fresh air only two hours a week, and were confined for the rest of the time to the space described. All the inmates interviewed said that the space had previously been shared by 22 prisoners. 203.The SPT noted that minors detained in the same prison attended two and a half hours of classes a day, had access to fresh air on a daily basis and practised sport once a week. 204.At Tacumbú National Prison, the 100 or so jobs available were given to those inmates (out of a total of over 3,000) who were prepared to pay the required kickback, as described in paragraph 162 of this report. With regard to educational activities, the Tacumbú director informed the SPT that courses for 500 inmates had started at the prison school eight days ago and that it was hoped to increase that figure to 1,500 prisoners in the future. 205.The SPT recommends that the Paraguayan authorities should ensure that all prisoners (male and female) have at least one hour of suitable exercise in the open air daily, in line with the minimum international standards. It further recommends that all prisoners should be given access to work, educational and cultural activities, and that a library with a sufficient number of educational and recreational books should be made available.