Police detention centres
XX
It should be ensured that detainees are offered at least one hour of daily outdoor
exercise. The interior and exterior areas of the police detention centre should be
equipped for this purpose.
XX
An adequate supply of functioning (sports) equipment and board games should be
provided, and detainees should be allowed to use leisure-time opportunities offered
externally.
XX
It must be ensured that detainees have access to hygienic sanitary facilities. Privacy
must be ensured through structural or organisational measures.
XX
Toilets in cells for multiple inmates must be designed so that they are completely
separate from the rest of the inmate cell. The mattresses and textiles issued to detainees
must be clean.
XX
Detainees should be able to shower at least twice per week – and to shower daily under
special circumstances. Detainees must be informed of their opportunity to shower.
XX
All detainees must be given access to hygiene articles. Women must be provided with the
necessary hygiene articles during menstruation.
2.6.3
Working group on suicide prevention
In 2017, the working group continued to formulate specific standards for
suicide prevention in police detention. In its Report 2016 (p. 139 et seq.), the
NPM reported on results with respect to the following matters: training of staff,
recognising when there is a risk of suicide and actions to take when there is a
risk of suicide.
Experts from the Federal Ministry of the Interior’s psychological service
participated in two of the five meetings held to date. Options for the staff of the
Federal Ministry in terms of mental hygiene and reflection (e.g. through peer
support or psychological supervision) and the effectiveness of these measures
were discussed in detail at these meetings.
With special consideration of the CPT guidelines on dealing with suicide-prone
persons [CPT/Inf/E (2002) 1 – rev. 2010, German, p. 38], the working group
devoted itself to the formulation of basic conditions in the following areas
during the year under review:
The working group agreed that, after a suicide (attempt), staff should initiate
life-saving emergency measures and the rest of the rescue chain (emergency
call, first aid). Fellow inmates should be relocated as quickly as possible.
Relocation to a single detention cell should be avoided since the suicide
(attempt) may have shocked or traumatised the persons affected by it. Fellow
inmates and witnesses to the incident must be promptly treated in accordance
with crisis intervention criteria. All persons, including police officers, should
immediately be offered counselling.
Procedure after a
suicide (attempt)
149
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