A/64/215 upholding the aims listed in articles 19 to 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In principle, detainees shall also be enabled to exercise their right to vote and other forms of participation in the conduct of public affairs, in accordance with article 25 of the International Covenant. 55. For the exercise of economic, social and cultural rights, detainees are fully dependent on the prison authorities. Most important is the right of detainees to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing and housing, as provided in article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Rules 9 to 20 of the Standard Minimum Rules on accommodation, personal hygiene, clothing, bedding and food provide the necessary guidance to State authorities responsible for maintaining detention facilities and make clear that it is the responsibility of the administration to provide detainees with “food of nutritional value adequate for health and strength” (rule 20), with single cells or dormitories with adequate floor space, lighting, heating, ventilation and separate beds (rules 9-11 and 19), with sanitary installations “adequate to enable every prisoner to comply with the needs of nature” (rule 12), with “adequate bathing and shower installations” (rule 13) and “with water and with such toilet articles as are necessary for health and cleanliness” (rule 15). For most detainees in police custody, which may last for several weeks or even months, these minimum standards for a dignified existence are totally out of reach; rather, such detainees are happy if they can share a mattress on the concrete floor with other detainees and are provided some water to drink. However, even convicted prisoners in many countries can only dream of such conditions and depend on their families to provide them with adequate food, water, toilet articles and similar items. 56. Equally important is the right of detainees “to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health”, as outlined in article 12 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Rules 22 to 26 of the Standard Minimum Rules provide guidance on the need for medical services in detention facilities, including prison hospitals, psychiatric services, dental care, and women’s prenatal and post-natal care and treatment. The medical officer “should daily see all sick prisoners” (rule 25) and shall regularly inspect the quality of food, hygiene, sanitation, ventilation and the observance of the rules concerning physical education and sports and advise the director accordingly (rule 26). Again, reality looks totally different, and it is not only persons in police custody and poor prisoners who are denied access to adequate health care while in detention. Because of bad hygienic, medical and other conditions, many individuals become infected with tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other contagious diseases while in detention. 57. For convicted prisoners, the enjoyment of the right to education, including vocational training, in full accordance with article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and rule 77 of the Standard Minimum Rules is an important precondition for successful reformation, social rehabilitation and reintegration into society after release. 12 Recreational and cultural activities shall be provided in all institutions (rule 78), and special attention shall be paid to the maintenance and improvement of social relations and aftercare (rules 79 to 81). In reality, many prison regimes around the world are based on purely punitive theories and do not regard the proper preparation of prisoners for a life after release as their responsibility. __________________ 12 16 See also A/HRC/11/8, paras. 18 and 90-98. 09-43792