CAT/OP/MLI/1 62. Although systems based on inmate self-management offer certain advantages, the Subcommittee recommends that official recognition be given to the role of cell and yard bosses to ensure that they are appointed on the basis of clear and transparent criteria and given a specific mandate. The prison authorities must closely supervise the cell and yard bosses (for whose acts they are ultimately responsible) because only the authorities are entitled to order and carry out disciplinary punishments. Tasks associated with the exercise of official power must continue to be carried out by prison staff. The Subcommittee also recommends that a clear and efficient procedure be established whereby inmates can file requests or complaints directly with the competent authorities. In addition, the authorities should ensure that all detainees are treated on an equal basis and that the advantages granted to cell and yard bosses do not exceed those that can reasonably be considered necessary for them to be able to discharge their duties. Prison activities 63. Most inmates do not have the opportunity to engage in any kind of organized physical or intellectual activity, whether in terms of leisure, work, vocational training or education. Inmates in a small number of prisons keep themselves busy by making small handicraft items for sale. According to the testimony gathered, however, in some cases, inmates must pay for the right to engage in such activities, and in others, they are not paid for what they produce, and the proceeds of sales are pocketed by the warders. Social workers and assistants do little, when they are present at all. 64. Only inmates assigned to labour duties, such as those on kitchen, gardening or cleaning duty, have a real occupation. The delegation found that some inmates are sent out of prison to work privately for other institutions or prison staff, for instance doing laundry or gardening, which opens the door to possible abuses. 65. The State party has an obligation to ensure that prison inmates engage in a minimum of activity and, in particular, that those not assigned to labour duties are granted an hour a day of exercise in the open air, as set forth in the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. The State must encourage prison labour with a view to training and rehabilitating prisoners and must ensure that inmates receive reasonable remuneration for their work. E. Prison farm 66. Of the four prison farms in the country, the Subcommittee was able to visit only one, at Baguinéda. Although this open prison facility has room for nearly 35 inmates, it housed only 8 (5 were assigned to labour duties outside the prison), for whom there were 9 guards. Although the facilities for guards and inmates are in poor condition, the establishment has potential. Most of the farm equipment is out of order and production is therefore so limited that it only provides enough for the prison farm itself, but in the past it supplied other establishments too. 67. The Subcommittee urges the Government to adopt the necessary measures to enable these prison farms to fulfil their role in training prisoners who might benefit from an open system of detention and to facilitate the rehabilitation and social reintegration of such prisoners at the end of their sentence. This would also alleviate prison overcrowding to a certain extent. Moreover, if operated properly, the prison farms could become a less expensive source of food supplies for prisons and help improve the quality of the prisoners’ diet. 14 GE.14-41827