One would think that some margin of autonomy left for individuals in taking over and maintaining these places would enable them to be kept in a better state whilst supporting their rights to hygiene and respect of their dignity. Autonomy, relations with the outside world and private life Links with the outside world are important for a number of reasons: contact with a lawyer and finding documents in support of an appeal or an application for asylum, procedures for departure under best conditions and the maintenance of links with relations. As has already been stated, mobile phones are prohibited in accommodation areas on the grounds that they could be used to take photographs. In one of the CRAs inspected, the initiative had been taken to leave detainees with their cell phones with all functions without any problems being notified. In another it was envisaged to offer telephones that were solely for telephoning for sale via the OFII at a modest price. These initiatives should be encouraged. Fixed telephones available in CRAs which are actually accessible at all times do not always meet the needs of detainees as they require a telephone card, generally sold by the OFII during the week but not over the weekend. Additionally the inspectors noted that where they were placed did not always guarantee confidentiality of conversations (without any cabin they are often situated near the entrance of accommodation buildings). In the same way and even though internal regulations do not raise the question, Internet access is not authorised whilst it could encourage links with the exterior or even enable detainees to organise their return under best conditions. The CGLPL recommends that telephone cabins should be installed guaranteeing that conversations are confidential. Actual use of telephones should be guaranteed from the time of arrival at the centre. It also recommends that detainees should have access to the Internet. Visits are guaranteed by internal regulations and in principle they are possible every day; however they are within defined times and some centres do not authorise them after 6 pm. They take place in office-like rooms under police surveillance; doors have a small inspection window. The maximum duration is 30 minutes; in practice police officers regularly accept that they extend beyond this insofar as no one else is waiting. Naturally this tolerance places detainees in a situation of dependence. Moreover, even if police officers defend themselves by making it a condition of entry, visitors are invited to show identity documents before passing beneath a metal detector; detainees are subjected to a pat down body search at the end of the visit. These restrictions are even more damaging as detainees are separated from their relations and placed in a situation which is particularly difficult at an emotional level. The CGLPL repeats its recommendations made in its 2010 activity report of "making places where visits take place comply with personal respect and privacy in meeting and authorising visits throughout the week and in particular on Sundays and public holidays without limit as to length unless there is a critical reason why not. Autonomy and social life Detainees, in particular when they come from outside of the European Union and do not speak any of the languages that are most usual in the CRA, may become very isolated. The rapid turnover of people of all nationalities and coexistence of very different peoples - some are leaving prison whilst others have been working illegally for a number of years – are factors for 151