criminal sanctions Key changes observed during the visit • A prison had made considerable changes to improve the availability of activities and to extend the time that the cells are kept open; these adjustments have changed the nature of the prison into a more open one. Relations between the prisoners and the staff appeared to have improved and the general atmosphere was calm. • Remand prisoners had been allocated separate units and there was no further criticism to be made on their placement. • The possession of trial documents was no longer restricted and the prisoners had the necessary opportunities to prepare themselves for their trial. • The prisoners had at their disposal the provisions and regulations relevant to their situation, and these were also available in the most commonly used foreign languages. • The prison had begun issuing administrative decisions, complete with instructions on how to appeal. • The prison rules and practices regarding leave, disciplinary measures, and visitors were now similar to those of other prisons. • Prisoners’ access to the outdoors and sports activities, as well as to the library, had been improved. Development areas • Some deficiencies in decision-making regarding the possession of personal property were still identified. • The operations of the reception ward still had room for improvement regarding the policy on the possession of personal property. • There are no proper gym facilities. Measures taken based on the recommendations issued after the follow-up visit • The Criminal Sanctions Regional Centre has organised a training event for prison personnel on the appeals process and acceptable grounds for decisions on the possession of personal property. • Prison officers had participated in the training organised by the Criminal Sanctions Regional Centre for personnel at reception unit. The operations of the reception unit have been reorganised. • Attention has been paid to the educational background of new Senior Criminal Sanctions Officials to ensure that they have the necessary readiness to perform the administrative duties included in their managerial role. 47