solitary confinement should also be regularly visited by a psychiatrist/psychologist. It should therefore be ensured that the new psychologist has sufficient capacity to provide care in the special security unit. The documents sent to the National Agency revealed that, in many cases, prisoners were held in solitary confinement for several months at a time. More rigorous measures should be taken to reduce the duration of solitary confinement. Furthermore, prisoners in the special security unit urgently need access to a wider range of possible 76 activities and greater potential for personal contact. all day long. Longer out-of-cell times should also be permitted at this facility. 6.2.13 – Condition and design of the cells The cells in Division II of Tegel Prison are extremely cramped, while the furniture shows considerable signs of wear and tear. Furthermore, the toilet in single-occupancy cells is often not shielded from view. Prisoners also complained of extremely high temperatures in some of the cells, particularly during the summer months. Overall, the structural shortcomings, the current fittings and furnishings of the cells, as well as the need for a greater staff presence in Division II due to its structural design, raise doubts as to the building’s suitability as a place to hold prisoners in detention. Further doubts exist regarding Karlsruhe Prison. The windows in the prison cells are located in the upper third of the outer wall, which allows only a limited view outside and restricts the amount of daylight in the cell. The poor ventilation and air circulation in the cells could prove particularly problematic during the summer months. During its visit, the delegation also received reports of prisoners pouring water onto the floor of their cells on hot summer’s days to at least achieve a slight cooling effect. Furthermore, the group transport cells at Stuttgart Prison are insufficiently insulated, meaning that weather conditions are clearly felt in winter and the middle of summer. In addition, prisoners detained in these cells are only able to shower on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On the other days of the week, they only have access to a very small basin with which to take care of their personal hygiene and wash their dishes. Prison management also reported of an outbreak of tuberculosis among the women detained in the group transport cell, which led to their temporary relocation to another area. Measures should be taken to counteract the extremely hot and cold temperatures in the cells. This is especially important when pregnant women or sick people are held there. Furthermore, multipleoccupancy cells should be cleaned more frequently in order to prevent infectious diseases. 6.2.10 – Staff Both Karlsruhe Prison and Division II of Tegel Prison had fewer members of staff working than was indicated by the organisational chart. This creates considerable restrictions for prisoners in these facilities and can potentially pose a safety risk to both prisoners and staff. 6.2.11 – Discrimination During a visit to Karlsruhe Prison, the National Agency overheard disrespectful remarks by one member of staff on the subject of foreign prisoners. This prompted the delegation to point out that further training should be provided on the subject of discrimination in order to raise awareness among prison staff. 6.2.12 – Out-of-cell time, recreational activities and work opportunities In Traunstein Prison, prisoners are given just one hour of out-of-cell time per day and one hour to exercise in the prison yard. Work opportunities for the prisoners are scarce. The short out-of-cell time, coupled with the lack of opportunities for work and recreation, mean that prisoners are forced to spend the vast majority of the day inactive, in cells which are structurally unsuitable. This situation must be rectified as a matter of urgency. If work opportunities are difficult to organise, prisoners should at the very least be permitted to spend more time outside of their cells and must have sufficient access to appropriate recreational activities. The lack of staff at Karlsruhe Prison also had a negative impact on lock-in times. Apart from the one hour of yard exercise required by law, all prisoners – apart from those with a job – are locked in their cells 6.2.14 – Drug tests The drug tests carried out in Traunstein Prison require prisoners to submit a urine sample under the observation of general prison officers. In addition to the submission of urine while under observation, at least one alternative method of drug testing should be available (e.g. a mouth swab or marker system) so that 76 During its visit to the special security unit in 2005, the CPT criticised the lack of activities and opportunities for exercise as being an “unacceptable situation”. 54