E/CN.4/2005/62/Add.2 page 22 106. The Government reported that as a result of the adoption of a number of acts, presidential decrees, government decisions and other regulations that strengthen legal guarantees of the rights and legitimate interests of persons suspected or accused of committing offences, as well as convicted persons, the procedure for serving sentences involving deprivation of liberty, and the related detention conditions, have been considerably humanized. The refurbishment of existing institutions of the Russian penal correction system so that they meet basic standards of humanity and respect for human dignity is inextricably linked with the question of guaranteeing the rights of persons isolated from society. These principles have laid the groundwork for new laws and regulations that establish policy in the area of penal correction. Thus, in accordance with article 1 of the Penal Enforcement Code, observance of the rights of convicted persons is one of the principal tasks of correctional institutions. Legislation has established norms for the personal space allocated to each inmate: in remand centres - 4 square metres; in correctional colonies - no less than 2 square metres; in prisons - 2.5 square metres; in colonies for female convicts - 3 square metres; in young offenders’ institutions - 3.5 square metres; and in general health institutions of the penal correction system - 5 square metres. In remand centres in which cells have windows, the metal blinds have been removed in order to increase access to air and natural light. In accordance with legislation, Russian penal institutions are observing convicted persons’ right to work. To this end, the industrial potential of the penal correction system is being exploited; the system includes more than 700 enterprises of various types. Additional workplaces are being created, and salaries are gradually increasing. In general, income from productive activities is used for the material and medical needs of the convicted persons. The main objective of encouraging convicted persons to work is to solve social problems: restore and strengthen the vocational and labour skills that convicts will need for their subsequent rapid reintegration into society. Efforts are being made to implement the provisions of the act on the right of individuals isolated from society to personal safety. This has led to a decrease in the number of offences and in the overall number of violations of the established procedure for serving sentences in places of deprivation of liberty. Current legislation guarantees detainees the right to health protection. Medical service is provided by a network of departmental clinics, as well as by medical units in each institution. All persons entering institutions of the penal correction system undergo a compulsory medical examination. When bodily injuries, however minor, are discovered, an investigation is conducted and the findings are sent to the procurator’s office. The provisions of articles 108 and 112 of the Penal Enforcement Code provide for the right of convicted persons to receive a basic general education. Initial vocational training is compulsory for convicted persons without a trade. In addition to the right to basic general education and initial vocational training, convicted persons have the right to secondary and higher vocational training through distance learning and correspondence courses conducted by secondary and higher educational institutions. Currently, convicted persons from 28 territorial bodies are studying in 24 secondary and higher educational institutions, and are being trained in specialities in demand on the labour market. This facilitates rapid social adaptation to life after their release and makes it less likely that they will return to a criminal milieu. Convicted persons are guaranteed freedom of conscience and religion. They are given every opportunity to satisfy their religious needs. There are 361 places of worship and 671 prayer rooms representing practically all religions and creeds in the penal correction system. In correctional institutions of 37 regions of the Russian Federation, 93 Sunday schools have been established and are in operation. The rights of convicted persons to spend money have been broadened. Restrictions on the acquisition of food and necessities, and on the right to receive parcels and printed matter, have been relaxed; for the least socially protected categories (minors, women, persons with