police detention facilities. The Commissioner for Human Rights is awaiting a response of the Police Commander in Chief. Psychological care for people deprived of their liberty in penitentiary establishments37 The practice of psychological care in penitentiary establishments is very different from the guidelines indicated in the order of the Director General of the Prison Service38. According to the order, a psychologist should work with no more than 200 prisoners. In 2020, representatives of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, during the preventive visits, came across cases where this standard was not complied with. Disturbing conclusions were contained also in the report on the safety of prisoners, drawn up by the Supreme Audit Office. An expert in the field of psychiatry, appointed by the Supreme Audit Office, had objections as in three out of eight audited penitentiary establishments, the number of prisoners per one psychologist significantly exceeded the limit. Yet, the main objections were raised with regard to the limit itself. Thus, the Supreme Audit Office recommended a re-analysis of the limit of prisoners per psychologist, in order to ensure the optimal distribution of workload on psychologists and correction officers, taking into account the various types of penitentiary establishments and other significant factors (e.g. the percentage of inmates who are employed). In the opinion of the Commissioner, sufficient specialist assistance should be provided to prisoners, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. The epidemiological situation has brought significant changes in the functioning of all places of detention, including some limitations on the rights of inmates. Reduced numbers, or full suspension, of visits that prisoners are permitted to receive, limited working time outside the establishment, or reduced availability of religious services can become the main reason for the increased number of undesirable incidents in penitentiary establishments, for the escalation of negative emotions among inmates, and for the lack of understanding of administrative decisions related to those limitations. The provision of appropriate psychological care may contribute to an increased sense of security both on the side of prisoners and employees of penitentiary establishments. Therefore, in the opinion of the Commissioner for Human Rights, it is necessary not only to take steps to guarantee the observance of the maximum limit of 200 inmates per psychologist, but also to verify the limit and to introduce a new lower one. The Commissioner requested the Director General of the Prison Service to present information on the provision of appropriate psychological care in penitentiary establishments. According to the reply39 of the Deputy Director General of the Prison Service, the activities undertaken by the Prison Service resulted in an increase in the number of psychologists working in penitentiary establishments from 408 to 465 in the years 2015–2020 (an increase by 13%). The situation 37 General intervention letter of the CHR to the Director General of the Prison Service, of 10 November 2020, no. KMP. 571.8.2020. 38 Order no. 19/16of 14 April 2016. 39 Letter of 26 November 2020. 32