using a minimum amount of force they can oblige the prisoners to tell what they know. They ask the head of the prison for permission to use such force. Taking account of the relevant international instruments, how should the head of the prison respond? 3. Suppose that under the law of your country, and in the opinion of judges who have investigated recent specific complaints by prisoners, the occasional slapping of unruly prisoners is considered a justifiable use of force. An international inspection committee against torture has now stated that the use of slapping is completely unacceptable and amounts to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. How should the prison administration respond? 40