No measures seem to have been taken to fulfil the recommendations made by the NPM regarding the need to replace the mattresses and bedding, to overhaul and modernize the cinema hall and the library, to renovate the prison’s kitchen and to replace the kitchen equipment. At the same time, some capital repairs to existing vital systems and structures intended to improve the prison’s physical environment and property do merit a positive assessment. These include the installation of a lightning protection system, the replacement of doors and window frames in some parts of the cellhouse, and the rehabilitation and refitting of the aspiration system in the prison kitchen. Some emergency repairs to sections of the plumbing and heating installations, as well as partial repairs to an electrical substation had also been performed. 1.2. The share of parole eligible inmates recommended for early release on parole or for a commutation of sentence remained relatively low. The NPM is of the opinion that taking the statutory requirement of ‘fair attitude to labour’ into account as a primary consideration when deciding on early conditional release of inmates is unacceptable. 1.3. Another major problem facing the prison administration, which was noted by the NPM in previous inspections as well, relates to providing prison work for the inmates. The NPM is of the opinion that the MoJ ought to take adequate measures to ensure the inmates’ right to be employed in work. During interviews with inmates at the women’s prison in Sliven, they complained mostly about the prison administration’s failure to ensure that their right to work while serving their sentences is respected. 1.4. The medical centre’s facilities and medical equipment are in very good state of repair. It is notable that the number of psychiatric consultations requested for inmate patients is on the rise. The number of hospitalizations in the psychiatric ward of the specialized hospital at the Lovech penitentiary is not negligible either. The NPM observed also an increase in the number of suicidal and deliberate self-harm incidents. Episodes of food refusal by inmates are not infrequent either. The NPM believes that urgent measures should be taken to provide adequate mental health care for the female inmates housed at the women’s prison in the city of Sliven. 1.5. As regards staffing, the NPM notes that the prison is understaffed. As noted in previous NPM reports, the prison is facing a shortage of prison officers. By the end of 2015, there were seven vacancies. Of these one was a managerial position, three were professional staff positions and four were junior professional officer positions. The shortage of prison guards appears to be the status quo. The absence of employee incentives leaves a negative impression. 1.6. The conclusion drawn by the NPM from the 2015 inspection is that most recommendations formulated by the NPM had not been followed. Therefore, the NPM insists, once again, that:  measures should be taken to ensure the implementation of the ‘Remodelling the Prison’s Building’ Project, which includes the provision of in-cell sanitation;  actions should be taken to obtain the financing needed to ensure the provision of regular heat supply to the showers, which is a must with a view to meeting the daily hygiene needs of female inmates;  measures should be taken to refurbish the common showers and toilets in all corridor areas of the cellhouse and to overhaul also the library and the cinema hall;  measures should be taken to improve the quality of health care for the inmates’ mental health. In addition to adequate supply of mental illness medications, these should include also psychiatric assessment and consultation, psychological counselling and psychotherapy, psychosocial rehabilitation in either individual or group sessions. Measures should be taken to secure the staffing capacity and capability needed to meet the need for 43