E/CN.4/2001/66/Add.1 page 16 57. According to non-governmental sources, the problem of TB in the penitentiary system is partly due to the slow and incorrect diagnoses of detainees demonstrating the symptoms. According to the governor of Gobustan prison, and as confirmed by the medical records of the detainees concerned, nine detainees had died since the beginning of the year. Seven, of whom six were lifers, were said to have died from TB. It should be noted that the total population of lifers in Gobustan prison was less than 100. This rather high rate of death from TB amongst lifers was explained by the Deputy Minister by the fact that TB is very widespread in pre-trial detention centres where sick detainees were not segregated from others. The governor also explained that TB had become more resistant to treatment and that a virulent form of TB could kill in a few days without allowing the prison authorities time to transfer the infected prisoners to an appropriate medical unit. According to medical doctors consulted by the Special Rapporteur after the mission, a proper programme of detection and treatment could well reduce deaths from TB to zero. Such results were said to have been reached in another country of the region. It was also explained to the Special Rapporteur that there is no such virulent form of TB which would prevent prison authorities from transferring sick detainees to an appropriate medical unit long before their lives would be in danger. According to information received, the Ministry of Health was refusing to apply the relevant WHO recommendations. The Deputy Minister affirmed that all deaths in prison were examined by forensic medical specialists and an investigation undertaken by the prosecutor’s office. 58. The Special Rapporteur noted that the punishment book invariably indicated the reason for the punishment as “breaking the rule”, without any details given. The length of punishment varied from 5 to 15 days. It was explained to the Special Rapporteur that three days’ punishment period was the most common, but that the governor of the prison had the right to extend that to 15 days depending on the rule which had been violated by the prisoner. The Special Rapporteur notes with concern the lack of proper recording with respect to punishment decisions which therefore could appear as arbitrary. 59. The Special Rapporteur paid a very quick visit to the labour reformatory colony No. 1 where he was impressed by the efforts made to accommodate short and long-term visits. Unfortunately, he did not have sufficient time to undertake a proper visit. 60. Finally, the Special Rapporteur received information from non-governmental sources according to which the number of torture allegations from the administrative detention centre known as “Black City”, where those detained under an administrative order are held, had dropped considerably since 1996. A “secret” investigation by the General Prosecutor’s Office which reportedly led to the dismissal of all senior officials working in that institution is believed to be the reason for the change. While the Special Rapporteur welcomes this information and the initiative taken by the General Prosecutor’s Office, he regrets that there seems to have been no publicity on this case. No information on subsequent legal actions against alleged perpetrators of torture is available. The General Prosecutor indicated that the system of administrative detention was in the process of being abolished. 2. Individual cases 61. Prior to the mission, the Special Rapporteur had received information according to which 11 prisoners and two guards had died during disorders at Gobustan prison in January 1999