Report on the results of the monitoring visit to the Petrivska Correctional Colony No. 49

On 31 March 2026, in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and taking into account the provisions of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, on the basis of Article 24 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine ‘Visits to penal institutions’, a group of monitors from the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group and the NGO ‘Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine’ conducted a visit to the state institution ‘Petrivska Correctional Colony (No. 49)’ (PCC-49, the institution, the facility, the colony). The visit was carried out as a planned, unannounced inspection; all facilities of the institution were examined.

The previous visit took place on 19 June 2025.

In preparation for the visit, the monitors used materials from complaints made by prisoners and their relatives, materials from previous reports, and reports from monitors of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

The visit was conducted within the framework of the project ‘Reducing the Suffering of Prisoners in the Context of the War in Ukraine’, funded by the Government of Denmark in partnership with DIGNITY – The Danish Institute Against Torture.

The visit was carried out by the following monitors:

• Andrii Didenko – Assistant to the People’s Deputy of Ukraine Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, Programme Coordinator of the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group, experienced in monitoring visits since 2014, NPM (National Preventive Mechanism) monitor, member of the NPM advisory board;
• Serhii Zuikov – Assistant to the People’s Deputy of Ukraine Kostiantyn Kasai, member of the public council under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, member of the NGO ‘Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine’, NPM monitor, has many years of experience in monitoring visits;
• Oleh Tsvilyi – member of the public council under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, head of the NGO ‘Protection of Prisoners of Ukraine’, has extensive experience in monitoring visits, specialises in issues of torture, cruel and inhuman treatment.

During the monitoring visit to PCC-49, violations of prisoners’ rights were established in the areas of material and living conditions, medical care, labour organisation, social, educational and psychological work, access to legal aid, information, and the guarantee of the right to privacy. The monitoring group identified inadequate conditions of detention in the QDDW, the disciplinary block, and the DIC/CTP, specifically humidity, mould, insufficient lighting and ventilation, inadequate material and living conditions, and a lack of privacy in sanitary facilities.

Violations were also established in the organisation of bath and laundry services, specifically a non-functional disinfection chamber, improper adherence to sanitary and anti-epidemic requirements, and limited access to the bathhouse for prisoners. During the visit, the formal nature of social, educational, and psychological work, as well as the improper conduct of risk assessments and implementation of individual resocialisation programmes, were recorded.

The actual absence of access to the internet for prisoners was established, as well as signs of fictitious employment, improper tracking of working hours, unstable employment, and extremely low wages with risks of incomplete accrual of social security contributions. During the inspection of the medical unit, violations were found in the maintenance of medical records, inadequate medical supervision in the DIC, shortcomings in the provision of psychiatric care, and violations of the rights of persons with disabilities. Separately, a significant shortage of staff was established, as well as the practice of staff openly carrying special equipment in the presence of prisoners and the inadequate condition of the shelters used during air raid alerts.

General Information

PCC-49 is a maximum-security penal institution for the detention of individuals convicted of grave and especially grave crimes.

The institution is located at the address: 1 Polova St., Novyi Starodub village, Petrivske district, Kirovohrad region, 28310.

Founded in 1976, it has functioned as a maximum-security colony since 1982. Currently, it is classified as a maximum-security institution for the detention of men.

The facility consists of a duty unit, a QDDW (quarantine, diagnosis, and distribution ward), SPS (social-psychological service) units, a canteen, a disciplinary isolation cell (DIC), chamber-type premises (CTP), a maximum-security sector (MSS), an enhanced supervision ward (ESW), a medical unit, a bath and laundry complex, rooms for visits, a shop, a library, a room for receiving parcels, and administrative offices.

At the time of the visit, the head of the institution was Colonel of the Internal Service Valerii Borysovych Apakidze.

According to the institution’s administration, the authorised staff number is 219.5 positions, with an actual number of 183.5 positions. The total staff shortage for the institution is 36 employees. The planned capacity of the facility is 656 persons. The actual number of individuals held in the institution is 519 prisoners. There are 12 SPS units functioning in the institution, as well as an ESW, an MSS, and a QDDW. Two psychologists are employed.

During 2025, 360 persons arrived at the colony. During 2025, 1 prisoner died. The operational-preventive register included: 24 persons prone to suicide, 34 persons prone to self-harm, and 22 malicious violators of the detention regime. During 2025, 1 person was released due to serious illness. During 2025–2026, no complaints from prisoners regarding inadequate conditions of detention or inadequate provision of medical care were recorded.

There are 56 persons on the HIV/AIDS register, 52 of whom are receiving ART therapy. 41 persons have disabilities: 6 persons – Group II, 35 persons – Group III. 1,541.40 hryvnias are spent per prisoner per month. Prisoners have 355 tablets for personal use. In total, 81 people belong to the category of 'outcasts' (marginalised).

During 2025, 22 cases of bodily injuries while in the facility were recorded: 6 were of a non-occupational nature and 16 were cases of self-harm; during 2026, 2 cases of bodily injuries were recorded while in the institution – self-harm.

The monitoring group interviewed about 220 prisoners during visits to production facilities, workshops, SPS units, the MSS, disciplinary premises, and utility rooms, as well as during general conversations, providing consultations, answering questions, conducting surveys regarding human rights violations, and engaging in individual communication with persons, including on an anonymous basis.

Positive Experience

During the monitoring visit, it was established that the administration of PCC-49 is taking measures aimed at improving the material and living conditions for prisoners, sanitary and hygienic provisions, and the conditions of service for personnel. During the visit, the monitoring group recorded the carrying out of renovation and restoration work in the living, sanitary, and office premises of the institution.

The administration is implementing measures to update utility networks, ventilation systems, power supply, improve sanitary and hygienic conditions, and modernise certain infrastructure facilities of the institution. Work aimed at ensuring better privacy conditions for prisoners during sanitary and hygienic procedures is viewed positively.

The monitoring group also noted work being carried out to improve conditions in the QDDW, as well as the operation of a psycho-emotional relief room for psychological work with prisoners. In addition, the administration of the institution is taking measures to improve the service conditions for staff, including through renovation work and the updating of certain office premises.

Detected Violations of National and International Legislation

During the monitoring visit, violations of the requirements of national legislation and non-compliance with international recommendations in the field of prisoner treatment were identified, which lead to violations of the rights of prisoners:

1. The procedure and conditions for admitting prisoners to the institution do not fully comply with the requirements of the current legislation of Ukraine and international standards for the treatment of prisoners.

In accordance with points 1 and 2 of Section II of the Regulation on the Quarantine, Diagnosis, and Distribution Ward, approved by Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 04.11.2013 No. 2300/5 (hereinafter – the QDDW Regulation), in order to organise work with newly arrived prisoners, the head of the institution shall issue an order to create a working group consisting of deputy heads of the institution, heads of structural units, a psychologist, and a medical worker. To plan the aforementioned work, a programme for familiarising newly arrived prisoners with the order and conditions of serving their sentence is drawn up annually, which is approved by the head of the institution.

In accordance with point 8 of Section II of the QDDW Regulation, the detention of prisoners in isolation (quarantine) conditions, among other things, involves the implementation of a programme for familiarising prisoners with the conditions and order of serving their sentences. However, during confidential communication with prisoners and an analysis of official documentation, the monitoring group established that the members of the working group are not carrying out the measures provided for by the said programme.

The lack of systematic organisation of work is confirmed, in particular, by entries in the logbook of visits to the quarantine, diagnosis, and distribution ward (hereinafter – QDDW) by representatives of the administration. Thus, as of 31.03.2026, there were 8 people in the ward who arrived at the institution on 24.03.2026, whereas the last entry in the logbook was dated 18.03.2026, which may indicate a failure to perform the envisaged measures in the period from 19.03.2026 to 31.03.2026.

A similar violation was established during the previous monitoring visit, which indicates its repetitive and systemic nature.

2. The monitoring group established that the material and living conditions of the QDDW do not fully comply with the established regulatory requirements. Thus, in violation of the requirements of the Standards for the provision of furniture, inventory, and household items for maximum-security correctional colonies, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 27.07.2012 No. 1118/5 (hereinafter – the Provision Standards), the ward lacks a number of premises, namely: a room for educational work; a room for storing the exchange stock of bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a storeroom for the temporary storage of dirty bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a cloakroom; and a utility room.

In addition, certain premises of the ward require renovation work. The absence of the aforementioned premises or their improper equipment leads to a violation of sanitary and hygienic standards and complicates the maintenance of cleanliness and order in the premises where prisoners are held, which, in turn, negatively affects the overall sanitary state of the institution.

3. In the QDDW, facts indicating a violation of Article 8 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which guarantees the right to respect for private life, were established. Specifically, in violation of Rule 18.1 of the European Prison Rules, the beds in the living quarters of the ward are located right next to each other, which makes it impossible to provide prisoners with the minimum necessary personal space.

Furthermore, the general sanitary unit in the ward is not equipped with partitions or doors that ensure the possibility of privacy, which is a violation of the requirements of Rule 19.3 of the European Prison Rules.

4. During the visit to the QDDW, it was established that the washing room is not equipped in accordance with the requirements of the Provision Standards, in particular with a shower cabin with a mixer tap and a shower head on a flexible hose, due to which proper conditions for the maintenance of personal hygiene for prisoners are not ensured.

5. The administration of the institution has not taken sufficient measures to ensure barrier-free access for persons with disabilities and other groups with reduced mobility to the buildings and premises of the institution, which does not meet the requirements of the State Building Norms of Ukraine V.2.2-40:2018 ‘Inclusivity of buildings and structures. Basic provisions’.

Specifically, the stairs leading to the second floor of the QDDW, where the living quarters are located, do not meet the requirements of safety and accessibility for persons with disabilities, especially for persons with musculoskeletal disorders. The actual state of the said stairs indicates the creation of barriers to access and discriminatory conditions for persons with disabilities and other groups with reduced mobility, which requires urgent resolution through technical re-equipment or the provision of alternative safe methods of access.

6. During the visit to the QDDW, it was established that there was an absence of visual information in the ward's premises indicating the 'hotline' telephone numbers, as well as the postal and email addresses of the European Court of Human Rights and the regional centre for the provision of free legal aid, which contradicts point 6 of Section II of the Internal Regulations of Penal Institutions, approved by Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 28.08.2018 No. 2823/5 (hereinafter – IRPI).

7. The layout of the institution’s disciplinary isolation cell premises (hereinafter – DIC/CTP), as during the previous visit, does not fully comply with the established standards for the treatment of prisoners and does not ensure proper material, living, and sanitary-hygienic conditions, which leads to a violation of the rights of prisoners and indicates the long-term failure of the institution's administration to take appropriate response measures.

One of the most critical problems is excessive humidity in the DIC premises: dampness of the floors and walls, which are covered with mould due to systemic water leakage, was recorded in a number of cells and the corridor, resulting in a persistent unsanitary state. A similar situation was established in the enhanced supervision ward (ESW), which indicates the widespread and systemic nature of the identified violations.

This situation creates a real threat to the health of detained persons due to long-term stays in a damp environment, exposure to mould, and an increased risk of developing respiratory, skin, and infectious diseases.

8. In the cell-type premises of the DIC/CTP and ESW, a proper level of natural lighting is not ensured, as the cell windows are small in size, located at a significant height, and have excessive bars, as a result of which access to natural light is limited and insufficient to ensure normal living conditions. These conditions create additional psychological discomfort for convicted and detained persons due to limited visual contact with the external environment. This does not meet the requirements of Rule 18.2 (a) of the European Prison Rules and Rule 14 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

9. Sanitary facilities in the cell-type premises of the DIC/CTP and ESW are not equipped with sufficient partitions to ensure the possibility of privacy, which violates Rule 19.3 of the European Prison Rules. Furthermore, in the report of the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the Committee called upon the Ukrainian authorities to take the necessary measures to improve the material conditions of detention, in particular: to maintain all areas where convicted and detained persons are accommodated, including sanitary facilities, in a proper state of repair and hygiene; to ensure regular and frequent disinfestation; to ensure sufficient access to natural light and ventilation in the cells; and to fully equip internal sanitary facilities with partitions (i.e., from floor to ceiling) (CPT/Inf (2024) 20) point 58).

10. During the visit to the cell-type premises of the DIC/CTP and ESW, the absence of visual information in the cell premises indicating the ‘hotline’ telephone numbers, as well as the postal and email addresses of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Prosecutor General, regional and district prosecutor's offices, the Department, the interregional office, as well as the regional centre for the provision of free legal aid, was established. This contradicts point 6 of Section II of the IRPI.

11. During the visit to the DIC/CTP, it was established that for prisoners who were serving a disciplinary penalty, the institution's administration did not provide a copy of the decision on the application of the penalty with an indication of the possibility and procedure for appealing it, which contradicts Article 135 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine. At the same time, in the report of the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the Committee recommended taking measures in penal institutions of Ukraine to ensure that prisoners to whom a disciplinary penalty has been applied systematically receive a copy of the relevant decision. Furthermore, prisoners should be informed of their right to access a lawyer in the context of disciplinary proceedings (CPT/Inf (2024) 20) point 103).

12. According to the twenty-third paragraph of point 6 of Section XXI of the IRPI, for the purpose of conducting individual preventive work, the head of the social-psychological service unit, upon the placement/transfer of a prisoner and at least once a week, visits the DIC, punishment cells, and CTP (SC). Following the results of the visit to the DIC, punishment cells, and CTP (SC), they are obliged to make corresponding notes in the logbook of visits to the disciplinary isolation cell, cell-type premises, solitary confinement cells, and punishment cells by the administration of the penal institution.

However, during the inspection of the DIC visit logbook, it was established that there were no entries that, in accordance with current regulatory requirements, should have been made by the head of social-psychological service unit No. 9 during the serving of disciplinary penalties by prisoners Ya. and P. in the period from 23.03.2026 to 29.03.2026. This violation may indicate the actual failure of the head of social-psychological service unit No. 9 to perform their duties and the improper organisation of social, educational, and psychological work.

13. During the visit to the DIC/CTP and an analysis of official documentation, the monitoring group established that the psychologist does not visit prisoners who are serving a disciplinary penalty in the DIC, as provided for by the twenty-sixth paragraph of point 6 of Section XXI of the IRPI, in particular, at least once a week. This is confirmed by the absence of corresponding entries in the logbook of visits to the disciplinary isolation cell and cell-type premises by representatives of the penal institution’s administration.

14. Point 1 of Section XXIII of the IRPI defines that the supervision of prisoners is a system of measures aimed at ensuring the serving and execution of criminal sentences in the form of restriction and deprivation of liberty, life imprisonment, and arrest through 24-hour and constant control over the behaviour of prisoners in their places of residence and work, the prevention and cessation of unlawful actions on their part, and the assurance of the requirements for the isolation of prisoners and the safety of penal institution personnel.

Thus, during the inspection of the DIC/CTP and ESW cell premises, installed video surveillance cameras were recorded. However, in its report in 2012, the Committee criticised excessive interference with privacy through the installation of video cameras in prisoners' living quarters and noted that any decision to apply video surveillance to a specific prisoner should always be based on an individual assessment of real risks and must be reviewed frequently on a regular basis. Video surveillance is a serious interference with the private life of prisoners and makes the regime even more repressive, especially when applied over a long period (CPT/Inf (2013) 23) point 52).

15. During the visit to the ESW, it was established that the material and living conditions of the ward do not fully comply with the established regulatory requirements. Thus, in violation of the requirements of the Provision Standards, a number of premises are missing, namely: a room for educational work; a room for storing the exchange stock of bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a storeroom for the temporary storage of dirty bedding, clothing, and special workwear; a cloakroom; a utility room; and a drying room. The absence of the aforementioned premises or their improper equipment leads to a violation of sanitary and hygienic standards and complicates the maintenance of cleanliness and order in the premises where prisoners are held, which, in turn, negatively affects the overall sanitary state of the institution.

16. In violation of the requirements of the Provision Standards, the institution's canteen lacks a cloakroom, as a result of which prisoners are forced to eat while wearing outdoor clothing.

17. The monitoring group established a number of violations in the organisation of bath and laundry services for convicted and detained persons. In accordance with point 3.19.1 of Section III of the Regulation on the organisation of bath and laundry services for persons held in penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 08.06.2021 No. 849/5 (hereinafter – the Regulation), sanitary treatment involves washing prisoners (persons taken into custody) in a bathhouse using soap and a washcloth, mandatory replacement of bedding and underwear, and conducting disinfection (destruction of pathogenic microorganisms) and disinfestation (destruction of insects and mites that are carriers of infectious diseases) of personal clothing and bedding (pillows, mattresses, blankets) in a disinfection chamber.

However, as established by the monitoring group, the disinfection chamber in the institution is not working, which makes proper sanitary treatment of bedding and clothing impossible, increases the risk of the spread of infectious diseases among prisoners and staff, and contradicts established sanitary and hygienic standards.

18. The monitoring group established that prisoners have the opportunity to visit the bathhouse only once a week. This violates the requirements of point 19.4 of the European Prison Rules and point 3.1 of the Regulation on the organisation of bath and laundry services.

19. In violation of the requirements of point 4 of Section XXII of the IRPI and point 3.19 of Section III of the Regulation on the organisation of bath and laundry services, adherence to sanitary, hygienic, and anti-epidemic requirements is not ensured in the institution. Specifically, sanitary treatment of the prisoners held in the institution is not being conducted. Thus, for the period from 26.02.2026 to 14.03.2026, there are no records of the washing of prisoners in the bathhouse visit logbook. According to staff, this situation arose in connection with renovation work in the bathhouse and laundry.

20. In violation of the requirements of Rule 19.3 of the European Prison Rules, the right to privacy in the shower room is not ensured due to the lack of curtains on the shower partitions.

21. During the visit to the institution, the monitoring group established that the institution’s shop lacks socks, mirrors, combs, envelopes, stamps, devices for consuming tobacco products and inhaling aerosols (vapour) without combustion, as well as chargers for them, the availability of which is provided for by Appendix 5 to the IRPI.

22. During the visit to the institution’s library, the monitoring group established that, contrary to the requirements of the third paragraph of point 4 of Section XX of the IRPI, the library's book collection does not include texts of the European Prison Rules, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), or the Law of Ukraine ‘On the Prosecutor’s Office’.

23. During the visit, the monitoring group recorded that the institution's personnel who are in direct contact with prisoners openly carry special equipment, in particular, rubber batons. However, according to the eighth paragraph of point 1 of Section XXVI of the IRPI, the carrying of special equipment by penal institution personnel within the protected territory of the penal institution should, if possible, be kept maximally concealed from the surroundings.

At the same time, the Committee recommends that penal staff working in direct contact with prisoners should not carry special equipment (such as rubber batons, handcuffs, and tear gas canisters) openly before prisoners, as such carrying hinders the establishment of normal relations between staff and prisoners (CPT/Inf (2011) 29) point 85; (CPT/Inf (2013) 23) point 23; (CPT/Inf (2014) 15) point 166).

24. According to information provided by the administration, during 2025 at the state institution ‘Petrivska Correctional Colony (No. 49)’, prisoners were granted 76 short-term visits, 24 of which took place in a non-contact manner – through solid dividing glass using an intercom system. At the same time, in the report of the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture emphasises that for all categories of prisoners, open visits (e.g., at a table) should be the rule, and closed visits the exception, the application of which is permitted only on the basis of substantiated and reasoned decisions after an individual assessment of the potential risk of a specific prisoner. In this regard, the Committee calls upon the Ukrainian authorities to review the procedure for conducting short-term visits in penal institutions with the aim of ensuring that they are conducted, as a rule, in open conditions (CPT/Inf (2024) 20) point 99).

25. According to official documentation, the staff shortage at the institution as of 31.03.2026 is 36 authorised units. At the same time, in the report of the Government of Ukraine following the 2023 visit, the Committee emphasises that ensuring a positive climate in a penal institution requires a professional team of staff who must be present in sufficient numbers at any moment in time in detention places.

An insufficient number of staff can only increase the risk of intimidation and violence between prisoners. A lack of ‘front-line’ staff also undermines the quality and level of measures offered to prisoners and jeopardises the prospect of preparation for release and social rehabilitation. In this regard, the Committee calls upon the Ukrainian authorities to take decisive measures to significantly increase the number of staff in penal institutions in Ukraine where low staffing levels are observed, with the aim of strengthening the presence of security and supervision service staff inside the institutions. It is also necessary to take measures to put an end to 24-hour shifts for personnel on duty (CPT/Inf (2024) 20) point 93).

26. During the monitoring visit to the institution, the monitoring group received numerous complaints from prisoners regarding the actual lack of access to the global internet. During confidential communication, prisoners reported that the use of the internet is not actually permitted by the institution’s administration, and the realisation of the relevant right has an exclusively formal character.

During a tour of the SPS units, the monitoring group did not find any tablet device, computer equipment, or other equipment that would be used by prisoners for internet access. Also, during the inspection of the internet usage logbook, the absence of any entries regarding the provision of internet access to prisoners was established, which indicates the actual failure to provide such a service in the institution.

In accordance with part one of Article 110 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, prisoners sentenced to deprivation of liberty are guaranteed the right to use the global internet. The procedure for the realisation of this right is defined by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 19.10.2017 No. 3233/5 ‘On approval of the Procedure for organising the provision of internet access to prisoners’. In accordance with the provisions of the said Procedure, the institution’s administration is obliged to ensure the technical possibility of internet access for prisoners, organise appropriate access points, maintain an internet usage logbook, and ensure the realisation by prisoners of their right to access information and maintain socially useful ties.

The actual absence of technical means of internet access, the absence of entries in the logbook, and numerous complaints from prisoners indicate improper performance by the institution's administration of the requirements of Article 110 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine and Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No. 3233/5. In addition, the lack of internet access negatively affects the realisation of prisoners' right to maintain socially useful ties, access information, educational resources, and opportunities for self-education, which is an important part of the resocialisation process.

The European Prison Rules stipulate that the administration of penal institutions must facilitate the maintenance of social contacts between prisoners and the outside world and create conditions for their social adaptation. In modern conditions, access to information resources and electronic means of communication is an integral part of such a process. Thus, the circumstances established during the visit indicate the formal nature of the assurance of prisoners' right to use the internet and the improper performance by the institution's administration of the requirements of national legislation in this area.

27. During the monitoring visit, the monitoring group conducted a selective inspection of prisoners' individual work diaries, materials on risk assessment of re-offending, individual social-educational work programmes, and psychological support documents.

In MSS No. 2, it was established that prisoner L., who arrived at the institution on 24.02.2026, has an individual work diary created, but the initial risk assessment for re-offending was absent as of the day of the visit. The individual social-educational work programme has not actually been implemented, the results of its execution are not reflected in the diary, and in the psychological support section, data from psychological testing, psychological characteristics, and recommendations regarding the organisation of individual work with the prisoner are absent.

This indicates a violation of point 4 of Section II of the Methodological Recommendations on conducting risk assessments for re-offending by prisoners sentenced to deprivation of liberty, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 27.11.2020 No. 4121/5, in accordance with which the initial risk assessment should be conducted no later than 30 calendar days from the moment of the prisoner's arrival at the institution.

In addition, the identified shortcomings contradict the requirements of point 9 of Section I of the Regulation on the social-psychological service unit, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 04.11.2013 No. 2300/5, as well as point 2 of Section V of the Typical Job Duties of a psychologist of a penal institution and pre-trial detention centre. During the inspection of documentation in SPS unit No. 10, it was established that for prisoner L., an individual work diary had been created and a risk assessment for re-offending had been conducted, but an individual social-educational work programme was absent.

Thus, the institution has failed to ensure proper planning and implementation of individual social-educational work with the prisoner, which contradicts the requirements of the seventh paragraph of point 9 of Section I of the Regulation on the social-psychological service unit and point 4 of Section II of the Methodological Recommendations on conducting risk assessments.

The identified violations indicate a formal approach to the organisation of social-educational and psychological work with prisoners, a lack of proper psychological support, as well as improper performance of measures aimed at resocialisation and preparing prisoners for law-abiding behaviour after release.

28. During the monitoring visit, the monitoring group inspected the shelters located on the territory of SPS No. 8, No. 9, and No. 10. Based on the results of the inspection, it was established that the shelters are used as protective structures for prisoners to stay in during an ‘Air Raid’ signal; however, their sanitary-technical condition does not fully comply with the requirements for safety and proper conditions for people.

It was established that the shelters are equipped with a second emergency exit, which generally meets the basic safety requirements regarding the possibility of alternative evacuation of persons in an emergency situation. The premises also have a ventilation system, but its functioning is insufficient and does not ensure proper air exchange in the premises, especially considering the possible prolonged stay of a significant number of people.

During the inspection of the shelters, increased humidity, dampness of the premises, and traces of constant waterlogging were recorded. There are traces of moisture and leakage on the walls and floors, and in some places, water accumulation is observed, which indicates the inadequate technical condition of the premises and the lack of an effective drainage system. In certain parts of the shelter, a persistent smell of dampness and insufficient air circulation were recorded, which, in conditions of a prolonged stay of people, can negatively affect the health of prisoners and staff.

Furthermore, the absence of a properly equipped sewerage system and sanitary facilities within the shelters was established. In fact, ensuring the basic sanitary and hygienic needs of persons during a prolonged stay in the shelter is difficult. The recorded conditions do not ensure a proper level of sanitation and may create additional risks in conditions of prolonged air raid alerts or other emergency situations.

The identified shortcomings indicate non-compliance with the requirements of points 7 and 8 of Section II of the Requirements for the maintenance and operation of civil protection shelters, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated 09.07.2018 No. 579, in accordance with which protective structures must be maintained in a state that ensures readiness for use for their intended purpose, and their engineering systems, in particular ventilation, drainage, and sanitary-technical provisions, must be in good working order. In addition, in accordance with point 6 of Section VIII of the said Requirements, proper sanitary and hygienic conditions for the stay of people must be ensured in protective structures.

Also, the identified circumstances do not fully comply with the requirements of Article 115 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, in accordance with which proper material, living, and sanitary-hygienic conditions corresponding to the rules of sanitation and hygiene must be created in places of detention. According to Article 8 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, prisoners have the right to conditions of detention that meet the requirements of safety and respect for human dignity.

In addition to national legislation, the identified shortcomings do not align with the provisions of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and the European Prison Rules, in accordance with which premises used for the stay of prisoners must ensure proper ventilation, protection from moisture, and safe sanitary conditions.

The identified violations indicate the necessity of conducting renovation work, eliminating the causes of waterlogging, installing a proper drainage and sewerage system, and improving the operation of the ventilation system with the aim of ensuring safe and proper conditions for prisoners in shelters during air raid alerts.

29. During the monitoring visit to PCC-49, the monitoring group investigated the organisation of prisoners' labour, the procedure for the documentary formalisation of employment relations, the maintenance of timesheets, working conditions, wage levels, issues of paying the single contribution to compulsory state social insurance, and ensuring the prisoners' right to social protection and insurance periods.

According to documents provided by the administration, the institution has wood-processing and carpentry workshops, a canteen, a boiler room, a bath and laundry complex, a barbershop, as well as units for household maintenance and auxiliary work. As counterparties of the institution, LLC ‘R.’ and LLC ‘T.’ are listed. The main production activity of the institution is related to wood processing and the performance of household work aimed at ensuring the functioning of the institution itself.

At the time of the visit, nine prisoners were working in the industrial zone in the wood-processing workshop. However, the institution's administration reported that production activity is actually in a state of downtime due to a lack of orders, and the last order was received on 12.03.2026. Documents provided to the monitoring group confirm the existence of a contract for wood processing from customer-supplied raw materials, concluded with LLC ‘R.’, the subject of which is the production of firewood. At the same time, the actual volume of production, the number of prisoners involved, and the accrual of wages indicate a low level of real employment of prisoners and the absence of a stable production process.

An analysis of timesheets, payroll statements, and other official documentation revealed signs of formal maintenance of records of prisoners’ labour. Some timesheets contain only isolated entries of hours worked, some documents are partially filled out, and some do not contain full daily labour records. This state of documentation does not allow for a reliable determination of the actual duration of working hours, the volume of work performed, and the real nature of the prisoners' employment. In a number of cases, the number of hours worked is disproportionately low and amounts to only 25–39 hours per month, which indicates the unstable nature of the work and the absence of systematic provision of work for prisoners.

Special attention during the visit was paid to the organisation of prisoners’ labour in the institution's canteen. In the hourly check logbook as of 10:20, the presence of two persons in the canteen premises was noted, whereas, in fact, there were four prisoners there. Such an inconsistency indicates the improper maintenance of control logs and the absence of reliable accounting of persons involved in the performance of work.

During the investigation of the logbook for the issuance of sharp/cutting objects in the institution's canteen, it was established that on 30.03.2026, prisoners T., R., and B. received knives at 01:10 at night and returned them only at 20:00 in the evening. Such entries may indicate the involvement of prisoners in work for an excessively long time, including during the night period, without proper documentary reflection of the labour and rest regime. At the same time, documents confirming the legality of establishing such a work regime were not provided to the monitoring group.

Improper maintenance of the tool and inventory logbook in the residential zone was also established. Specifically, cases were recorded where institution staff received a large number of tools, including axes, without further information being reflected on which specific prisoners these tools were actually given to for the performance of work. The logbook contains entries about the receipt of eight axes by an institution employee without further detailing their use. Such an approach creates risks of hidden use of prisoners' labour beyond proper documentary control and indicates improper organisation of production inventory accounting.

The monitoring group also investigated individual cases. It was established that prisoner R., who works in the canteen on a vegetable slicer, is serving a ten-year sentence and has actually served over seven years of the sentence. He is held in unit No. 2. However, the provided documents did not allow for the establishment of a clear regime of his labour, the volume of work actually performed, and the compliance of the duration of work with established labour guarantees.

The issue of the labour of prisoner G., who is involved in work at the institution's boiler room, was investigated separately. An analysis of timesheets and other documentation also revealed the fragmentary nature of accounting and the absence of proper consistency in recording hours worked.

Special attention during the investigation was paid to issues of wages and ensuring the social protection of prisoners. The provided payroll statements indicate that a significant portion of prisoners receive extremely low wages. In many cases, the accrual amounts were around 661–1323 hryvnias per month, after which tax deductions and other withholdings were made. The actual amounts remaining for prisoners after deductions were minimal and did not ensure proper material incentive for work and real social protection.

The institution provided trial balance sheets regarding the accrual and payment of the single contribution to compulsory state social insurance, but the formal payment of the single contribution by itself does not guarantee a full insurance period. In accordance with legislation, a full month of insurance period is credited only on the condition of payment of the minimum insurance contribution. Under conditions where prisoners' wages are extremely low and the volume of hours worked is minimal, there is a risk of partial accrual of the insurance period. In effect, this leads to a situation where prisoners are formally covered by the social insurance system but, in the long term, do not receive full pension provision and proper social guarantees.

An analysis of fixed-term employment contracts showed that they are predominantly formal in nature and do not ensure a real balance of labour rights and guarantees. Despite references in the contracts to Article 118 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine and certain provisions of the Labour Code of Ukraine, the content of the contracts does not reflect the actual nature of employment relations, the stability of employment, and the real assurance of the right to work. The terms of the contracts do not contain sufficient specification regarding the work regime, the guaranteed volume of work, and mechanisms for ensuring stable wage payments.

In accordance with Article 43 of the Constitution of Ukraine, everyone has the right to work, which includes the opportunity to earn a living by work that they freely choose or to which they freely agree. Article 118 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine stipulates that prisoners have the right to work and are involved in socially useful paid labour on the basis of an employment contract. Article 119 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine provides for the necessity of observing the rules of occupational health, safety, and labour legislation during the organisation of prisoners’ labour.

In addition, in accordance with the European Prison Rules and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), prisoners’ labour should not have a punitive character, and its organisation should be as close as possible to working conditions in freedom and contribute to the resocialisation, professional training, and social protection of the individual.

Based on the results of the monitoring visit, it was established that the organisation of labour at PCC-49 is characterised by signs of fictitious employment of prisoners, unstable employment, improper maintenance of accounting documentation, extremely low wage levels, and risks of incomplete accrual of insurance periods. The identified circumstances indicate the non-compliance of certain aspects of labour organisation with the requirements of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, legislation on social insurance, and international standards for the treatment of prisoners.

Medical Unit No. 49 of the branch of the state institution ‘Health Centre of the State Penal Service of Ukraine’ in the Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions

Acting Head of Medical Unit No. 49 – Doctor of the branch of the state institution ‘Health Centre of the State Penal Service of Ukraine’ in the Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions (hereinafter – the medical unit) Yana Anatoliivna Demianenko.

At the time of the visit, the position of clinical psychologist remained vacant – 0.5 authorised units.

10 persons were receiving inpatient treatment.

During the monitoring visit, the monitoring group carried out a study of medical documentation, an inspection of the medical unit's premises, and conducted individual interviews (surveys) with prisoners, based on the results of which shortcomings in the organisation of medical support were established, leading to a violation of the rights of the said persons:

1. During the visit, the monitoring group established that for two patients who were receiving inpatient treatment in the medical unit, the primary medical record form No. 003/o ‘Inpatient Medical Card’, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 14.02.2012 No. 110, had not been created. All data regarding treatment and diagnostics in the inpatient ward, including the results of examinations of the prisoner and the prescription sheet, must be entered into the said form. The identified issue violates the requirements of point 5 of Chapter 5 of Section II of the Procedure for organising the provision of medical care to prisoners sentenced to deprivation of liberty, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 15.08.2014 No. 1348/5/572 (hereinafter – the Procedure).

2. In violation of the requirements of the Instructions on filling out the primary medical record form No. 003-6/o ‘Informed voluntary consent of the patient for the conduct of diagnostics, treatment, and for the conduct of surgery and anaesthesia and for the presence or participation of participants in the educational process’, approved by Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 14.02.2012 No. 110, the absence of informed voluntary consents for the conduct of diagnostics and treatment, signed by patients who were in the medical unit’s inpatient ward, was established. This may indicate the absence of voluntary consent from patients for the application of diagnostic, preventive, and treatment methods upon them, which is a violation of Article 43 of the Law of Ukraine ‘Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare’ and point 47 of the Committee’s recommendations (CPT/Inf (93) 12-part).

3. During the visit, the monitoring group established that the medical staff does not ensure the proper recording and documentation of bodily injuries of persons deprived of their liberty.

During the study of medical documentation, it was established that in outpatient medical cards No. 025/o, photographs of existing bodily injuries are not attached to the compiled medical reports, as provided for by point 3 of Section I of Chapter II of the Procedure. At the same time, the Committee, in its report following the 2023 visit to Ukraine, notes that any traumatic injuries detected during a medical examination must be photographed in detail, and the photographs, together with body diagrams, must be kept in the individual medical file of the person (CPT/Inf (2024) 20) point 82).

4. In accordance with point 3.11 of the Regulation on the organisation of bath and laundry services for persons held in penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 08.06.2021 No. 849/5 (hereinafter – the Regulation on bath and laundry services), in the undressing (dressing) rooms of the bathhouse, for the purpose of conducting a physical examination and providing medical assistance to convicted persons (persons taken into custody), a place (corner) for the medical assistant (feldsher) of the medical unit (medical post) of the state institution ‘Health Centre of the State Penal Service of Ukraine’ is equipped, which must be provided with a table, a chair, and a logbook for recording physical examinations in the bathhouse, maintained according to the form defined in Appendix 6 to this Regulation.

However, during the examination of the logbook for recording physical examinations in the bathhouse, it was established that the last entry by a medical professional as of 31.03.2026 was dated 05.03.2026, which indicates an absence of proper registration of the results of physical examinations of prisoners during the specified period.

Such inaction does not ensure the timely detection and recording of possible bodily injuries, makes proper medical control over the state of health of prisoners impossible, and reduces the effectiveness of preventing cases of violence.

The aforementioned also does not comply with point 60 of the Committee’s recommendations, which states that medical services in places of detention can make a contribution to the prevention of violence against persons held in custody through the systematic recording of bodily injuries, and also, if necessary, through informing the appropriate authorities (CPT/Inf (93) 12-part).

5. In violation of the requirements of point 1 of Chapter 5 of Section II of the Procedure, as well as the tenth paragraph of point 2 of Section XVII of the Internal Regulations of Penal Institutions, approved by Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 28.08.2018 No. 2823/5 (hereinafter – IRPI), there are prisoners in the medical unit’s inpatient ward who perform the duties of orderlies.

However, the Committee has repeatedly emphasised the inadmissibility of using prisoners as assistants in medical units and as orderlies, recommending that the state put an end to this practice (reports following visits to Ukraine: 2005 – point 132, CPT/Inf (2007) 22; 2013 – point 151, CPT/Inf (2014) 15; 2017 – point 86, CPT/Inf (2018) 41).

6. In violation of the requirements of point 9 of the Rules for the application of physical restraint and (or) isolation when providing psychiatric care to persons suffering from mental disorders, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 24.03.2016 No. 240, registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 15.04.2016 under No. 570/28700, as well as point 8.3.4 of the State Building Norms of Ukraine V.2.2-10:2022 ‘Healthcare institutions’, the isolation ward for persons with mental disorders does not meet the established requirements.

Specifically, the area of the premises is less than 7 m², and the distance between the walls is less than 2 metres. The windows are located at a significant height and are small in size, as a result of which natural light practically does not penetrate the room.

There is no washbasin or sanitary unit in the room, which deprives individuals of the possibility of unhindered access to sanitary and hygienic conditions; no tanks for drinking water have been installed; and there is no mechanical ventilation.

Taken together, the specified conditions make the safe and dignified stay of a person in isolation impossible, create risks to life and health, and are incompatible with the principles of humane treatment.

7. During the analysis of medical documentation, it was established that persons receiving outpatient treatment from a psychiatrist have not signed the primary medical record form No. 003-8/o ‘Informed consent of the person for outpatient psychiatric care’. The absence of signed consent makes proper confirmation of the voluntary nature of the receipt of psychiatric care by patients and the application of appropriate diagnostic, preventive, and treatment methods upon them impossible.

Such a violation indicates non-compliance with the requirements of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Psychiatric Care’, as well as the Instructions on filling out primary medical record forms, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 15.09.2016 No. 970, and Rule 32(b) of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

Furthermore, in violation of the requirements of the Instruction on filling out the primary medical record form No. 003-7/o ‘Informed consent of the person for the conduct of a psychiatric examination’, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 15.09.2016 No. 970, the absence of informed consent for the conduct of a psychiatric examination, signed by the patient, was established in the medical documentation (medical card No. 025/o or No. 003/o).

8. In the medical unit, the provision of substitution maintenance therapy (hereinafter – SMT) for persons with mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of opioids is not organised in accordance with the Procedure for conducting substitution maintenance therapy for persons with mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of opioids, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 27.03.2012 No. 200.

Drug-dependent persons are not provided with social-psychological support, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), relapse prevention, motivational interviewing, self-help groups, etc.

Thus, these persons are deprived of the opportunity to receive SMT, which violates their right to choose methods of treatment in accordance with Article 38 of the Law of Ukraine ‘Fundamentals of the Legislation of Ukraine on Healthcare’.

At the same time, the Committee, in its report following the 2023 visit to Ukraine, notes that entry into a penal institution is an opportunity to resolve a drug-related problem, and therefore it is important that appropriate assistance be offered to all interested persons; hence, appropriate medical service must be available in all institutions. The assistance offered to such persons must be diverse; substitution therapy programmes for persons with drug dependence must be combined with genuine psychosocial and educational programmes for persons with opioid dependence who are unable to stop using drugs. Furthermore, access to SMT programmes in institutions should be easily available, and they should also be managed by prison doctors who must have undergone special training on issues related to drug use (CPT/Inf (2024) 20) point 86).

9. In violation of the requirements of the Measures and means for preventing infection when providing care to patients, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 03.08.2020 No. 1777, only one isolation ward for infectious patients is equipped in the medical unit, which makes the simultaneous placement of persons suffering from dangerous infectious diseases separately from each other and from other prisoners impossible.

The sanitary unit of the isolation ward is not equipped with a door, which does not ensure adherence to the right to privacy. There is also no tank with boiled drinking water.

In addition, during measurements of the area of the said premises, it was established that the distance between the opposite walls is less than 2 metres, which does not comply with the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Specifically, in the report following the 2012 visit to Ukraine, the Committee emphasises that single cells should have a living area of at least 6 m² (excluding the sanitary unit), and the distance between the walls should be at least 2 metres (CPT/Inf (2013) 23) point 45).

10. According to the twenty-third paragraph of point 6 of Section XXI of the IRPI, for the provision of medical assistance, the head of the medical unit (the doctor on duty) visits the DIC, punishment cells, and CTP (SC) daily and, if necessary, conducts examinations of prisoners. Following the results of the visit to the DIC, punishment cells, and CTP (SC), they are obliged to make corresponding notes in the logbook of visits to the disciplinary isolation cell, cell-type premises, solitary confinement cells, and punishment cells by the administration of the penal institution.

However, during the inspection of the said logbook, it was established that there was an absence of corresponding entries by the medical professional for the periods from 21.03.2026 to 24.03.2026 and 26.03.2026, despite the fact that during this time convicted persons were serving disciplinary penalties in the DIC.

The aforementioned violation may indicate the actual failure by the medical professional to perform the duty of daily visiting the disciplinary isolation cell, as well as the absence of proper medical control over the state of health of prisoners who are in disciplinary premises.

11. Dispensary supervision is carried out for 41 persons who have disabilities. Of these, 6 persons – Group II, 35 persons – Group III. However, in violation of the requirements of the Law of Ukraine ‘On the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in Ukraine’, persons with disabilities do not receive proper diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation measures in the presence of information confirming a persistent impairment of body functions, caused by diseases or the consequences of injuries, that cause limitations to normal daily life.

Thus, during the study of the medical documentation of prisoners, it was established that 15 persons who have disabilities lack an individual rehabilitation programme (hereinafter – IRP). Furthermore, the recommendations of the IRP are not being fulfilled, due to which they do not receive proper diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation measures in the presence of information confirming a persistent impairment of body functions, caused by diseases and the consequences of injuries, that cause limitations to normal daily life.

12. In violation of the requirements of the State Building Norms of Ukraine V.2.2-40:2018 ‘Inclusivity of buildings and structures. Basic provisions’, conditions for the detention of people with disabilities have not been created in the medical unit.

13. In violation of point 37 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 02.03.2016 No. 285 ‘On approval of the Licensing conditions for the conduct of economic activities in medical practice’, the medical unit lacks a conclusion confirming free access to the buildings and premises of the medical institution for groups with reduced mobility, the obtaining of which is mandatory.

14. In violation of the Procedure for organising medical care at the primary, secondary (specialised), and tertiary (highly specialised) levels with the use of telemedicine, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 19.10.2015 No. 681, personnel of the medical unit are deprived of the possibility of sending requests for telemedicine consultations and receiving professional assistance for the provision of medical services to prisoners due to technical limitations.

15. In violation of the requirements of the Table of equipment for a workplace of a dentist and dental technician, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 11.04.2005 No. 158, the medical unit lacks a dental X-ray machine, which makes the conduct of in-depth dental examinations of prisoners impossible and does not ensure the timely provision of proper dental care.

16. In violation of the requirements of the Standards of medical care for HCV in adults, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 23.07.2025 No. 1178, not all persons (10 persons as of 31.03.2026) with suspected viral hepatitis C are undergoing PCR testing, due to which they are not receiving the necessary treatment, which may lead to a deterioration of their health and the spread of the specified infectious disease among convicted and detained persons.

17. In violation of the requirements of the Standard of possession of bedding, special clothing, and special footwear (inventory property) for prisoners undergoing treatment in medical-preventive institutions, institutions with the status of medical facilities, and medical units at penal institutions and pre-trial detention centres, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine dated 20.02.2012 No. 280/5, convicted persons do not receive hospital property (hospital suit, robe, and slippers). Prisoners are in the inpatient ward in everyday clothing, sometimes with their own bedding. Certain mattresses require replacement.

18. According to point 7 of Chapter III of Section II of the Procedure, prisoners working at food facilities (except for work related to the positions of sellers, managers of food and clothing warehouses, storekeepers), in the processing industry, in children's homes, institutions of general secondary education, professional training units in special educational colonies, medical units (medical posts) and hospital institutions of the SPS (except for work related to the provision of medical care), laundries, bathhouses, rooms for long-term visits, dormitories, clubs, at water supply and sewage facilities, and at livestock breeding and rearing sites, undergo mandatory preliminary and preventive medical examinations in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 23.05.2001 No. 559 ‘On approval of the list of professions, industries, and organisations whose employees are subject to mandatory preventive medical examinations, the procedure for conducting these examinations, and the issuance of personal medical books’.

For every prisoner of the specified category, the primary medical record form No. 1-OMK ‘Personal medical book’ is created, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 21.02.2013 No. 150, registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 23.04.2013 under No. 662/23194. However, during the inspection of personal medical books for prisoners working in the canteen, it was established that these employees had not undergone a general examination by a dentist and laboratory testing in accordance with the List of necessary examinations by medical specialists, types of clinical, laboratory, and other studies required for conducting mandatory medical examinations, and the frequency of their conduct, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 23.07.2002 No. 280, registered with the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 08.09.2002 under No. 639/6927.

19. During the visit to the medical unit, the absence of visual information in the ward premises and hall indicating the ‘hotline’ telephone numbers, as well as the postal and email addresses of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Court of Human Rights, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Prosecutor General, regional and district prosecutor's offices, the Department, the interregional office, as well as the regional centre for the provision of free legal aid, was established. This contradicts point 6 of Section II of the IRPI.

20. In violation of the Fire Safety Rules in Ukraine, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated 30.12.2014 No. 1417, the premises of the medical unit are not equipped with fire extinguishing and fire alarm systems.

Recommendations:

1. Ensure the proper implementation of the programme for familiarising newly arrived prisoners with the order and conditions of serving their sentences, as well as control over the work of the members of the QDDW working group in accordance with the requirements of the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No. 2300/5.

2. Bring the material and living conditions of the QDDW and the enhanced supervision ward into compliance with the requirements of the Provision Standards, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No. 1118/5, in particular by equipping missing premises and conducting necessary renovation work.

3. Ensure a proper level of privacy in living and sanitary premises by eliminating excessive overcrowding of beds and equipping sanitary units with partitions and doors in accordance with the requirements of the European Prison Rules.

4. Equip washrooms and shower rooms in accordance with established regulatory requirements, ensuring proper conditions for the maintenance of personal hygiene for prisoners.

5. Take measures to ensure barrier-free access for persons with disabilities and other groups with reduced mobility to the institution’s premises in accordance with the requirements of DBN V.2.2-40:2018.

6. Ensure the placement in all wards and cell premises of up-to-date visual information regarding mechanisms for protecting prisoners' rights, addresses and contacts of government authorities, free legal aid, and international institutions.

7. Eliminate the causes of waterlogging, dampness, and mould formation in the DIC/CTP, ESW premises, and shelters, and ensure proper ventilation, natural lighting, and sanitary-hygienic conditions for the stay of prisoners.

8. Ensure proper access to natural lighting and privacy when using sanitary facilities in the DIC/CTP and ESW cell premises in accordance with international standards for the treatment of prisoners.

9. Ensure that prisoners are handed copies of decisions regarding the application of disciplinary penalties with an explanation of the procedure and time limits for their appeal.

10. Ensure the proper performance of duties by social-psychological service staff and the psychologist regarding regular visits to prisoners in the DIC/CTP and the proper maintenance of relevant documentation.

11. Review the practice of applying video surveillance in cell premises, taking into account the principle of proportionality and the prisoners' right to privacy.

12. Ensure proper organisation of bath and laundry services, restore the operation of the disinfection chamber, ensure the regular conduct of sanitary treatment, and increase access for prisoners to the bathhouse in accordance with established norms.

13. Ensure the prisoners' right to privacy in shower rooms by installing curtains or other means of separation.

14. Ensure the availability in the institution’s shop of goods provided for by Appendix 5 to the Internal Regulations of Penal Institutions.

15. Provide the institution’s library with texts of international standards for the treatment of prisoners and the regulatory legal acts provided for by the IRPI.

16. Ensure compliance with the requirements regarding the concealed carrying of special equipment by personnel during direct contact with prisoners.

17. Review the practice of conducting short-term visits and ensure that open visits are held as a general rule, except in cases where there are substantiated risks.

18. Take measures to staff the institution and ensure an appropriate level of presence of employees in the residential zones of the institution.

19. Ensure real access for prisoners to the global internet by setting up appropriate technical means, maintaining logbooks, and the actual realisation of the right provided for by Article 110 of the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine.

20. Ensure the proper conduct of risk assessment, the development and implementation of individual social-educational work programmes, and full psychological support for prisoners.

21. Bring the shelters located on the territory of SPS No. 8, No. 9, and No. 10 into compliance with the requirements of legislation in the field of civil protection, ensuring proper drainage, ventilation, sanitary-technical provision, and safe conditions for the stay of persons during air raid alerts.

22. Ensure proper maintenance of documentation regarding prisoners' labour, reliable accounting of working hours, labour and rest regimes, and eliminate signs of fictitious employment.

23. Ensure adherence to the labour rights of prisoners, including regarding proper remuneration for labour, transparent accrual of wages, full payment of the single contribution to compulsory state social insurance, and real assurance of insurance periods.

24. Review the content of fixed-term employment contracts with prisoners with the aim of bringing them into compliance with the requirements of the Constitution of Ukraine, the Criminal Executive Code of Ukraine, labour legislation, and international standards in the field of labour and social protection.

25. Take measures aimed at eliminating identified human rights violations and preventing torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment in Medical Unit No. 49 of the branch of the state institution ‘Health Centre of the State Penal Service of Ukraine’ in the Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions.

26. Staff the medical unit with medical specialists in accordance with needs.

27. Ensure control over the proper maintenance of medical documentation in accordance with the Procedure for organising the provision of medical care to prisoners sentenced to deprivation of liberty, approved by the joint order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 15.08.2014 No. 1348/5/572, and other regulatory legal acts.

28. Ensure the possibility of receiving substitution maintenance therapy based on a diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders due to the use of opioids.

29. Ensure the equipping of the isolation ward for persons with mental and behavioural disorders in accordance with requirements.

30. Ensure the receipt of informed consent from patients for examination and treatment in the established form.

31. End the practice of using prisoners as orderlies in the inpatient ward, ensuring that supervision, care for patients, and control over adherence to internal regulations are carried out exclusively by the institution's officials and medical personnel.

32. Ensure the maintenance of form No. 003/o ‘Inpatient Medical Card’ for all patients receiving inpatient treatment in accordance with the requirements of the Procedure.

33. Ensure the timely and proper recording of bodily injuries in prisoners.

34. Ensure the equipping in the medical unit of isolation wards for persons suffering from infectious diseases in accordance with established legislative requirements.

35. Ensure compliance with the requirements of the twenty-third paragraph of point 6 of Section XXI of the IRPI through daily visits to the DIC and the timely making of corresponding entries in the logbook in order to guarantee proper medical control over the health status of prisoners.

36. Ensure that all canteen workers possess personal medical books and the full complex of foreseen medical examinations necessary for their admission to work at food facilities.

37. Ensure the conduct of individual rehabilitation for persons who require it.

38. Ensure the accessibility of the institution’s buildings in accordance with the State Building Norms of Ukraine V.2.2-40:2018 ‘Inclusivity of buildings and structures. Basic provisions’.

39. Ensure the proper operation of the telemedicine complex for doctors to make requests for telemedicine consultation.

40. Provide the medical unit with a dental X-ray machine and necessary equipment for conducting full dental examination and treatment.

41. Fulfill the requirements of point 37 of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 02.03.2016 No. 285 ‘On approval of the Licensing conditions for the conduct of economic activities in medical practice’.

42. Provide all persons with suspected HCV with access to PCR testing in the shortest possible time and organise necessary antiviral treatment for persons with a confirmed diagnosis.

43. Provide the medical unit with hospital property (hospital suit, robe, and slippers).

44. Ensure the placement in ward premises and corridors of the medical unit of up-to-date visual information with contact details of bodies and institutions defined by legislation in accordance with the requirements of point 6 of Section II of the IRPI.

45. Eliminate violations of fire safety requirements.