accommodation which is not restrictive, and at the lowest possible security level, and receive appropriate treatment, rather than being placed in higher security level facilities solely due to their mental health problems. Prison regime [Supplements rules 65, 66 and 70 to 81 of the UN SMR] Rule 42 1 Women prisoners shall have access to a balanced and comprehensive programme of activities which take account of gender-appropriate needs. 2 The regime of the prison shall be flexible enough to respond to the needs of pregnant women, nursing mothers and women with children. Childcare facilities or arrangements shall be provided in prisons in order to enable women prisoners to participate in prison activities. 3 Particular efforts shall be made to provide appropriate programmes for pregnant women, nursing mothers and women with children in prison. 4 Particular efforts shall be made to provide appropriate services for women prisoners who have psychosocial support needs, especially those who have been subjected to physical, mental or sexual abuse. UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) regarding solitary confinement and instruments of restraint The Rules were first adopted in 1957. In 2015 the Rules were revised and adopted unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly as the Nelson Mandela Rules. Solitary confinement Mandela Rule 43 1 In no circumstances may restrictions or disciplinary sanctions amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The following practices, in particular, shall be prohibited:(a) Indefinite solitary confinement;(b) Prolonged solitary confinement;(c) Placement of a prisoner in a dark or constantly lit cell;(d) Corporal punishment or the reduction of a prisoner’s diet or drinking water; (e) Collective punishment. 2 Instruments of restraint shall never be applied as a sanction for disciplinary offences. 3 Disciplinary sanctions or restrictive measures shall not include the 63