7. Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illnesses and the Improvement of Mental Healthcare These guidelines require all persons, including prisoners, to have access to the best available mental health care, which should be a part of a Member State’s health and social care system. 8. Principles of Medical Ethics relevant to the Role of Health Personnel, particularly Physicians, in the Protection of Prisoners and Detainees against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment These principles guide healthcare personnel (particularly physicians) responsible for medical care of prisoners and detainees as they have a duty to provide medical attention of the same quality and standard, as offered to persons outside prisons. • National legislation Applicable national legislation formed the framework within which standards and conditions of prisons were analysed to recommend the implementation of progressive provisions that are not widely being practiced, and outline laws and provisions that require reform. 1. Prisons Ordinance No.16 of 1877 The Prisons Ordinance is the main national legislation governing the administration of prisons in Sri Lanka. Regulations and laws set out in this Ordinance have been incrementally amended since its inception, although most of the law is still intact since enactment. 2. Subsidiary Legislation under the Prison Ordinance of 1956 Enacted in 1956, these statutory rules supplement the provisions of the Prisons Ordinance. They include provisions on the duties of prison officers, such as the superintendent, jailor, overseer (now known as sergeant) and medical officers, as well as on the rules governing the labour of convicted prisoners, and prisoner needs such as food, bedding etc. 3. Departmental Standing Orders of 1956 The Departmental Standing Orders complement the Prisons Ordinance and Statutory Legislations and are utilized as a guide for prison officers in performing their duties. 25