police lock-up.35 In fact, this procedure should also be duplicated at all reception points of all places of detention. CHAPTER 1 Based on observations made, the inability of the detaining authorities to provide basic necessities such as toiletries and bedding was mainly due to budgetary shortages. The Commission was made to understand that there were prisons that provide only a pair of cloth to a prisoner for the whole period of detention. Therefore, it is not shocking to find that skin diseases are rampantly spread in prisons. (d) Food Rule 22(1) of the Nelson Mandela Rules requires the authorities to ensure that every prisoner shall be provided with nutritional food adequate for health and strength. In addition, the Prison Regulations further provides that prisoners’ food shall be in accordance with the diet scales approved by the Ministry of Health.36 Bearing in mind the principles above, the Commission observed that in Sungai Udang Prison, the portions of the meals supplied were inadequate and appeared to lack nutrition. Further, the food was served in trays that had not been cleaned properly, short of being labelled filthy. Similarly, the portions of food provided in Johor Bharu Utara District Police Headquarters were small and insufficient. Meanwhile, in Pekan Nenas Immigration Detention Centre, while there is no issue in respect of the portions of food, the Commission found issue in respect of the preparation of the meals where the Commission observed that not all kitchen staff were provided with aprons, gloves, and/or head caps, in violation of universal food safety standards. (e) Access to Drinking Water The Commission further observed that there was a limited supply of drinking water for prisoners in Sungai Udang Prison, as they were provided with drinking water only during meals. The Commission also observed that inmates in IPD Johor Bahru Utara used plastic bags to keep their supply of drinking water. In this regard, the Commission would like to underline the fact that the Nelson Mandela Rules clearly state that drinking water shall be made available to every prisoner whenever he needs it (Article 20(2)).37 35 See the report of the Commission’s public inquiry into the death in custody of S Hendry, 2006. 36 Regulation 16, Prison Regulations Malaysia. 37 https://www.unodc.org/pdf/criminal_justice/UN_Standard_Minimum_Rules_for_the_Treatment_of_Prisoners.pdf accessed on 23/2/16 68 SUHAKAM ANNUAL REPORT 2016 suhakam 2new.indd 68 3/23/17 5:54 PM