5. Physical and mental well-being of prisoners The general requirements to ensure adequate ventilation, sleeping space, access to natural and artificial light, bearing in mind climatic conditions, and access to fresh air are applicable to all prisoners, and aim to ensure that their living conditions do not adversely impact their well-being. Similarly, the SMRs require adequate access to toilet facilities as well as undisrupted access to water for hygiene and sanitation purposes. Prisoners with special needs must be catered to so as to enhance their access to prison services equitably. Food provided for prisoners’ meals must be of nutritional value and well-prepared, while drinking water must be made available at all times. This is followed by the requirement to allow at least one hour of exercise time for all prisoners, as well as the provision of sporting and recreational equipment for young and able prisoners. This is followed by the SMRs on health care systems in prison, ensuring that the physical and mental well-being of inmates are not ignored. The SMRs state that young children should be allowed to remain with their mothers until a certain age, and that all necessary arrangements for the development and health of the child must be facilitated by the prison. The best interests of the child must be borne in mind when making the decision to separate a mother and child, thereby reiterating the need to protect the mental well-being of both. The obligations of health-care professionals include inspecting the institutions and the preparation of food and conditions of the ward to ensure that the standards of hygiene and cleanliness are practiced at all times, as they directly contribute to the physical and mental well-being of prisoners. 6. Equal access to medical attention The primary principle on access to medical attention requires that the provision of healthcare for prisoners mirrors the standards of healthcare available in the community, without discrimination. Prison healthcare is to be maintained by the general public health administration to ensure prisoners undergoing medical treatment outside prison have ready access to treatment during their sentence, paying particular attention to the provision of psychological and psychiatric attention. This requires the prison to have an interdisciplinary team of medical personnel as part of the in-house healthcare service. Prenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women must be arranged and children should be born outside the prison. Up to date and confidential medical files must be maintained on each individual, which must be received by the respective health care facility to which a prisoner is transferred. Transfers for urgent medical attention and emergencies should be executed in a timely manner. Importantly, the SMRs declare clinical decisions can only be taken by respective healthcare professionals, and may not be overruled by members of the prison staff. 21