A/HRC/15/47 development is nevertheless a step in the right direction. The draft Minimum Design Standards for Prison Construction, jointly developed by OHCHR, the International Committee of the Red Cross, CCJAP, and GDP were improved as a result of several discussions in the first half of 2010, and are to be adopted as an official document of the Ministry of Interior to guide its construction and renovation of prisons. 56. A number of initiatives were explored to address other recurrent concerns, such as excessive detention. During visits to Correctional Centre No. 3 in 2009, several hundred prisoners whose appeal was pending, in some cases for up to a decade, were identified. The Office has been discussing with GDP and the Court of Appeal ways to address the backlog of prisoners’ cases. An estimated 1,000 prisoners have an appeal pending countrywide but the exact figure is not known. At the request of GDP, the Office drafted guidelines on how prisons could facilitate the processing of cases, through the production of a comprehensive list of prisoners awaiting appeal. This work has highlighted the need for improved communication and cooperation between the prisons and the courts in general. Documents which are essential for the effective implementation of pre-trial detention orders and prison sentences need to be properly requested, prepared, submitted and managed in a timely manner by the courts and the prison authorities. Only a coordinated strategy of all actors can help to reduce excessive detention. OHCHR has expressed its willingness to assist in the organization of a high-level meeting of all relevant stakeholders to table the issue and discuss collaborative solutions. 57. Dialogue has also continued with GDP on ways to prevent ill treatment in prison, be it in the form of physical abuse, lack of access to fresh air, or unlawful disciplinary actions. In 2010, initial changes were introduced by the authorities in the organization of the prisoners’ committees, the bodies originally set up to assist the authorities in the management of prisons, but which have been implicated in the abuse and ill-treatment of prisoners. An internal inspection mechanism has been strengthened with assistance from CCJAP and has carried out a first series of visits. OHCHR has been exploring with GDP the need to clarify disciplinary rules and diversify the options available to the authorities. It hopes to facilitate a meeting of prison staff to map the recurrent disciplinary offences occurring in prisons and the sanctions currently applied by the authorities, in order to develop and agree on a scale of humane and lawful sanctions, proportionate to the offences, complying with Cambodia human rights obligations and reflecting the willingness of GDP to continue progressing towards dynamic security management for the secure operation of its prisons. 58. Following needs assessment in terms of water and sanitation in all prisons visited, OHCHR continued to support GDP in improving facilities in selected prisons. Water supply support has sought to deliver the most sustainable solutions for prisons. These have ranged from installing rainwater harvesting systems, drilling additional wells or helping connect the prison to the mains water supply, to improving existing water connections or providing water filters to improve the quality of drinking water. The programme has also looked at wider issues of sanitation: latrine windows were modified in CC3 to improve light and ventilation; material was provided to several prisons for the construction of metal clothes dryers, so that prisoners can dry their uniforms outside; toiletries were provided to prisoners during monitoring visits; options are being explored regarding treatment of waste water and sewage or setting up of biogas units. 59. OHCHR has continued working collaboratively with GDP and the Ministry of Interior, as well as its other partners among development agencies and non-governmental organizations, to support successful prison reform. Development work was carried out to encourage relevant actors to initiate or develop work in prisons, in areas as varied as education, prison farming, or prisoners’ legal awareness. 14