The minimum living space for each prisoner in shared cells is 4 m², and 6 m² for individual cells. This rule was put into place mainly for areas dedicated to individuals condemned to closed regimes. The prison service recognises that it has not been able to follow this rule due to overpopulation in facilities. In 2018, while visiting the Bacau prison quarters, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) calculated 1.5–2 m² of living space per prisoner in shared cells.¹
In 2018, the Association for the Defence of Human Rights in Romania – the Helsinki Committee (APADOR-CH) visited Miercurea Ciuc prison. In closed regimes, it saw an average space of 2.62 m² per prisoner. Some cells had 1.65 m² per person.²

The NPM reported that in pre-trial detention centres, cells lacked both natural light and artificial lighting.¹

The only mention of smoking in the prison regulations relates to individuals placed in disciplinary confinement. They are exclusively allowed to smoke during recreational walks.¹

Showers are often shared and rarely equipped with walls tall enough to offer prisoners any privacy. Some of the cells for women or persons in closed regimes are only equipped with one shower within the sanitary block.

In Mărgineni prison, a dormitory built for 12 beds contains 30, and only has one toilet. Inmates complain of the room’s dirtiness and dampness, as well as the presence of cockroaches and bedbugs.[^avoc] [^avoc]: People’s Advocate, “Activity Report 2021” (in Romanian).

Since 2016, the administration has been committed to providing all prisoners with a total of six bottles of shampoo, four toothbrushes, 12 tubes of toothpaste and 24 toilet paper rolls each year. For female prisoners, 12 packs of feminine hygiene products are also provided.¹
In 2018, female prisoners in the Galati remand centre met with the CPT and complained about the lack of feminine hygiene products.²

The daily cost of meals for most condemned prisoners is 6 Romanian lei per person.
In 2018, the prison service increased its daily budget after a visit from the CPT:

• from 4.01 to 6.00 Romanian lei per day for convicted prisoners.
• from 5.83 to 7.75 Romanian lei per day for minors.
• from 4.73 to 6.99 Romanian lei per day for the sick and pregnant.¹

The permission to have a refrigerator varies from facility to facility.
In 2019, APADOR-CH noted that Târgu Jiu prison had refrigerators in shared cells.
In the past, refrigerators could be found in the hallways of Galati high-security prison. The administration claimed they were used to traffic drugs and consequently removed them. It stated that it is not legally obligated to replace them.
Many prisoners, like the ones in Craiova prison, have complained about not being able to have refrigerators in their cells.¹ Refrigerators are always present in rooms reserved for conjugal visits.

Prisoners are allowed to receive 10 kilograms of food per parcel, 6 additional kilograms of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as 20 litres of water and non-alcoholic beverages. Foods that require cooking are forbidden.

Both Târgu Jiu and Miercurea Ciuc prisons have a vegetable garden and sometimes livestock that they can use to stock up on dairy products. Târgu Jiu facility has more than 18 hectares of farming land.
Jilava prison has its own garden. It covers several hectares and enables self-sufficiency in vegetable consumption.