15 49(19). Mr. Caesar did not receive timely treatment with respect to his hemorrhoid condition. In 1992 a doctor recommended that he undergo surgery for his hemorrhoids. The procedure was postponed at least twice and, during the delay, his condition worsened. The surgery finally took place at the end of January, 1997. At the present time he continues to suffer and bleed heavily because of this condition. 49(20). On December 27, 1997 Mr. Caesar was admitted to a hospital, where he stayed for one day, and received a diagnosis of left-sided ureteric colic, which is a condition causing acute and severe pain in the lower abdomen. 49(21). In 1998 a doctor advised Mr. Caesar that the cyst on his testicles required surgery. However, he still has not received that operation. 49(22). Mr. Caesar’s detention conditions are indicative of the general conditions in Trinidad and Tobago’s prison system. Regarding Mr. Caesar's Corporal Punishment 49(23). Between April and June of 1996, Mr. Caesar was taken to the Carrera Convict Prison. 49(24). Prisoners who are sentenced to corporal punishment are usually held beforehand in the Carrera Convict Prison, with the purpose of executing the sentence. Corporal punishment is carried out in this prison only at specified times during the year. 49(25). Mr. Caesar was aware of the times designated for corporal punishment, and his emotional state deteriorated as these times approached. Between November of 1996 and the day the flogging was inflicted, Mr. Caesar was taken on three or four separate occasions to another cell with other prisoners where they were kept overnight. Each morning the other prisoners were taken out, one by one, for their corporal punishment to be carried out. On each occasion, Mr. Caesar observed that the prisoners returned severely injured, but he was not flogged and rather was returned to his cell without any explanation. 49(26). On February 5, 1998, Mr. Caesar was subjected to 15 strokes of the “cat-o-nine tails”, in accordance with his sentence. 49(27). For the administration of the flogging, Mr. Caesar was required to “lie spreadeagled and naked” and was strapped to a metal contraption, known in prison as the “Merry Sandy”. His hands and feet were tied tightly to the metal structure and his head was covered with a sheet. Once strapped to the iron frame with his back exposed and his clothing removed, Mr. Caesar was then flogged with the “cat-o-nine tails”. 49(28). The punishment was carried out despite his physical condition (supra para. 49(18)). There were at least six persons present in the room where the punishment was carried out, including the Supervisor of Prisons and the prison medic. Before the flogging, the doctor examined Mr. Caesar’s blood pressure and other vital signs, and then gave his consent to continue.