10 The physical conditions of sector 11 of the Zone 18 Men’s Preventive Detention Center were examined and it was found that the size of the cells was approximately 3 to 4 by 4 to 5 meters. The yard measures between 4 and 5 square meters. There is insufficient ventilation, so that it is not possible to breathe fresh air in the cells; there is only one small window measuring 30 square centimeters in the lower part of the door. There is no natural light in the cells. Mr. Raxcacó Reyes is imprisoned in one of these cells. The daily routine of those condemned to death and imprisoned in sector 11 of this prison center was also examined. They live in conditions of total seclusion; they have no adequate facilities for working and they are not allowed to exercise in the open air; besides, they are never allowed outdoors. A normal day in their lives consists in having breakfast, lunch and supper, watching television, listening to music or making handicrafts (those who have materials provided by their families), and sleeping. Most of the requests for permission to be allowed to study and work, or to take part in a religious service are refused. The only work activities are the handicrafts produced by the prisoner who have the necessary materials. Any money obtained from their sale is only sufficient to buy more materials; therefore, this activity is more of an occupational therapy than a way of earning a living. With regard to alimentation, it was found that the food is not healthy and there are no special diets for prisoners with diabetes or hypertension, or with ulcers or gastritis, such as Mr. Raxcacó Reyes. Medical equipment is almost inexistent and there is a acute lack of trained personnel in this field; there is only one nurse in each prison center. Prisoners do not receive adequate medical care and they have received no psychological care throughout their time in prison. Prisoners may receive visitors once a week, for two hours. The visits take place through a wire screen which prevents physical contact between the prisoners and their visitors. There is no specific time for conjugal visits and the rooms allocated to this are few and inadequate. At times, the guards watch the prisoners and their wives having sexual relations; this causes considerable anger. The prisoners condemned to death live under the constant threat that, at any moment, they can be taken away and put to death by lethal injection. This terrifies and depresses them; they cannot sleep; they have nightmares and they even begin to consider the possibility of committing suicide. They suffer from psychosomatic illnesses resulting from their situation, which affects their mental health. The individual interviews revealed that those condemned to death unconsciously develop defense mechanisms to combat anxiety, and disturbing information; thus, for example, Mr. Raxcacó Reyes told her: “I don’t want to think about that; I prefer to think that I have been sentenced to a certain number of years of imprisonment; when they tell me that I only have a few days left, I will go mad.” With regard to the psychological damage to Mr. Raxcacó Reyes and his mental state, the expert witness stated that the total seclusion has caused “intense psychological distress”; he feels defenseless in the face of any event; he remains in a constant state of alert, fearful, restless; he has difficulty in sleeping, breathing and concentrating. The constant denial of opportunities to study or work makes him feel discriminated against, sad and hopeless. The visiting restrictions are the element he finds most annoying and distressing. The lack of the necessary medical care