You should have access to natural light in your cell. This means that there should be windows that allow enough natural light in. There must also be sufficient artificial light for the dark times of the day or seasons when the hours of natural light are short.
There is enough light in your cell if you can read without damaging your eyesight.
Windows
All cells should have windows to let natural light in. Windows should not be covered with bars, nets or other installations in a manner which practically blocks out natural light. If such installations are on the windows of your cell for security reasons, the prison administration must assess whether your situation requires your placement in such a cell.
What human rights violation may there be?
Prohibition against inhumane or degrading treatment
Insufficient light in your cell, combined with other negative conditions may lead to a violation of your right not to be treated in an inhumane or degrading way. However, the effect that such a situation has on your physical or mental condition must reach a certain minimum level of severity. Minor, short-term deviations from these rules will probably not violate your rights.
example If a light bulb in your cell burns out and it is changed after a couple of hours, it will not violate your rights. However, if the damaged light bulb of the only lamp in your cell is only changed after a couple of months, it probably will violate your rights.
Read more about how to evaluate whether your rights have been violated.
How to complain
If you believe that your rights have been violated, you might complain to the prison administration, to the director of Directorate General “Execution of Punishments” or to the prosecutor. You might also submit a request for the termination of the violation or a claim for compensation of the damages suffered to the administrative court.
Read more about how to complain.