Prisoner number 38, as Radovan Karadzic will be known while awaiting trial, will have access to computers and office space to prepare his defense and a “spiritual room” to gird his soul.

Mr. Karadzic exchanged his undercover life as a “quantum energy” healer yesterday for a cell measuring 16 ft. by 10 ft.

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia boasts that the cell block for alleged war criminals in Scheveningen jail meets the “highest international human rights standards for the treatment of detainees.”

Indeed, once the doors to cells are opened early each morning, inmates are allowed to wander their respective floors freely, chatting with other prisoners, or taking part in art and language classes.

They can challenge each other to games of table football, as well as see family and friends. Prisoners also spend one hour outdoors a day, and have a gym with a basketball court. For Mr. Karadzic, who developed a keen interest in alternative therapies during his life as “Dr. Dragan Dabic,” the cell block’s spiritual room may become a favorite.

As Dr. Dabic he liked to strum the traditional Serb instrument, the gusla, at his bar, the Madhouse, in the Belgrade suburb that became his hideout.

As Mr. Karadzic, he will have the opportunity to try his hand on the spiritual room’s acoustic guitars, or on the electronic keyboard.

Most of his time will be spent preparing his case, however.

Even so, as early evening descends in the Hague, he will be ushered back to his cell, which has a private shower and lavatory. He will be able to read newspapers or watch satellite television.

But the door will remain locked.