Part II Preventing torture: NHRIs in action | Section III Acting as a control mechanism 2.1.4. Interviewing detainees The most important part of any visit is the time spent talking in private with detainees and hearing directly about their treatment and their experience of the conditions in detention. The interview process is a delicate exercise which aims to establish a relationship of trust between the interviewer and the detainee (see chapter 5 for more information on preparing for and conducting interviews). The visiting team, and not the authorities, must select the detainees who will be interviewed. Ideally, in order to have a representative sample of detainees in the centre, a significant number of interviews should be conducted (for example, ten per cent of all detainees). The visiting team may decide to select a random sample of detainees based on the register (for example, every tenth person listed). Alternatively, the team might decide to select a representative sample of detainees based on previous information or a specific situation (for example, recently-arrived detainees or detainees held under disciplinary sanctions). A combination of both random and critical selection helps ensure that an appropriate cross-section of detainees are interviewed and can contribute information to the preventive monitoring process. The visiting team should make sure that they do not speak only with those detainees who seek to make contact with them. Ensuring the confidentiality of the interview is essential. The interview should be held out of hearing, and preferably out of sight, of staff and other detainees. The choice of location for the interview is also crucial, both for confidentiality and to build trust. Any location that would equate the visitor with detention centre staff, such as administrative offices, should be avoided. Conducting individual interviews can be a time-consuming process. In order to optimize the time available to the visiting team, it may be useful to hold a combination of individual interviews and group discussions with detainees. Group discussions enable the visiting team to have contact with more detainees and are useful to hear about common concerns, get a sense of the mood or culture within the place and identify individual detainees to interview in private. However, as there is no confidentiality, group interviews exclude the possibility of discussing more sensitive issues. It is important to ensure that there is no disclosure during group discussions of any information that may pose a risk of harm to an individual. 2.1.5. Discussions with staff In addition to talking with the person in charge of the facility, it is also important for the visiting team to speak with different members of staff. Although it might be difficult to carry out interviews in private, in particular with security staff, the visiting delegation should try to talk with a representative selection of staff. Other staff, members, such as medical doctors and social workers, should also be interviewed. Staff members can all contribute very important information. They can raise issues for further investigation, as well as contribute their own suggestions or opinions about problems within the place. Talking with staff is also important in order to cross-check information or allegations received from other sources. Finally, any opportunity during the visit to engage in conversation with staff and detainees, including informal talks, should be taken. 2.1.6. Final talk with the person in charge It is important to formally end the visit with a talk with the person in charge of the facility. This should be arranged beforehand and the visiting team should set aside some time to debrief and share their findings prior to this meeting. The aim of the final talk is to provide a summary of facts found and specific issues identified. Urgent cases should be raised immediately, although it may be wise to address very serious Chapter 8: Monitoring places of detention | 89