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records may also point to indicators of
desirable to always include medical
possible ill-treatment or violence and
professionals within NPM delegations,
other aspects that the handbook tackles
it is possible for anyone to recognise
in other sections.
at least some signs indicating the
deterioration of detainees’ physical and
The monitoring of solitary confinement
mental health, which can be observed at
cannot be done without interviewing
different degrees and times, depending
prisoners.
on
Interviews
may
reveal
critical information regarding the way
the
medical
examination
is
the
person.
This
handbook
summarizes some of these.
carried
out, material conditions, the regime to
One aspect to be monitored concerns
which detainees are subjected, whether
the actual possibility for the person in
they know how long their isolation
solitary confinement to participate in
measure
contacts
the decision-making process on the
they have with prison staff (and how
isolation measure. The NPM should
the prison staff treats them), family
verify whether the person detained in
members and/or their lawyer, whether
solitary confinement has been informed
they know of a complaint mechanism
about the outcome of the decision and
and how it works, whether they had the
the possibility to appeal against it in
possibility to defend themselves in the
writing, and whether in practice s/he
disciplinary hearing, whether they have
can appeal against it. The handbook
suffered any abuse or ill-treatment or
also points out the possible procedural
if they know whether other isolated
obstacles to the exercise of their rights
detainees have suffered them, how they
and that the NPMs can monitor.
will
last,
which
feel, and whether they think solitary
confinement is affecting their mental
Poor material conditions in isolation
and physical health.
is also a very common problem that
must be closely monitored.
The most
Isolation has particularly harmful effects
frequently monitored aspects by NPMs,
on those who are subjected to it. While
and those which should be kept in