CAT/C/39/2 page 82 348. The creation of this Ouvidoria, which can already be considered a model, is undoubtedly the result of the significant attention that the Brazilin State has been according to the question of the control of police forces. 349. As regards the internal control of the Police Corregedorias, it is true that progress has been slower, but it exists: in the state of Ceará there is one General Corregedor and six corregedores, all appointed by the Governor of the state and not by the Public Security Secretary, and they are placed under the scrutiny of the Public prosecutor, which intervenes in all procedures that are initiated. 350. This additional competence of the Public Prosecutor ends up by facilitating the exercise of one of its tasks, the control of police forces, since it is the institution best placed to do this job, because of its distinct functional structure, not subordinated to any of the three Branches, which gives independence and authority to the control function. “(n) Allegations regarding cells of castigo should be investigated by the State party;” 351. The Brazilian Government has already devoted attention to investigating celas de castigo (punishment cells). There are two agencies to perform this function, whose activity inside prison facilities is essential to prevent the continued existence of such cells. 352. One of such agencies is the Ouvidoria of the National penitentiary System (DEPEN), which possess institutional electronic mail service (ouvidoria@depen.mj.gov.br) through which any citizen may channel his (her) communication. Usually, messages received deal with requests for information on the status of grace proceedings, or denunciations of ill treatment and requests for transfers. All messages are duly answered and filed. 353. During 2006, the Ouvidoria carried out thirty inspection visits in penal facilities in ten states, some of them jointly either with the National Council for Criminal and Penitentiary Policy or with the Special Secretariat for Human Rights. From the information collected it was possible to prepare reports sent to the National Council for Criminal and Penitentiary Policy and other agencies responsible for penal execution in their respective states. 354. The National Council for Criminal and Penitentiary Policy is competent to inspect and check penal facilities, and may propose measures for their improvement. It may also request the judiciary or the administrative authority the initiation of an inquiry or administrative procedure, in case of violation of the norms regarding penal execution. “(o) The State party should ensure that the police ouvidorias have sufficient human and financial resources so that they can carry out their tasks independently;” 355. One of the pillars of the action of the Federal Government in public security is the establishment of autonomous and independent ouvidorias, through SENASP-MJ, according to guidance from the National Forum of Police Ouvidores, as a way to ensure the existence of conditions of development for the activities of the ouvidores. Furthermore, the Federal Government, through the Special Secretariat for Human Rights, concluded a technical cooperation agreement with the European Union, with a view to strengthening the Police Ouvidorias.