Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 The NPM particularly commended the practice which enables the applicants to carry out work (for example, taking part in painting) for which financial compensation is also awarded (however, only a small amount), as well as activities in various fields. The expectation was expressed that the Asylum Centre would continue with such practices in the future. It was proposed that options should be examined for the Asylum Centre to provide work for even more applicants. In its response to this recommendation, the Ministry of the Interior explained that applicants in the Asylum Centre carry out those jobs for which the need arises. In the Asylum Centre, there is therefore a constant need to clean various rooms and the centre’s surroundings, making up beds, painting, etc. Occasionally this also included mowing the lawn, killing weeds, removing snow, as well as assisting in everyday communication between officials and other applicants, etc. In 2011, tasks of this kind were carried out by 41 applicants. It was stressed that applicants are informed about the opportunity to carry out maintenance work and that a suitable job is found for every applicant who expresses an interest in doing so. It was also proposed that the deficiencies discovered in accommodation areas in the reception centre and damage to the equipment and in the building (such as for example, worn-out mattresses, placing curtains in the bathrooms, a damaged shower in the sanitary annexe of the room where even disabled persons may be accommodated, and painting) should be regularly resolved. Since this is a case of minor maintenance work, the Asylum Centre should also consider whether other applicants could perform these jobs. The Ministry of the Interior had explained that the highlighted irregularities regarding the reception centre had already been remedied. As a matter of fact, in practice, the NPM’s recommendations had been carried out for a longer period of time, and the painting of accommodation areas was regularly carried out by maintenance work performed by the interested applicants. Although the painting of rooms is regularly provided for with maintenance jobs, some applicants accommodated in the Centre still damage the walls on purpose. The most recent painting was carried out in June 2012. In regard to damaged computers, it was also proposed to have them removed from the room since they pose a risk that any of the applicants (particularly children) may injure themselves by electric shock. The Ministry of the Interior explained that the regular maintenance of computers is provided for. However, it was established that applicants intentionally damage computers, take parts from them, and there is a suspicion that they sell them. That is why a decision was made that, at least for some time, broken computers should not be replaced with new ones and were not to be repaired since, in the Ministry’s opinion, their attitude towards these items was inappropriate. The damaged computers were removed from the computer room in accordance with the NPM’s recommendation, although in the Ministry’s opinion, there was no risk of having children hurt by electric shock since children are not allowed to enter the section of the Centre where the computer room is located. National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 109