Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 A special initiative in regard to the implementation of disciplinary procedure for all disciplinary offences was submitted in the case of Celje Prison and Juvenile Prison, since the implementation of such procedure leaves room for contradictory issues and also provides the prisoner with the possibility to defend himself/herself, explain his/her position and enforce all legal remedies. It was similarly and explicitly proposed in the case of Ljubljana Prison that the procedure should be also implemented in cases of disciplinary offences made by convicted persons. Particular attention was drawn to the consistent respect of provisions regarding special accommodation of the convicted person – particularly in regard to a monthly verification of reasons and written instruction to convicted persons about the appeal option (Maribor Prison) concerning accommodation in a stricter regime. In the case of Dob pri Mirni Prison, a proposal was submitted to PARS actual guidelines for dealing with convicted persons accommodated in this way be developed, together with a general proposal about the tendency to shorten the time of such accommodation and immediate registration in a register concerning their transfer to a special room. Some of the proposals made referred to the improvement of material conditions in a room dedicated for their removal to a special room – in Maribor Prison it was proposed, for example, to check the bed railings and to secure the foam coating in a safer manner. The Director General of PARS then informed us that this had been taken care of and that the safety of both employees and prisoners during their stay in this room had been ensured. Especially after the visit of Ljubljana Prison, the expert under contract found out that issues in relation to health insurance of persons in compliance detention were still present, as well as in the case of those detainees without health insurance. This was not the first such finding as attention was drawn to these complications also after the visit of Koper Prison and then the Director General of PARS replied with an explanation that he was aware of problems regarding the access and implementation of rights to health care during detention which is why an instruction was issued to all institutions to cover the costs for health care out of the budget for material costs. He also asserted that consistent health care is provided for all prisoners irrespective of problems that arise. It is, however, a complex issue which does not depend only on this sector but mainly on the Ministry of Health. In the case of Celje Prison and Juvenile Prison, the expert under contract praised the cooperation between the Community Health Centre and the institution which was also noticed in terms of the support of staff and the provision of medical material and the improvement of premises. On the other hand, in the case of Koper Prison it was possible to identify some deficiencies which the Director General of PARS informed us of and that the institute was aware of; the fact that it would be easier if outpatient clinics would work during the morning which is why for some time they had reason to urge the Community Health Centre to change their schedule but this was not possible owing to the staffing capacity of the Koper Community Health Centre. A recommendation for improvements in this field was also given in the case of Dob pri Mirni Prison, specifically, that a register of appointments and conduct of medical examinations should be introduced since it was found in interviews with some convicted persons, that appointments for specialist examinations were not properly managed, and consequently there were delays and setbacks. The Director General of PARS, unfortunately, only replied with his viewpoint that the mentioned institution made appointments for a specialist examination exclusively based on doctor’s referrals and examinations were assessed by themselves and their urgency level was assigned and that they proceeded with every urgent examination immediately while the prescribed waiting times applied for the remaining examinations which were not under the control of the institution. 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 27