MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR NGOS 63 The length of the group talks should be fixed beforehand. It is a good idea to begin the discussion with an open question. The statements of those present can thus indicate what they see as the main problems (or those they dare to mention). In a second phase, the talk should be more guided, with the aim of obtaining information about the main points concerning detention. Where contradictory or questionable information is obtained, it can be double-checked during private talks and by consulting other sources. 5.2. Talks in private A talk in private is above all a meeting with a person who is living in an abnormal situation (that is, outside the norm of external society), that of the deprivation of liberty. The person has a singular life story which cannot be reduced to the reasons why he or she is detained. This obvious fact is often overlooked in the generalising and hence simplistic attitude of the officials in charge, and sometimes of external players as well. The choice of location for the talk is crucial, as it will influence the attitude of the person deprived of liberty. This talk must necessarily be held out of hearing of the officials, but it is not always possible to hold it out of their sight. Any location which would be likely to equate the visitor with the staff in the eyes of the detainee, for instance the administrative offices, should be avoided. The talks can be held in the living quarters of the persons deprived of their freedom—cell, dormitory, visiting room, courtyard, library, etc. Any restrictions imposed by the staff for security reasons, and above all the opinion of the person with whom the talk is to be held, must of course also be taken into account. In the vast majority of cases, the visitors will have to choose a limited number of persons with whom they wish to talk. Those selected should be as representative as possible of the different categories of detainees at the site. The visitors should take care not to talk just to those individuals who seek contact with them.