MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR NGOS 91 Comments As seen in part 1, the inspection systems, in so far as they are led by independent and honest people, provide an effective means for preventing ill-treatment and monitoring the conditions of detention. The internal inspection system should be complemented by external inspection mechanisms. Reference points ■ Is there an independent inspection mechanism? ■ What is its composition? ■ How frequent are the inspections? ■ Do persons deprived of their liberty have access to this body? ■ Can it receive and examine complaints? 2