MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR NGOS 96 without censorship as to substance but in proper form, to the central prison administration, the judicial authority or other proper authorities through approved channels. 2 4. Unless it is evidently frivolous or groundless, every request or complaint shall be promptly dealt with and replied to without undue delay.” SMR, Rule 36 Comments The persons deprived of their freedom must be clearly informed of the rules governing the place of detention and they must have recognised means to discuss or contest aspects of their life in detention. The presence or absence of complaints procedures is an important indicator of the level of respect accorded to the detainees, as regards both form and content. Several levels of complaint should be possible. The first concerns internal complaints, addressed directly to the director of the establishment. The detainee must, however, have the possibility of making a complaint, uncensored, to a higher instance, if he/she deems it necessary. Complaints or appeal systems differ depending on the level of the authority handling the complaint and its sphere of competence. This point can be examined in conjunction with the section on inspections, as the inspection bodies should have the possibility of receiving and examining complaints. Reference points ■ What appeal do persons deprived of their liberty have? ■ What is the nature of the appeal – administrative / judicial?