MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR NGOS 139 added that in some countries, medical screening on arrival is carried out by a fully qualified nurse, who reports to a doctor. This latter approach could be considered as a more efficient use of available resources. It is also desirable that a leaflet or booklet be handed to prisoners on their arrival, informing them of the existence and operation of the health care service and reminding them of basic measures of hygiene.” CPT, GR 3, § 33 “While in custody, prisoners should be able to have access to a doctor at any time, irrespective of their detention regime (as regards more particularly access to a doctor for prisoners held in solitary confinement, see paragraph 56 of the CPT’s 2nd General Report: CPT/Inf (92) 3). The health care service should be so organised as to enable requests to consult a doctor to be met without undue delay. Prisoners should be able to approach the health care service on a confidential basis, for example, by means of a message in a sealed envelope. Further, prison officers should not seek to screen requests to consult a doctor.” CPT, GR 3, § 34 Comments The quality of care provided to persons deprived of their liberty must be equal to that available outside the penal system. If the visiting team does not include a health specialist, the team members must take care to request general information on the state of health of the persons deprived of their liberty: the most frequent illnesses, detection of transmissible and contagious diseases, deaths. They should also examine the system for gaining access to medical care. 5