MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR NGOS I - PREPARING 53 THE VISIT For a visit to take place in the best possible conditions it must be prepared beforehand. The NGO should set aside the necessary time in order to: Summarise the information available about the place visited: ■ a summary of information obtained during earlier visits or from other sources; ■ the authorities directly responsible and the higher authorities; ■ the number and the status of the inmates; ■ any known or alleged problems. Define the specific objectives of the visit: ■ a general evaluation of the conditions of detention; ■ a follow-up visit to check up on specific aspects of detention; ■ a follow-up of individual cases; ■ other. Organise the work of the visiting team: ■ prepare a check-list of the detention conditions as a means of guaranteeing standardised collection of information; (see appendix 1)