npm annual report 2016 / observations and recommendations • Meetings between prisoners and their attorneys were held in a room with CCTV monitory (Oulu, Mikkeli). the video was also recorded (Mikkeli). Comment: The Deputy-Ombudsman pointed out that these meetings should in principle be unsupervised. This means that the visiting room cannot have CCTV monitoring and the prisoner and attorney should not be separated by a plexiglass. The room should also be such that conversations cannot be overheard by others (Oulu). The recording camera is forbidden by law under all circumstances (Mikkeli). Mikkeli Prison reported that they would equip the camera with curtains in order that the attorney at law could close the camera. • A remand prisoner had been given access to the pre-trial investigation documents only for one night after the unit had been closed. The documents had been taken away in the morning before the unit was opened. (Mikkeli) Comment: The Deputy-Ombudsman emphasised that remand prisoners should be allowed to prepare for their trials and have access to pre-trial investigation documents. The prison reported that in the future all material required for a trial will be given to prisoners for the period they request, including daytime. • A prison did not issue administrative decisions on the possession of property, and prisoners were not given appeal instructions. It appeared that the prison had never issued any decisions on denying the possession of property as required by law. The prison director had given guidelines on the possession of property, which were used as a basis for decisions on access to property. One of the regional centres of the Criminal Sanctions Agency had nonetheless approved the practice in its response to a complaint. (Mikkeli) The Deputy-Ombudsman pointed out that the director does not have the power to issue such guidelines, and decisions on denying the possession of property cannot be based on guidance given by the director. Comment: According to the prison, it has begun issuing decisions on matters concerning the possession of property and providing instructions on claims for revised decisions. 35