special penitentiary establishment no. 5 for women, rehabilitation establishment no. 11 for juveniles and the juvenile wing in penitentiary establishment no. 8. Based on the outcomes of the inspections carried out in these establishments, on 28 June, the NGO, Human Rights Centre published a report – The Situation of Female and Juvenile Prisoners in Georgia. The report was developed with the financial support of the Bulgarian Development Aid within the project, Monitoring of the Situation of Female and Juvenile Prisoners in Georgia. Apart from the above-mentioned, in the reporting period, within the memoranda concluded with international organisations,13 the representatives of the NPM (Department) and NGOs carried out thematic monitoring in penitentiary establishments nos. 2, 3, 17 and 16. 1.7 WORK METHODOLOGY AND TRAINING OF THE NPM MEMBERS 1.7.1. CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL The Consultative Council aims at contributing to the effective functioning and transparency of the NPM. The council presents to the Public Defender its views about the following issues: a) the action plan to be implemented by the NPM; b) work methodology; c) subject-matter research; d) professional training of the NPM members; e) other strategic documents of the NPM; and f) other issues of significance in terms of the effective functioning of the NPM. The views of the Consultative Council are consultative in nature. Its invited members should facilitate the NPM to maintain communication with academia, donor organisations and other stakeholders. Apart from the representatives of the Public Defender’s Office, there are invited members that are: a) persons engaged in educational and academic activities in the field related to the NPM’s mandate; b) a member of an international organisation working in the fields of prevention of torture and criminal justice; c) a member of an international non-governmental organisation working in the fields of prevention of torture and criminal justice; and d) a member of a local non-governmental organisation working in the fields of prevention of torture and criminal justice.14 In 2018, two sessions of the NPM Consultative Council were held. The members of the Consultative Council were informed about the activities carried out and planned by the NPM. The members on their side expressed their views and recommendations regarding the activities of the NPM. 13 PRI, Rehabilitation Initiative for Vulnerable Groups, Human Rights Centre. See detailed information about the council at: http://www.ombudsman.ge/geo/preventsiis-erovnulimekanizmis-sakonsultatsio-sabcho (accessed 10.06.19). 14 12