12.2. The NPM’s relations with the national preventive mechanisms… The workshop called “Strengthening the follow-up to NPM recommendations” organised by the International Ombudsman Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark between November 7 and 9, 2018 wished to provide support for the national preventive mechanisms with the performance of the tasks related to the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. The participants exchanged their experience on how the effectiveness of the activities of the NPM can be maximised by refining and developing the recommendations, efficient follow-up, as well as encouraging the appropriate implementation of the recommendations. In the context of interactive working groups, the participants reviewed and analysed the individual elements of the recommendations following the visits paid by the NPM and the implementation thereof, and they discussed the possibilities for and the methods of developing these. Starting out from the visits as the fundamental element of the activities performed by the NPM, the participants analysed the criteria of good recommendations and reviewed how the reports and the recommendations may foster change. 12.2.3. Bilateral relations The NPM and the designated staff members of the Department met with the representatives of the Slovenian National Preventive Mechanism in Celje, Slovenia on May 24-25, 2018. The participants of the meeting paid a visit to the juvenile penitentiary institution, then they discussed the experience that they had gained there. The NPM and the designated staff members of the Department met with the representatives of the Slovenian National Preventive Mechanism in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary on November 13-14, 2018. The participants of the event paid a visit to the Zala County Remand Prison. The NPM presented the practices of conducting confidential interviews and assessing the cells, then the participants discussed what they had seen and they exchanged their experience on those detainees who have psychosocial disabilities. On December 12, 2018, the NPM met with the representatives of the Austrian National Preventive Mechanism at the Eisenstadt correctional institution. The participants of the meeting paid a visit to the local prison, then they discussed their experience on those detainees who have psychosocial disabilities. 12.3. International activities The head of department, as an independent member delegated by Hungary, took part in the plenary sessions of CPT on March 4-9, July 2-6 and November 5-9, 2018, as well as in the CPT’s visits to Georgia (September 8-22) and Russia (October 18-30). 135