17 Selected topics from 2015 The use of coercive measures during deprivation of liberty All of the sectors that were visited in 2015 had the right to use coercive measures. However, the use of such measures is subject to strict conditions. In the course of 2015, the NPM identified several challenges found across sectors, and some that were specific to particular types of institutions. The most commonly used coercive measures were security cells and restraint beds in prisons, handcuffs (during arrest and until detention) in police custody facilities; security cells, handcuffs and the restraining system known as BodyCuff at the police immigration detention centre at Trandum, and restraint beds and injections of short-acting medication in mental health care institutions. " Coercive measures are never to be used as treatment or punishment " Strict conditions According to human rights standards, encroachments on personal integrity must comply with legality, necessity and proportionality requirements. Coercive measures can be used to prevent an acute and serious situation that endangers the life and health of the person subject to coercive measures or persons nearby. In some cases, it is also possible to use coercive measures to prevent significant material damage. Coercive measures are never to be used as treatment or punishment. The strict conditions reflect that coercive measures represent a major encroachment on an individual’s personal integrity. From a preventive perspective, the use of coercive measures entails a clear risk of violating the prohibition against torture and ill-treatment. The NPM therefore always investigates what coercive measures are available at each place of detention, what the practice is for their use, for how long and how often are they used, how their use is documented, the possibility to file complaints, and how those deprived of their liberty feel about being subjected to coercive measures. " From a preventive perspective, the use of coercive measures entails a clear risk of violating the prohibition against torture and ill-treatment " Security cells Security cells are used both in prisons and at the immigration detention centre at Trandum. The security cells are usually the same size as a police custody cell, but are slightly smaller at Trandum. Apart from a squat toilet in the floor and a mattress, the security cells have no furniture etc. Food and drinks are often inserted through a hatch by the floor. The Parliamentary Ombudsman expressed concern about, among