MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE 113 The role of the medical doctor in the use of coercive means is particularly sensitive. The SMR and other rules mention that the doctor can give his advice on certain measures on medical grounds. As made explicit by the comments of the CPT, in case of use of restraints the detainee has the right to be examined immediately by a doctor. This should under no circumstances be interpreted as asking the medical doctor to attest ’fitness for punishment’. Such a role for a medical doctor is in fact explicitly prohibited by international standards and is contradictory to a doctor’s professional ethics (see also the section: Medical Services). It will normally be incompatible with the role of the visiting team in ensuring respect for human dignity in places of detention, that they should conduct interviews while prisoners are in restraint. Reference points ■ In what cases is the use of means of constraint authorised? ■ How frequently is it used? ■ Are all the cases recorded in a register? ■ Do the persons so treated have access to a doctor? ■ For how long are the means of constraint imposed? ■ Is there any evidence that means of constraint are being disproportionately used in the case of minority groups? 1