MONITORING PLACES OF DETENTION : A PRACTICAL GUIDE 116 Comments 1 The visiting team should examine whether use of force is the exceptional response or the norm. They should consider whether the principles of necessity and proportionality are observed. They should look at whether instructions and restrictions on use of force are included in prison regulations and accessible to detainees and what training staff receive in control and restraint techniques that would permit them to maintain control without injuring themselves or the detainees. As a general principle, staff in direct contact with detainees should not carry firearms. If they carry arms such as truncheons, it should not be done in an ostentatious or provocative manner. Any incidents involving the use of force or firearms should be reported in writing to the director, noted down in the official register and investigated. Reference points ■ Do the staff carry any weapons? ■ Which staff are allowed to carry firearms, according to local regulations? ■ How frequent are incidents involving use of force (according to detainees, the director, the registers, other sources?) ■ Is there any evidence that force is used disproportionately in relation to any minority groups?