CAT/OP/BEN/3 the conditions defined in the relevant articles of the Code of Criminal Procedure and encourage them to apply for parole and, as appropriate, release them. 4. Reintegration policy 96. The Subcommittee notes that the new Code of Criminal Procedure (art. 807) and Decree No. 73-293 on the administration of prisons (arts. 70–72), like the regulations of the Akpro-Missérété prison (art. 18), provide for “social rehabilitation” activities with a view to the reintegration of prisoners. 97. The Subcommittee is concerned that, in general, the reintegration activities (classes, training workshops) mentioned in its previous report had either ended or been significantly curtailed in the prisons it visited, with the exception of the Akpro-Missérété prison, where there were sewing and gardening activities. 14 The Subcommittee also observed that, at the Cotonou and Abomey prisons, opportunities for participation in activities — involving learning a trade, getting an education or producing handicrafts — were not systematically afforded to the prisoners. It noted the existence of metalwork and welding workshops in building E at the Cotonou prison. 98. The Subcommittee calls on the Beninese authorities to set aside a budget and the resources necessary for a variety of activities, including occupational training, learning and education, to be offered to all prisoners with a view to their reintegration into society. 5. Prison visits by the competent authorities and their effects 99. The Subcommittee notes that Decree No. 73-293 on the administration of prisons (arts. 79–81) and the new Code of Criminal Procedure (arts. 241 and 806) provide for inspections of places of deprivation of liberty by various judicial authorities, as well as the possibility of visits by the administrative authorities as described by the Subcommittee in its previous report.15 The Subcommittee notes that NGOs may visit places of deprivation of liberty, including prisons, provided that they obtain authorization. 100. In its discussions with the authorities, the Subcommittee was informed that some visits, including by the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice, had been carried out since 2008, the year of the Subcommittee’s previous visit. Interviews held by the Subcommittee with other sources confirmed the Minister of Justice’s visits of 26, 27 and 28 August 2015 to the Cotonou and Abomey prisons, as well as the Prosecutor General’s visits to the Abomey and Akpro-Missérété prisons. The Subcommittee has nonetheless not received from the authorities an account of the findings of those visits or the recommendations and decisions that were made. 101. The Subcommittee notes that it was unable to find traces of such visits in the registers, which prevented it from verifying how regularly and at what intervals they took place. The Subcommittee remains concerned about reports that inspections of places of deprivation of liberty by the authorities are not very common in Benin. It stresses the importance of such inspections to preventing ill-treatment and verifying the legality of detention. 102. The Subcommittee recommends that the State party, taking into account its Code of Criminal Procedure, ensure that the authorities regularly carry out prison visits, that the reports of such visits and information on the measures taken to improve the visits are shared, and that the necessary decisions to grant release are made in the event of illegal detention.16 14 15 16 16 CAT/OP/BEN/1, paras. 266–279. Ibid., paras. 35–50. Nelson Mandela Rules, rules 83 to 85. GE.18-16165