2. Penitentiary System 2.1. Introduction Against the background of the epidemic caused by the new coronavirus in Georgia, in 2020 the National Preventive Mechanism had to conduct monitoring visits under special conditions. In order to fully implement the mandate provided for in the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Public Defender has not suspended preventive visits to penitentiary establishments during 2020. Monitoring visits were carried out in N17, N3, N10, N11, N12, N8, N18 and N6 penitentiary establishments.19 In addition, in 2020, a special prevention group was visiting penitentiary establishments for a variety of purposes and talking to the inmates and employees on the spot.20 The assessments presented in this report are based on the analysis of the relevant national legislation and international legal acts as well as the voluminous information obtained by the Special Prevention Group. The working methodology of the Special Prevention Group includes obtaining information from various sources: individual and group interviews with prisoners, ex-prisoners, employees; Familiarity with the documentation produced in the institutions; studying the documents processed in the establishments; on-site monitoring and assessment of the physical environment; analysis of applications/complaints received by the Public Defender's Office; requesting information from various agencies; collecting official statistical data and reports/articles published by the agencies, etc. Prior to the monitoring visits, the Special Prevention Group adapted the working methodology to the existing challenges. The rules for conducting a safe monitoring visit in a pandemic were defined and members were instructed accordingly. Personal protective equipment were purchased and members were explained the rules for their use. The purpose of these measures was to minimize the risk of spreading a new coronavirus during a monitoring visit, and to protect employees and the persons being in the establishments.21 The relevant chapters of this report present in detail the situation in penitentiary establishments in 2020 in different directions. The epidemiological situation in the country has made healthcare a priority. The dates of monitoring visits to the penitentiary establishments are: N17 - April 30, 2020, May 1 and May 7, 2020; the part of the N8 penitentiary institution located in Ksani - June 26, 2020; N3 - July 12-13, 2020; N10 - September 3, 2020; N11 - November 26, 2020; N12 - November 26-27, 2020; N8 - December 3-4, 2020; N18 - December 3-4, 2020; N6 - December 17-18, 2020. 20 In 2020, members of the National Preventive Mechanism visited the former N9 establishment to obtain information on the transfer of prisoners to the N12 establishments (05.04.2020), to interview detainees at the N2 penitentiary establishment (06-07.07.2020, 26.09.2020 and 29.09.2020), to interview the convicts in N8 establishment (01-02.09.2020); within the framework of the memorandum signed with the non-governmental organizations "Human Rights Center" and "International Prison Reform", joint monitoring visits were carried out to the N8 establishment (04-07.08.2020); emergency visits were carried out to N8 and N15 establishments to monitor the voting process of prisoners (31.10.2020). 21 In the wake of the aggravation of the epidemiological situation in the country, the Public Defender took additional measures to minimize the risk and members of the special prevention group underwent PCR testing before entering the facilities. 19 22