3. Ministry of Internal Affairs 3.1. Monitoring methodology This is a 2020 report on the monitoring of temporary placement isolators, police facilities and the Center for Temporary Placement of the Migration Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 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 extraordinary conditions. Prior to the monitoring visits, the Special Preventive 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 was purchased and members were explained the rules of their use. The purpose of these measures is to minimize the risk of new coronavirus spreading during the monitoring visit, and to protect staff and other persons present in the establishments.245 The assessments presented in this report are based on an analysis of the relevant national legislation and international legal acts as well as voluminous information obtained by the special preventive group. The working methodology of the special preventive group assumes obtaining information from different sources: interviews with detainees,246 isolator staff247, doctors248 and lawyers249; analysis of information extracted through a pre-designed questionnaire using a statistical program (SPSS);250 statistical information provided by the Administration and Temporary Detention Isolator of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and written and verbal communication with the Public Defender's Office; online questionnaire completed by lawyers;251 information provided by non-governmental organizations; data available in the Office of the Public Defender; information officially published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs; documents produced in the facilities, including medical information. The monitoring also included monitoring of the situation and the working process in the police facilities and temporary detention isolators. During 2020, the Special Preventive Group conducted monitoring visits to 62 police units and departments, as well as to 27 temporary detention isolators. The monitoring visit was carried out in 9 regions, namely Kakheti; Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti; Kvemo Kartli; Shida Kartli; 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 preventive group underwent PCR testing before entering the facilities. 246 Interviews were conducted with 58 detainees. 247 Interviews were conducted with 26 staff members of the Temporary Detention Isolator. 248 Interviews were conducted with 16 doctors employed in the temporary placement isolator 249 Interviews were conducted with 5 focus groups of lawyers (Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Samegrelo, Guria and Adjara). 250 463 questionnaires were processed. 251 The Office of the Public Defender had fruitful communication with the Georgian Bar Association. In particular, with the technical assistance of the Georgian Bar Association, a special online survey questionnaire was sent to the Bar Association members to complete. The Public Defender of Georgia thanks the Georgian Bar Association for its cooperation. 245 81