Protection of Healthcare in Penitentiary System and Torture Prevention Mechanisms MONITORING OBJECTIVE AND METHODOLOGY The monitoring aims at examination and assessment of implementation of international standards of prevention of torture and inhuman, degrading treatment in relation to the healthcare protection in the Georgian penitentiary system within the framework of The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) and issue of relevant recommendations. Multi-profile analysis was used for the study of implementation of prisoners’ healthcare rights with examining the following priority issues: 1. Organizational aspects of healthcare protection of the penitentiary system of Georgia 2. Access to a doctor 3. Equivalent and adequate medical service 4. Patient consent and confidentiality 5. Humanitarian approach (special categories) 6. Preventive work, torture and fight against it 7. Medical personal: professional independence and competence “General questionnaire of medical monitoring” developed by the Georgian Public Defender’s Office, as well as Guidelines for monitors: Medical Services in Prisons, elaborated by the center Empathy were used as tools of the investigation; medical/psychological interviews and primary consultations were held with prisoners in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol principles, medical cards of each prisoner were studied. Statistical reports and information, including those about deceased persons, provided by the Medical Department of the Ministry of Corrections, Probation and Legal Aid of Georgia, as well as forensic conclusions of the Samkharauli Medical Forensics National Bureau, national legislative acts were used for the analysis. The above methodology is based on international mandatory and recommendation standards and monitoring methodology, in particular: www.ombudsman.ge NPM Report