9 December 2015: Visit to the Women’s Wing at the Central Prison ___________________________________________________________ B. VISITS TO CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED The elderly and people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable groups of people with specialised needs, yet the places the welcome these people are rarely subject to thorough inspections and visits by independent bodies. The issues involving these two groups living in Care Homes are monitored both by the NPM and the Independent Mechanism for the Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities. In 2015, a framework of cooperation was established between these two Mechanisms was with a view to addressing, to the extent possible and in a more comprehensive and specialised manner, the issues arising in Care Homes for the elderly and the disabled. Within this framework, three joint visits were conducted to Care Homes for the Elderly and the Disabled. During their visits, the Officers of these two Mechanisms held meetings with the staff of the Care Homes and/or with representatives of Social Welfare Services, inspected relevant documents and individual files and interviewed in private the majority of the people living in these institutions. In addition to the inspection of material conditions, visits include the inspection of the implementation of previous remarks and recommendations made by the NPM on two significantly important issues. The first is the hospitality of people with mental disorders, as well as of people with disabilities in general living in Care Homes with older people. As noted in 2012, although the relevant legislation allows people with disabilities under the age of 18 to live in Care Homes, there is strong concern whether this practice is in line with the internationally-recognised rights of people with disabilities. In addition, the intermingling of these people with older people in such environment deprives them of the 7