31 5.1.1. Composition of the visiting delegations Pursuant to Article 18.2 of the OPCAT, the experts of the NPM shall have the required capabilities and professional knowledge. In 2017, visits were conducted by delegations consisting of four to eight members, appointed by upon the recommendation of the heads of the visiting delegations. In addition to the professional skills of my colleagues, I also took into consideration the size and capacity of the selected place of detention, as well as the gender and age composition of the persons deprived of their liberty when selecting the members of the delegation. In addition to maintaining gender balance, I also tried to ensure multidisciplinarity and involve experts in the field of protecting national and ethnic minority rights when setting up the visiting delegations. To perform the tasks related to my general activities aimed at protecting fundamental rights, my Office employs mainly public servants with a law degree. If necessary, lawyers from other organizational units, possessing the professional knowledge required for conducting an effective visit to the place of detention concerned, also participated in the visits. In addition to lawyers, medical, psychological, educational, and dietitian experts also participated in the visits in 2017. The composition of the NPM’s visiting delegations in 2017 Number Visiting delegation 1. Location members Central Holding Facility of the MPHQoB 4 2. Márianosztra Strict and Medium Regime Prison 6 3. Budapest Remand Prison, Unit I 6 4. Platán Integrated Social Institution of Bács-Kiskun County 6 5. Psychiatric Ward of the Balassa János Hospital of Tolna County 6 6. Nagymágocs Castle Home of the Aranysziget Integrated Retirement Home of Csongrád County 8 7. Lock-up Facility of the Fejér County Police Headquarters 8. Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Remand Prison Altogether 6 6 6 on average external experts one psychiatrist one dietitian on psychiatrist one dietitian one psychiatrist one dietitian one psychiatrist one dietitian one geriatrician one dietitian one psychiatrist one dietitian one psychiatrist one dietitian seven physicians, seven dietitians 5.2. Conducting the visits 5.2.1. Access to places of detention, proving the mandate to proceed Pursuant to Article 20, Paragraphs b) and c) of the OPCAT, the NPM shall be granted access to all places of detention and their installations and facilities, and to all information referring to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty as well as their conditions of detention. When acting within the powers of the NPM, as Commissioner for Fundamental Rights I may proceed without any restriction. When proceeding in person, I inform the head of the place of detention concerned and the detainees that I am proceeding with the mandate of the NPM. When performing the tasks related to the NPM through my authorized colleagues, they also shall have the rights pursuant to Sections 21, 22 and 26, subsection (1) of Section 27, and Section 39/B, and the obligation for cooperation pursuant to Section 25 shall be complied with also in their respect.93 93 See Section 39/D(1) of the Ombudsman Act