72 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 The importance of the various focus points differs between institutions. For instance, education is of particular importance at institutions for children and young people. The focus points were selected because together they give a clear picture of whether residents at an institution are treated in a dignified and considerate way and in compliance with their rights. But several of the focus points are also of importance when it comes to assessing whether authorities and institutions comply with the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. This was given weight because the Ombudsman has been appointed to prevent violation of the Convention in Denmark. Monitoring visits in 2013 in figures The Ombudsman concluded 85 monitoring cases in 2013. - 5 cases were concluded with criticism and formal recommendations. - 49 cases were concluded with informal, verbal recommendations etc. - 28 cases were concluded without any com­ments. - 3 cases were closed in other ways. The Om­budsman discontinued one case be­cause criminal proceedings were opened against employees at the institution, while 2 cases related to unannounced visits which could not be carried out for practical reasons. Institutions for adults In 2013, the Ombudsman carried out mon­itoring visits to 60 different institutions. ­During some of these visits, the Ombudsman vis­it­ed 2 or more independent sections wit­hin the same institution. All visits were announced. The Ombudsman’s monitoring teams had conversations with 264 users (inmates, ­patients, residents, etc.). The Ombudsman concluded 9 cases related to the Monitoring Department’s activities which had been opened on the Ombudsman’s own initiative. No criticism was expressed in any of the cases. In addition, the Ombudsman concluded 39 cases about attempted suicides and deaths at institutions of the Prison and Probation Service. Criticism was expressed in 2 cases. On 5 occasions, Ombudsman staff informed foreign ombudsmen and/or national preventive mechanisms about the OPCAT work, and experiences were shared. Institutions for children In 2013, the Ombudsman carried out monitoring visits to 12 different institutions etc. for children and young people. During some visits, the Ombudsman visited 2 or more independent sections within the same institution. All visits were announced. The Ombudsman’s monitoring teams had conversations with 45 children and young people. The Ombudsman concluded 3 cases re­lat­ed to the Monitoring Department’s activities which had been opened on the Ombudsman’s own initiative. Criticism was ex­pressed in one of these cases.