Working methods To be able to carry out systematic and expedient prevention work, it is crucial that the NPM has full, unabridged access to sources. Reviewing relevant documentation in advance enables the NPM to identify potential risk factors for undignified and inhuman treatment, thereby ensuring that the visits address the challenges at the place in question. Interviews with people deprived of their liberty During the NPM’s visits, the conditions at the ­institution are examined through own observa ­ tions, interviews, and a review of documentation. Cameras are used to document physical conditions, ­information posters, and equipment. The NPM’s main focus is always on conducting private interviews with the persons who have been deprived of their liberty. These interviews are a particularly important source of information, because people deprived of their liberty have first-hand knowledge of the conditions at the institutions. They are in a particularly vulnerable situation and have a special right to protection. Interpreters are used as required. 15 Interviews are also conducted with the staff, management, health services and other relevant actors. Documentation is also obtained to demonstrate the conditions at the institution, such as routines and procedures, local guidelines, administrative decisions on the use of force, logs, plans, and health documentation. — The NPM prepares adapted interview guides for the different groups we wish to interview during a visit. All the conversations take place in the form of partly structured interviews. — All findings are published The NPM writes a report after every visit. In the reports, we describe the findings and risk factors identified during the visit and present recommendations for changes to the institution. The goal of these recommendations is to reduce the risk of people deprived of their liberty being subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. All reports are published on the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s website. We also send the report to the institution in question and ask that they make the report available to the people deprived of their liberty and the staff. The institutions visited are given a deadline for ­informing the Ombudsman about their follow-up of the recommendations. Their follow-up is also published on the Ombudsman’s website.

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