64 European cooperation In 2018, the NPM has regularly provided input to the European newsletter for national preventive mechanisms, which is published by the Council of Europe. In January 2018, we met with the Danish Ombudsman’s children’s office (Børnekontoret) to exchange experience from visits to child and adolescent institutions under the prevention mandate. One of the meeting’s main focus points was effective and good ways of giving information and talking to children and youth. Later in January, the NPM went on a study visit to Ballerup Psychiatric Centre in Copenhagen. The visit, which included a tour of the premises, was organised to learn more about effective strategies to achieve a reduction in the use of force in psychiatric inpatient clinics. NORWEGIAN PARLIAMENTARY OMBUDSMAN National Preventive Mechanism ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Through targeted efforts over many years, Ballerup has managed to significantly reduce the use of ­m echanical restraints without a corresponding increase in the use of other coercive measures or work-related injuries, and without reducing employee satisfaction. Among the measures included in the project were an increased focus on activities, increased staff presence in the section and a focus on targeted staff guidance. In November 2018, the NPM was represented at a regional meeting for national preventive mechanisms and non-profit organisations from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) member states. The meeting was coordinated by the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The topics were the prevention of torture and inhuman treatment relating to administrative detention of migrants, and cooperation between national preventive mechanisms and civil society. International cooperation Together with four other international experts, the NPM has been represented in a sounding board for the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) in its work to develop a manual for preventive work under OPCAT. We have also provided input to the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) in its work to develop a checklist to improve health monitoring in connection with visits under the prevention mandate. The NPM in Geneva at the oral dialogue between Norwegian government representatives and the UN Committee against Torture. From left: Christian Ranheim, Mette Jansen Wannerstedt, Helga Fastrup Ervik, Jannicke Godø, and J ­ ohannes ­Flisnes Nilsen.