Section three The NPM in 2016–17 Specific findings • All members reported that they were fully compliant across several questions, including making recommendations to the relevant authorities with the aim of improving the treatment and conditions of persons deprived of their liberty and to prevent torture and ill-treatment (Q 1.2), and having a mechanism for urgent action procedures (Q 1.45). Members continued to report full compliance with the requirement to ensure that any confidential information acquired during their work is protected (Q 1.56). • Progress was reported for the third consecutive year in the area of gender balance and representation of ethnic and minority groups in visiting teams (Q 1.17). However, 11 NPM members remain only partially compliant in this area. • Members continued to report the lowest levels of compliance for questions relating to sanctions, including whether they: had developed a strategy for the prevention of reprisals or threats against people interviewed during visits and people who provide information during visits (Q 1.36); act upon information which gives rise to concerns about possible reprisals received from others (Q 1.40); and seek to ensure that a disciplinary or criminal investigation is initiated in cases of alleged reprisals (Q 1.42). • Other questions with the lowest levels of compliance reported were whether the NPM has: a policy setting out the types of information that can be collected in group interviews and the types of information that should only be collected in private interviews (Q 1.37); and a strategy that includes cooperation on follow-up of cases of suspected or documented torture or ill-treatment (Q 1.50). • Organisations based in Northern Ireland were the most positive about their compliance, reporting 92.7% full compliance, compared with members from England who reported the lowest level of full compliance at 79.1%. • As in previous years, lay bodies reported a higher level of full compliance (89.2%), compared with professional bodies (85.5%). Conclusion The findings of the self-assessment are presented to the NPM membership each year at the business meeting following the completion of the analysis. Members then discuss the findings in order to develop actions to be taken in areas that require further progress, both at the level of individual organisations and for the NPM as a whole. Discussions this year are expected to focus on sanctions and follow up of cases of suspected or documented torture or ill‑treatment. 73