Number in 2017 (Jan. – Nov.) 1,503 Length of response time 0-30 days % 2017 37.91% Number in 2016 (Jan. – Nov.) 1,066 % 2016 28.30% 30-60 days 774 19.52% 830 22.03% More than 60 days 1,193 30.09% 1,188 31.54% Response pending 333 8.40% 563 14.95% Cases not taken up56 162 4.08% 120 3.18% TOTAL 3,965 100% 3,767 100% 65.62% of letters in 2017 were replied to in less than 60 days. In 2016, this rate was 61.48%. The average response time in 2017 was 51 days (i.e. 1.7 months). In 2016, this response time was 52 days (i.e. 1.7 months). 4.2.2 Verifications with the authorities In view of the institutions concerned and the issues raised in the cases referred57, requests for observations and documents are, in most cases, sent to prison directors and physicians working in health blocks and regional mental health departments for prisons (SMPR). Category of authorities called upon as part of the verifications Type of authority referred to Number of referrals Percentage 2017 Percentage 2016 Head of institution 491 69.25% 67.41% Prison director 434 (61.21%) Director of a hospital facility 32 CRA Director 18 Police station 3 Other director 4 Medical staff 107 15.09% Physician in charge of health block, SMPR 100 (14.10%) CRA doctor 4 Hospital doctor 3 Decentralised management 41 5.78% DISP 19 (2.68%) Prefecture 13 Other 5 ARS 4 SPIP 22 DSPIP 13 Satellite office 9 56 3.10% 14.14% 4.97% 4.84% The fact that a case is not taken up does not systematically mean that no action will be taken as regards the issue raised; it refers to letters for which a response is not given directly to the person, either because the sender has wished to remain anonymous, or because the person has been released in the meantime, his/her referral becomes irrelevant or s/he did not wish to receive a response. Verifications can nevertheless be initiated based on a case that is not taken up. 57 See above, analysis of the cases referred to the CGLPL 124