Implementation of Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2010 The Director said that inventory was still being destroyed. The detainees often tear mattresses and hide various objects in them. Member of the DPM also noticed that the lid of the complaint box in the male department was somewhat damaged (but not in the same way as on last year’s visit). Detainees accommodated in the department for vulnerable groups may wear their own clothes, or, if they wish, the Centre uniform; detainees in the male department are obliged to wear the Centre uniform. When the Ombudsman visited CT in 2006 on the basis of the Human Rights Ombudsman Act, he proposed less uniformity by putting more emphasis on individualism and respect. The Centre followed the proposal and detainees received T-shirts in various colours; however, now the detainees want to have exactly the same T-shirt as another person. During the inspection of the CT premises, 12 detainees were willing to talk to us: three women and the son of one of them in the department for vulnerable groups, and eight men. In general, they did not complain about the attitude of the personnel towards them or about staying in the Centre. We should add that the only disturbing thing pointed out by one person in the department for vulnerable groups was that “nothing was going on”. In 2009, there were eight cases of dealing with the detainees in CT due to suspicion of an offence under the Protection of Public Order Act (of which ,four were cases of indecent conduct towards an official, and four were confrontations between detainees) and three cases of suspicion of a criminal act (theft, assault on a police officer, forged banknote). In the same year, force was used in ten cases against 12 detainees. Physical force was used five cases, restraint and mechanical constraints were used three times, a gas dispenser and mechanical constraints were used once, and a gas dispenser and physical force were used once. No one was hurt and there were no complaints. According to the DPM, these circumstances show that means of force were not used excessively, nor did the detainees highlight it in our meetings. This is commendable. In the same period, four detainees attempted to commit suicide or self-injury (attempted hanging which was prevented by a police officer; attempted overdose on tablets; broken mirror, which was used by the person to cut himself; and injury with a ball-point pen). Seven hunger strikes took place, but none lasted for more than six days. As the Head explained, they always act according to the so-called Maltese principles (when a person declares a hunger strike, the doctor examines them, informs them on their health status and on the consequences of deliberate starvation, monitors daily their decision to continue, and similar). CT employs four nurses working in two shifts from 7.00 to 22.00 including weekends and has contracts with two general practitioners and two psychiatrists. The Head specifically pointed out that both doctors work in the emergency department, which is an advantage as they are used to acting quickly, which is sometimes essential. The nurse additionally explained to the expert present that the doctors came to the Centre if necessary, when one of the nurses called. Nurses go to the departments frequently and detainees can apply for a consultation with a doctor. Each detainee is examined by the doctor within 24 hours of admission to CT, except on weekends, when they are examined by the nurse who informs the doctor if necessary. The psychiatrists also come to CT when necessary, and all doctors are always available for telephone consultations. In cases of emergency, doctors from Postojna Health Care Centre intervene, which does not pose problems. If necessary, detainees are also taken to a specialist (dentist, gynaecologist, paediatrician, pulmonologist, etc.). Occasionally someone stays in hospital for treatment. According to the nurse, all medications are dispensed by nurses, and detainees are mostly prescribed antidepressants, sedatives, soporifics and herbal tablets. In the introductory discussion, the Head explained that they made efforts to prevent detainees from having medicines with them or accumulating them, as someone had once ingested a large number of tablets. If possible, tablets are crushed and the detainee must take the medication in the National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 45