Recommendations (E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.3) basis of which might be the Public Defender’s Office. This national institution should also be vested with investigatory powers in relation to allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and provided with the necessary financial and human resources, and appropriate capacity-building, to carry out its functions effectively (o) Situation during visit (See: E/CN.4/2006/6/Add.3) Steps taken in previous years (See: A/HRC/4/33/Add.2 and A/HRC/7/3/Add.2) Information received on steps taken since December 2007/current situation • • • A/HRC/10/44/Add.5 page 41 • prepare recommendations aiming at the elimination of any violations in penitentiary institutions (including on education, food, health care) and public reports On 1 December 2007, Local Monitoring Councils operated in 11 penitentiary establishments (n. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, women and juveniles in Tbilisi, prison hospitals in Tbilissi and in Ksani) Selection process for the remaining five penitentiary establishments failed due to the lack of candidates On the basis of a 2004 Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Interior and the Public Defender, representatives of NGOs authorized by the Ombudsman can enter temporary detention facilities without prior notice; although the possibility of sending reports to the Prosecutor’s office is provided, this has not been done in more than three years In 2008, the Human Rights Unit of the General Inspection at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia continued to monitor the human rights situation in the penitentiary establishment. • Meetings were held with 22 prisoners based on their appeals • In 45 instances, the Unit has