the sense of how they are treated and the use of coercive measures. Such cooperation and exchange of experience in the implementation of preventive visits within the context of the SEE NPM Network has already proven useful in the past. It is an excellent opportunity for the exchange of best practice in the implementation of the duties and powers of the NPM, while it also provides an opportunity to learn about how prisoners are treated in other countries, and in this respect also the legal framework which governs the enforcement of penal sanctions. A good example of best practice in Zadar Prison is their confidential access to health services, as prisoners submit their requests for medical examination in special closed boxes located in every unit (opened exclusively by health personnel). Representatives of the Slovenian NPM visited their colleagues in Austria, where they learned about the treatment of forensic patients, as well as their treatment after release. This is a field where we have found numerous difficulties. 1.7 Conclusion We believe that, in cooperation with the selected NGOs, the Ombudsman continued to ensure the efficient implementation of the duties and powers of the NPM in 2017. On the whole, we are pleased with the response of the relevant authorities (especially the institutions visited) to our findings and recommendations for improvement, as these show a readiness to cooperate. We particularly note that the institutions that we visited in 2017 are trying to take all the necessary measures for improvement which are within their domain. We are pleased to establish that the findings, observations, and recommendations for improvement made by the Ombudsman within the context of the duties and powers of the NPM frequently result in an improvement in the conditions and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. We strive to further enhance and deepen our cooperation with the relevant ministries, especially with regard to issues which require systemic changes in the field. It was therefore worrisome to receive a communication from the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities that the Ministry was unable to respond to our reports and recommendations in time due to limitations in human resources. Several problems have been established in the operation of social care institutions with regard to the application of the ZDZdr. These problems relate to the observation of the definition of a secure department, admission of people to these departments (as pointed out the by NPM special report), ensuring the required human resources, and the use of special precautionary measures, among other things. Deficiencies in the use of special precautionary measures have also been established during our visits to psychiatric hospitals. We therefore strive for a closer cooperation in this field, particularly in faster response times by the Ministry of Health and other actors when it comes to the adoption of measures aimed at improving the situation (e.g. the preparation of the required amendments and annexations to the ZDZdr and professional guidelines for the use of (special) precautionary measures as early as possible). For quite some time now, we have also been warning the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the need to prepare expert bases for a comprehensive and unified treatment of adolescents, with instructions on appropriate educational action, especially with regard to adolescents with mental health problems and associated violent and hetero-aggressive behaviour. On the other hand, the cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior and the Police is exemplary with regard to the review of the findings from visits to police stations. These predominantly relate to the furnishing of detention rooms, the recording of detention, and the enforcement of the rights of detainees and the possibilities for outdoor exercise. With regard to the processing of aliens, we wish to point out the processing of minors, especially unaccompanied minors. We can also commend the cooperation of the Ministry of Justice or the Prison Administration. Problems remain in this field with regard to the overcrowding of individual prisons, ensuring appropriate accommodation facilities and work possibilities, ensuring the required human resources, and care for especially vulnerable people in custody (the elderly, people with disabilities, etc.) who need special equipment during their incarceration. In conclusion, we highlight the fact that the NPM’s operations significantly contribute to improving the situation of persons deprived of their liberty. We are pleased to report that no cases of torture or other forms of cruel treatment or punishment were established during our visits in 2017. Our recommendations for improvements indicate situations which may represent inhuman or degrading treatment (maltreatment) of persons deprived of their liberty (e.g. problems ensuring rooms for people with mental health problems, and consequently their accommodation in hallways and other common areas of social care institutions or even refusing them admittance; inappropriate IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2017 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 17