The time allocated for a visit varies depending on the size and specifications of the institution, the number of the persons detained there, as well as the number of NPG members involved in that particular visit. 2.1.2. Ad-hoc visits The ad-hoc visits are mainly undertaken for checking the state of the implementation of the recommendations given at previous visits, preventing prosecution against the persons who have communicated some information to the NPM in this or another form, as well as investigating information given by interviewed detainees about the establishments they were previously held at and the information submitted to the NPG from the analysis of complaints addressed to the Commissioner, checking on the spot the information reported by mass media and that the NPG is interested in, and also at the Commissioner’s own initiative. 2.2. Conducting visits Ensuring the effectiveness of visits requires encompassing the three main stages. Thus the visits of the Azerbaijani NPM are conducted through the following stages: - Preparation for the visit; - Conducting the visit; - Post-visit activities. Preparation for the visit usually lasts up to two working days and covers collecting necessary information, defining the purpose of the visit and organization of a visiting group. During the preparation process, collection of necessary information, including those obtained at the previous visits, as well as the information received from other sources, complaints addressed to the Commissioner, and the information obtained from mass media are analyzed, and the legal framework regulating the operation of the institution, and the relevant international standards are reviewed. The purposes of the visit are defined encompassing such issues as a general assessment of the condition and treatment, investigation of certain issues on condition and treatment (for example, execution of disciplinary punishments, quality of medical treatment etc.), checking the cases revealed during the previous visits, the state of implementation of forwarded proposals and recommendations, defining the issues to pay special attention to and other activities. During the establishing a visiting group the composition of the group is formed considering number, profession, gender etc. The questionnaires for visit and interviews, templates for taking minutes of conversations with 13