uuObligations to inform management, staff and detainees in places of detention that reprisals are explicitly prohibited by the Optional Protocol and, correspondingly, that the authorities shall ensure absolute prohibition of reprisals. uuDistribution of information about NPMs, including the absolute prohibition of reprisals, and information on how to convey information to the NPMs in confidence. Monitoring and follow-up of allegations of reprisals NPMs should monitor cases of particular concern and follow them up, including through intensified monitoring of places where reprisals have or are likely to have occurred. If appropriate, NPMs should recommend and monitor the transfer of detainees or others at risk to other institutions. Followup activities by NPMs should include, as appropriate: uucontacting and following up with family members; uucollaborating with other actors, such as non-governmental organizations, in interventions and the provision of assistance; uusharing information with international monitoring bodies; and uuproviding recommendations to the relevant authorities. Each case of alleged reprisals should be: uuanalysed, verified and followed-up by NPMs; and, if appropriate, uubrought to the attention of the relevant authorities in an anonymous manner, unless the consent of the detainee concerned is obtained. NPMs should request the authorities to investigate allegations of reprisals through disciplinary or criminal investigation and, if relevant, uuvictims and witnesses should be protected, and where relevant, compensated; uualleged perpetrators should be prosecuted and, when found guilty, punished appropriately. Well-founded concerns about reprisals should be considered for inclusion in the reporting of NPMs and give rise to a recommendation for the improvement of institutional practices, with a view to protecting and compensating the victims and preventing recurrences.44 VI. Conduct of visits Planning NPMs should collect data and background information on all places of detention.45 They should actively seek information on all places of detention, and archive all relevant information on places of detention and the treatment of persons. NPMs should establish transparent and clear criteria for selecting places of detention to be visited, bearing in mind the following: uuthat all places of detention be visited regularly; uuthe type, size, security level, and nature of human rights concerns; and uuthe need for inclusion of urgent and follow-up visits. 44 CAT/OP/1/Rev.1, paragraph 37 (f). 45 According to article 20(1), States parties to OPCAT undertake to grant to NPMs “access to all information concerning the number of persons deprived of their liberty in places of detention […], as well as the number of places and their location.” 24 I PREVENTING TORTURE: THE ROLE OF NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISMS – A PRACTICAL GUIDE