CAT/OP/POL/CNPMRO/1 58. Moreover, a representative of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR) and the International Humanitarian Initiative took part in the NMPT’s Regional Debates4 that were organized in 2016-2018. During the debate in Wrocław, the HFHR representative discussed problems related to respecting the rights of minors in detention. The debate in Rzeszów focused on the problem of victims of torture in closed centres for migrants; the problem was explained by the representative of the Initiative. 59. The said cooperation of the NMPT with non-governmental organizations is of great value, as their representatives have extensive knowledge regarding human rights protection. It also serves the purpose of ensuring transparency of the Mechanism’s activities. Therefore, in connection with the recommendation of the Subcommittee, please be informed that relevant NGOs will be requested to take part in the activities of the NMPT, such as visits to places of deprivation of liberty, and the conducted trainings. In addition, the International Humanitarian Initiative will be requested to carry out training for employees of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture in the use of the Manual on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (“Istanbul Protocol”). 60. The issue of enhancing the NMPT’s cooperation with civil society organizations will also be discussed by the NMPT Expert Committee. B. Recommendations on methodological issues 1. Recommendations on visit methodology Preparing for and conducting of visits Comments on the recommendation(s) contained in paragraph 39 61. As regards the Subcommittee’s recommendation, please be informed that in all visited establishments, the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture follows the same methodology. The first step is to determine the composition of the visiting team. The team consists of several persons, one of whom acts as the team coordinator. Two people, including the coordinator, are responsible for drawing up a post-visit report, and inspect the premises and buildings of the establishment, while the others conduct individual conversations with persons deprived of their liberty. External experts participating in visits draw up expert opinions which are incorporated in the visit report. 62. The duration of a specific visit depends on the size of the visited establishment, and lasts 1 to 3 days. Every visit of the NMPT comprises the following stages: • Conversation with the establishment’s managers. • Inspection of all rooms used by persons deprived of their liberty. • Individual and group conversations with detainees. • Conversations with the personnel. • Analysis of documents and video surveillance footage. • Formulation of preliminary post-visit recommendations. • Listening to the recommendations. establishment managers’ opinions on the presented 63. Activities conducted during the joint visit of the NMPT and members of the SPT followed this sequence. However, as the Subcommittee noted in its report, that was the first visit of the NMPT to a facility of this type. Therefore, all participating members of the 4 A series of 16 regional debates, which took place between 2016 and 2018 in the capital cities of the country’s provinces. The NMPT representatives discussed the main problems in the operation of places of deprivation of liberty in Poland. The meetings were addressed to employees of all types of places of detention, to prosecutors, judges, employees of the provincial governments, as well as universities. 13