2 Chapter FINDINGS OF THE PREVENTIVE VISITS TO THE CLOSED INSTITUTIONS 2.1 . General information and main statistical data Methodology of preventive visits The National Centre in accordance with the requirements of the Law on the National Centre developed a methodology and program of preventive visits to places of detention and restrictions of freedom, and this was approved by the Coordination Council of the National Centre. Preventive visits were carried out by the National Centre on a standalone basis, as well as with the participation of experts, who are in the Register of experts of the National Centre for the Prevention of Torture, to places of detention and restrictions of freedom, in accordance with the Law on the National Centre. Most experts are representatives of non-governmental organizations, with many years of experience in monitoring places of detention and restrictions of freedom, such as "Voice of Freedom" PF, "Regional Human Rights Organization ‘Justice’” PF, “Ray of Solomon" PF, “Kylym Shamy" PF, “Bir Duino – Kyrgyzstan” PF, “Youth Human Rights Group" PO, and “Child`s Rights Defenders League" PF. The requirements of the law on gender balance and representation of different ethnic groups and minority groups were taken into account when forming monitoring groups. The teams included persons with professional skills necessary for effective preventive visits taking into consideration specifics of visits to places of detention and restrictions of freedom7. Admission of experts to places of detention and restrictions of freedom is carried out on the basis of a written resolution of a standard form issued by the Director of the National Centre for the Prevention of Torture or the head of territorial representation. When carrying out preventive visits, the National Centre used tools to gather information tested over three years of monitoring places of detention and restrictions of freedom in the framework of the Memorandum on cooperation in the field of human rights and freedoms in 2011-2013. As the main method of gathering information, semi-structured interviews were used with those held in places of deprivation of liberty, in strict compliance with the principle of voluntary consent to participate in the study by the directors and staff of closed institutions. 7 Law of KR “On National Center of KR for the prevention of torture,” Article 25, part 3. National Centre of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Prevention of Torture | 13