ANNUAL SPECIAL REPORT 2018 57 6. Care Institutions for Disabled Persons 6.a. Competence of the NPM on care institutions for disabled persons Within the framework of its competencies, the NPM visits places for people with disabilities who have serious support needs. These public or private facilities, given the actual living conditions, the specific personal constraints of the individuals concerned, and often the legitimate grounds for commitment (placement by a public prosecutor's office), are de facto restriction sites, which are considered to fall under Article 4 of Law 4228/2014. In these places, people with severe disabilities are deprived of their liberty as they cannot actually leave on the basis of personal desire or will, especially in cases of lack of legal capacity, and personal restraint measures (chemical/ pharmaceutical or mechanical restraint), which are also within the competence of the NPM, may also be taken. 6.b. Completion of pilot intervention and implementation of de-institutionalisation programmes In 2018, the NPM conducted an inspection at the Department of Disabled People of Lehaina of the Centre for Social Welfare of the Region of Western Greece (29 January). Since 2011, the Ombudsman has been monitoring the issue of the living and care conditions of children with severe and complex disabilities living outside the family environment, as well as of adults, in the structures of Social Welfare Centres, including the Department of Disabled People of Lehaina27. The Authority has highlighted violations of the human rights persons under care and found serious deficiencies in the areas of care, rehabilitation, education, socialisation, activities, entertainment, lack of adequate and appropriate staff and scientific supervision, bedding/cabinets, strapping and drug suppression, electronic monitoring instead of human presence, non-observance of therapeutic protocols and shortfalls in equipment and facilities. In addition, the Authority has noted that the current institutional framework and existing living conditions do not guarantee the protection of the 27 The Greek Ombudsman, Report “Care Institution for Disabled Children in Lehaina” https://www.synigoros.gr/?i=childrens-rights.el.anaphries.46868