CAT/OP/GBR/RONPM/1 103. The Subcommittee also recommends that the national preventive mechanism conduct a lessons-learned exercise to take stock of the existing methodology, and continue adjusting and reviewing the working methods and practices of the members of the mechanism as it endeavours to harmonize the methodology and to fulfil its mandate in the most efficient manner. 104. In light of the above, the Subcommittee recommends that the national preventive mechanism of the United Kingdom: (a) Ensure that its working practices are consistent with standards for preventive monitoring; (b) Conduct training in lay entities of the mechanism to ensure consistency in the methodology of volunteers and lay observers from the moment of selection; (c) Conduct cross-institution training and exchanges across different national preventive mechanism bodies; (d) Establish and use a referral system for individual complaints, which should not be handled by the national preventive mechanism; (e) Enhance multidisciplinarity through improved composition of the visiting teams, as well as coordination and joint inspections across national preventive mechanism bodies. (g) Prevention of reprisals 105. The Subcommittee notes with appreciation that Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, the Independent Monitoring Boards and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman developed a protocol to address any alleged sanctions that come about as a result of their work. However, during the visits carried out jointly with the national preventive mechanism bodies, the Subcommittee noted that neither in the interviews with persons deprived of liberty (in the case of the Inspectorate) nor at the final debriefings with the staff (Independent Monitoring Boards and lay observers) did the national preventive mechanism mention the prohibition of intimidation of and reprisal against persons deprived of their liberty. 106. The Subcommittee recommends that the national preventive mechanism always consider that there is a risk of intimidation, sanctions or reprisals, and therefore take steps to address that risk. In addition to the precautions mentioned above, the mechanism should clearly inform the authorities that reprisal of any kind is impermissible, will be reported to the respective authorities and will be followed up by the mechanism. The manner in which the Subcommittee addresses the issue of reprisals and sanctions is set out in CAT/OP/6/Rev.1. IV. Next steps 107. The Subcommittee hopes that its visit to the United Kingdom serves as an opportunity to strengthen the role of the national preventive mechanism, its work and its impact in prevention of torture and ill-treatment. 108. Despite the inherited complex nature of the national preventive mechanism, the Subcommittee recommends that the mechanism take proactive steps aimed at transforming itself into a more cohesive preventive body. 109. The Subcommittee requests that a reply to the present report be provided within six months from the date of its transmission. The reply should respond directly to all the recommendations and requests for further information made in the report, giving a full account of action that has already been taken or is planned in order to implement the recommendations. It should include details concerning the implementation of institution-specific recommendations and concerning general policy and practice. 110. The Subcommittee considers both its visit and the present report to form part of an ongoing process of dialogue. The Subcommittee looks forward to assisting the national preventive mechanism of the United Kingdom in fulfilling its obligations under 18