CAT/OP/ECU/2 within the scope of its mandate, as an essential tool for reinforcing its preventive role. The Subcommittee therefore encourages the national preventive mechanism to redouble its efforts to promote trust and to build a climate of constructive cooperation with civil society. The Subcommittee reiterates the need for the adoption of measures to make the mandate and the work of the national preventive mechanism known, as a first step towards establishing a fruitful dialogue with civil society. These information and communication activities should be undertaken throughout the country. B. Recommendations relating to methodological issues 46. The Subcommittee wishes to express its appreciation for the professionalism and competence with which the national preventive mechanism prepares for and conducts visits to places of deprivation of liberty. The Subco mmittee notes with satisfaction the swift institutional development and dynamic nature of the national preventive mechanism. The Subcommittee also notes with appreciation the numerous training events that it has conducted, its development of protocols and guidelines for action, its focus on prevention, and the considerable number of detailed and follow -up visits undertaken by the national preventive mechanism in just two years of operation. At the time of the Subcommittee’s visit, the national preventive mechanism had visited 24 adult centres of deprivation of liberty, some of them several times, 7 centres for young offenders, a temporary shelter for foreigners and a police training centre. 47. The Subcommittee also takes note of the national preventive mec hanism staff members’ frankness and willingness to engage in a critical analysis of its limitations, such as its need for more truly multidisciplinary teams and the obstacles to the publication of its reports. 48. The Subcommittee noted the importance that the national preventive mechanism attaches to unannounced visits, which allow for greater insights into the real conditions prevailing in a centre of deprivation of liberty. The national preventive mechanism also respected the principle of confidentiality when engaging with people deprived of their liberty. 49. In order to assist and advise the national preventive mechanism in its task of protecting persons deprived of their liberty, and based on the two visits undertaken jointly with the mechanism (see annex II), the Subcommittee would like to make the following recommendations concerning preparations for visits to places of deprivation of liberty, the methodology to be used during visits and subsequent action. Preparations for visits 50. The Subcommittee commends the national preventive mechanism upon its establishment of an annual work programme in accordance with articles 4 and 29 of the Optional Protocol. 2 The Subcommittee notes with satisfaction that the national preventive mechanism holds preparatory meetings prior to visits in order to establish priorities and set up gender-balanced teams. 51. The Subcommittee recommends that the national preventive mechanism continue its strategic planning of visits to places of deprivation of liberty based on its established priorities and that it ensure that its work covers all types of institution in all geographic regions of the country. The Subcommittee therefore encourages the national preventive mechanism to further expand the coverage of its visits to include different categories of places of deprivation of liberty, such as __________________ 2 12/20 CAT/OP/12/5, para. 33. GE.15-11962