CAT/C/52/2 into the Subcommittee’s practical work. It regrets that it lacks the capacity to do this as effectively as it would wish, but believes that thought needs to be given to how best to provide appropriate training for the distinctive field-based work of the Subcommittee. B. 1. Development of working practices National preventive mechanism advisory visits 44. With the introduction in 2012 of NPM advisory visits, the Subcommittee refined its working methods when undertaking visits in order to pay greater attention to the NPM component of its mandate. During 2013, the Subcommittee has been able to consolidate its practice in the light of its growing experience in conducting such visits. It has found that it has been able to cover more ground and enquire into the situation in more countries than was previously the case. The introduction of advisory visits has also given the Subcommittee an opportunity to work more closely with NPMs and focus on the systematic issues which have a bearing on the preventive mandate of NPMs and the similar obligation of States parties. It has been able to draw on this experience when advising and assisting States parties and NPMs in other contexts. The Subcommittee considers this development to have been a great success and such visits will continue to figure in its visiting programme. 45. In its current form, the NPM advisory visit presupposes that an NPM is operational in the country which is to be visited. This is not always the case. Therefore, building on its experience during the year under review, the Subcommittee has decided to vary its methodology in undertaking visits in accordance with its mandate under article 11 (b) of the Optional Protocol in order to enable it to better fulfil its obligations under article 11 (b) (i) to advise and assist States parties, when necessary, in the establishment of NPMs. Such visits, which might be accurately described as Optional Protocol advisory visits, will be short, will not involve the Subcommittee in visiting places of detention under its own visiting mandate, and will focus on meeting with the relevant authorities in the State party in order to assist them in fulfilling their obligations under part IV of the Optional Protocol in dialogue with the Subcommittee. 2. Working groups 46. In 2012, the Subcommittee had established a number of ad hoc working groups. During 2013, the working group on training and induction was discontinued after the nineteenth session, as it had fulfilled its purpose of preparing for the induction of the newly elected members. Likewise, the working group on systemic issues relating to NPMs has concluded its work and its recommendations for improved procedures concerning practical engagement with NPMs will be trialled, with a view to their being refined prior to being made public. 47. The working group on medical issues is continuing its work on a range of issues, including refining its position paper on the work of the Subcommittee relating to people with psychiatric illnesses or disabilities and in psychiatric institutions, taking account of the 2013 report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/22/53). 48. The working groups on reprisals, on the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and on practical issues arising from visits continue their work. 49. As the number of Subcommittee visit reports has increased, and the turnover in membership now means that the individuals who have undertaken country visits may no 11