-65 incidents of violence. Violent conflicts may erupt when prisoners feel treated unkindly by staff or do not have decisions explained. The quality of relationships with staff is often what makes prisoners’ lives either tolerable or unbearable. Positive relationships are often developed in a ‘light-present regime’ (see above § 2.3). » MONITORING TOOLS: Staff-prisoner relationships and more generally the type of regime adopted in the prison can best be monitored by observing the prison conditions and culture (see above § 4.3.1) as well as through interviews and surveys (see above § 4.3.2 and § 4.3.4). » STANDARDS: Positive relationships between staff and prisoners are at the core of the concept of dynamic security as well as the standards on professionalisms and ethics of prison staff (see above § 3.2.4). GUIDING QUESTIONS Example questions for NPMs’ own assessment • Are the staff present in the prison and have a close and good relationship with prisoners? Is the relationship between staff and prisoners characterized by principles of accountability, integrity, respect for and protection of human dignity, care and assistance, fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination, co-operation, confidentiality and data protection? How does staff treat and address prisoners (e.g. does staff normally knock on prisoners’ doors before entering to respect their? Is derogatory language used)? How do the two groups interact among themselves? • Is there an official vision statement that may contribute to strengthening a positive and rehabilitative culture? Example questions for interviews with prison staff • What matters most in the professional relationship with a prisoner? • If you put yourself in the shoes of a prisoner, how would you feel about the current prison conditions? • How would you describe the culture in this prison? What makes it Monitoring Prison Violence