Report on the Performance of Activities of the National Preventive Mechanism for 2017 accommodation, in particular regarding the room with special security without dangerous items. According to records of the COPSPD, in 2017, this measure was implemented on 30 occasions, mostly (13 cases, 43%) in the Šibenik State and County Prison with the capacity of 119 persons. On the other hand, in the Zagreb County Prison, the largest penal body with the capacity of 626 persons, this measure was implemented only once. In the case of the Lepoglava State Prison (capacity 542 persons), the measure was not implemented at all in 2017. Eight out of 21 state and county prisons do not have such a room in the first place and this is also a cause of inconsistencies in the prison system. Implementation of the measure “isolation from other prisoners” that is not implemented under supervision (as in accordance with the EPSA) and that does not require a special medical approval, is sometimes used in case of prisoners at risk of suicide. For instance, during the visit to the Lepoglava State Prison, one prisoner had been isolated, although, according to his Operational Plan of Activities to Prevent Suicide, inter alia, permanent stay in a group with other prisoners was to be provided for. Since isolation can have the opposite effect in these situations, it is better to avoid it as a special measure. During our visit to the ward under increased security supervision, prisoners complained about the lengthiness of this measure because they thought that the need to extend its duration had not been examined in detail. They added that they did not find the criteria used to return to other prisoners clear enough. This problem was pointed out by the CPT in its 1998 report for Croatia. In addition, prisoners covered by this measure have very little scope of free-time activities. Potential educational activities are also limited, whereas their involvement in treatment activities becomes less intense compared to other wards. It must be emphasised at this point that some of the prisoners have been accommodated in this ward for over 10 years. Nonetheless, shortly after our visit to the State Prison, some positive moves have been made. For instance, prisoners have been involved in work programmes and officials employed at the treatment department have been engaged more intensely. These are promising signs. When asked to assess the behaviour of judicial police officials in anonymous surveys and on the basis of the conversations that we had during our visits, the majority of persons deprived of liberty had a positive opinion about their conduct. Yet, the respondents pointed out that some individuals did not behave in a professional manner and that they derided and insulted them. Such a practice created negative impression about the work of the entire security department. Since unprofessional behaviour leads to breaches of rights of persons deprived of liberty, as well as underestimation of the efforts and professional conduct of their colleagues performing this demanding task, these allegations should be analysed in detail. According to records of the COPSPD, means of coercion were applied in 46 cases, which represents a 19% decrease compared to 2016. The mace spray with allowed harmless substances was used on 25 occasions, while the acts of bringing in and defence techniques were applied in 21 cases. These means of coercion were mostly applied in the Šibenik State and County prison (on 11 occasions). In case of two largest penal institutions, they were applied in five cases – on two occasions in Zagreb and three times in Lepoglava. This is not necessarily indicative of higher repression in the relevant penal institutions, but it does call for evaluation of uniform procedures in the prison system. Records are kept regularly and all prisoners subjected to the use of means of coercion were examined by a physician. 14