Besides, in 2016, with the support of the Open Society Georgia Foundation, the project of Promoting Right to Health in Penitentiary System was carried out in penitentiary establishments.5 In the reporting period, the Special Preventive Group for the assessment of the situation in the country in terms of prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment carried out 35 visits6 to 12 penitentiary establishments;7 58 visits to 58 police divisions; 31 visits8 to 27 temporary detention isolators; 11 visits9 to 11 small family-type children’s homes; 6 visits10 to 6 boarding houses for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, the employees of the Department of Prevention and Monitoring carried out monitoring of five flights within the joint return operation of migrants from EU member states.11 During monitoring, the representatives of the Public Defender inspected the material conditions existing in closed type establishments and protection of the rights of persons placed therein. Special emphasis was made on the treatment of these persons. 2.2. COMMUNICATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS In compliance with its mandate the NPM gives due consideration to the need for maintaining good communication with stakeholders. Notably, it is impossible to carry out inspection, draft recommendations and consequently advocate for and follow up the implementation of recommendations without engaging in the dialogue with civil society, international organizations, relevant governmental authorities and other stakeholders. In this regard, various important activities had been carried out in 2016. 2.2.1. DIALOGUE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES During the reporting period, the NPM maintained active communication and engaged in dialogue with government authorities. Meetings were held both individually and within various working groups. 5 The publication of the report reflecting the results of the research conducted within the project is planned for 2017. 6 At various occasions, in accordance with the necessity, the employees of the Gender Equality Department, Child’s Rights Centre, Department of Criminal Justice and Equality Department of the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia also took part in the monitoring. 7 Members of the Special Preventive Group interviewed 650 prisoners. 8 Members of the Special Preventive Group interviewed 60 arrestees. 9 Monitoring in small family-type children’s homes was conducted jointly with the Child’s Rights Centre of the Office of the Public Defender. 10 Monitoring was carried out with the participation of the employees of the Office of the Public Defender of Georgia at the Department of the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and members of the Monitoring Group of Implementation of CPRD. See the monitoring results in this report, under Chapter on Monitoring of Boarding Houses of Persons with Disabilities. 11 The employees of the Department of Prevention and Monitoring interviewed 206 citizens of Georgia returned to Georgia. NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM (NPM), 2016 7