It should be positively mentioned that, in 2016, the prisoners placed in penitentiary establishments nos. 8, 9, 18, and 19 were allowed to have long visits in other establishments with the requisite infrastructure. However, it remains problematic to provide the long visit infrastructure in closed-type establishments21 and medical establishments.22 The convicts of the high risk prison facilities are not allowed to have long visits. This is a blanket restriction which does not allow an exception for securing a legitimate aim. It should be positively mentioned that the Minister of Corrections of Georgia introduced a new initiative according to which convicts placed at the high risk prison facilities will be allowed to two long visits. The Public Defender expresses his hope that this initiative will soon be provided for by the Imprisonment Code, which will be a step forward. Telephones are so installed in the closed-type establishments that it is impossible to make a phone call in a confidential environment. Besides, it is still problematic for the prisoners placed in de-escalation rooms to send correspondence to or call the Public Defender. During the monitoring visits made to establishments nos. 5, 8, and 11, the representatives of the Public Defender tried several times to call the hotline (1481) of the Office of the Public Defender but the calls could not go through. It is also noteworthy that prisoners cannot call the Office of the Public Defender or other organs of inspection at night. The Public Defender welcomes the steps made towards informing prisoners of their rights, including the right to lodge an application/appeal as well as the procedures for their consideration. In particular, handing out information booklets on the rights of remand and convicted persons and delivering training sessions in several establishments should be positively assessed. Despite these efforts, informing prisoners adequately remains a challenge in penitentiary establishments. According to the assessment made by the Special Preventive Group, the function of social services aimed at exercising the right to apply/appeal by prisoners should be enhanced. Laws or information on the rights and duties of prisoners is not available in the cells. It is problematic to collect the number of registration confirming an open letter from a closedtype establishment and sending an appeal with due respect for confidentiality. The Public Defender welcomes the increase in the number of inspections carried out by the Division of Systemic Monitoring of the Inspectorate General in comparison to 2015. However, the Public Defender observes that unannounced monitoring is more effective as it is the surprise factor that allows more problematic areas to be identified. In terms of ensuring security at a penitentiary establishment, it should also be taken into consideration that security encompasses many other elements such as personal screening of an remand/convicted person and periodic inspection of the premises of an establishment and buildings and constructions located there. It is important that the establishments should maintain the existing well-qualified resources. To this end, salaries should be adequate and working conditions should be favourable to remunerate hard and labour-consuming work. The health-care personnel of 21 22 22 Penitentiary establishments nos. 7, 8, 9. Penitentiary establishments nos. 18 and 19. HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CLOSED INSTITUTIONS