that Idrija Psychiatric Hospital inform patients to the greatest extent possible of the possibility of wearing their own daytime clothing and encourage them to do so, except when this is hindered or even prevented by the specific nature of the patient’s medical condition; • the implementation of SPM in an armchair in the living room is not suitable, according to the NPM, since it fails to ensure suitable privacy and safety for the patient being restricted. If Idrija Psychiatric Hospital implements restriction in the armchair as an SPM, we ask that it immediately cease this practice (unless the relevant patient agrees to the presence of other patients) and implements SPM only in rooms used for such purposes (on a bed or armchair) under constant staff supervision; • we proposed that the Ministry of Health respond accordingly to the wishes and proposals of Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital and promptly inform us about efforts to open a suitably equipped paedopsychiatric ward in Slovenia as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Ministry should inform us of the reasons Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital did not receive a reply to its proposal for comorbidity treatment, or it should submit the relevant reply to us; • all patients in ward I3 of Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital are given statements which they signed upon admission and issued decisions; nevertheless, we proposed that, after a while, each patient be given the opportunity to again give consent to their accommodation in the special supervision ward, and to have the opportunity to understand their status with a suitable explanation and be provided with all information or clarifications relevant for them, since certain patients do not remember this later, and appear to be ignorant and unaware of their position (display restlessness, dissatisfaction). 4.5 V  isits to residential treatment institutions and youth homes In 2016, we visited four residential treatment institutions and youth homes, i.e. Maribor Youth Home (MD Maribor), Jarše Youth Home (MD Jarše), Fran Milčinski Smlednik Educational Institution (VIZ Smlednik) and Logatec Education and Training Institution (ZVI Logatec). All visits took place in accordance with the NPM’s visit plan for 2016. During the visits, we examined the observance of recommendations made by the NPM during its last visit, and the living conditions of children and adolescents in the institutions and their treatment. We also checked the circumstances important for a final assessment of cases of possible ill-treatment, punishment or even torture in a visited institution. All four visits were unannounced. The members of the visiting group, consisting of the Ombudsman’s representative and two representatives of NGOs, held a discussion with the management of the institution in three cases, which was followed by an inspection of the premises and surrounding area. Most of the time was spent in discussion with the children, adolescents and staff, and monitoring the dynamics in a group or in individual units or residential groups. In one case, the visiting group first visited a residential group, then held a discussion with the management at the central unit of the institution. We also witnessed direct educational work, examined the institution’s documentation and randomly selected personal files of children and adolescents, and observed the conduct of childcare workers and other staff. In most cases, we gave the initial findings and recommendations to the management of the institution already after the discussion. The visiting group then prepared a preliminary report with findings, recommendations and commendations. Following the response of the institution, their clarifications were included in the final report, which was submitted to the institution and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (MIZŠ). For the most part, the institutions responded positively to our visit and the recommendations; most of our recommendations were accepted and some already implemented. From a total of 59 recommendations, 36 were accepted, 11 already implemented, and only 6 were rejected; the institutions or the MIZŠ did not take a particular position on 6 recommendations. The MIZŠ also responded positively to our visits and recommendations, most of which it accepted. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2016 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 91