Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 It seems that the NPM has to point out far too often the need for greater self-initiative by institutions in regard to the regular spotting of damaged equipment in accommodation rooms for imprisoned persons, and then also to repair the irregularities so determined. This was particularly highlighted in the cases of Maribor Prison, Dob pri Mirni Prison, Koper Prison and Ljubljana Prison. The need to repaint the rooms and fix the plaster was also pointed out in several cases (for example, in regard to the kitchen and dining hall in Maribor Prison, and Ljubljana Prison). The reply by the Director General of PARS was encouraging, for example with regard to our proposal to change old windows in the half-open wing of the Nova Gorica Unit of Koper Prison, as that was later also implemented. Some of the obviously needed repairs, due to the general economic crisis, will have to wait – for example, in Dob pri Mirni Prison, the replacement of old windows in the IVth wing which are not properly sealed, or in Nova Gorica Unit of Koper Prison, the modernisation of the isolation rooms, which the Director General of PARS also agrees is necessary. In Ig Open Unit of Ljubljana Prison, for example, it was proposed that the drain system in front of the shower cabins be repaired since it was very obvious that water collects there and makes the floor slippery and any one of the prisoners might fall down and hurt himself/herself. A similar situation was discovered in Nova Gorica Unit of Koper Prison so it was proposed that shower curtains be installed. In Maribor Prison, the NPM specifically drew attention to problems concerning the provision of hot water for prisoners, while such inconvenience was finally resolved in Ljubljana Prison. Our findings about the possibility of self-sufficiency in agricultural products and livestock produce in Dob pri Mirni Prison were encouraging; the prison has a large agricultural area, as explained by the Director General of PARS, and some work in this direction had already been done since vegetables and food products are also produced by the public utility service for the prison. In regard to the NPM’s further proposal to examine the possibility of organising the production of furniture for the needs of the prison and maybe also for other clients, the Director General was hesitant about the proposal to produce furniture for the use of the prison because of the complicated changes required (investment in suitable equipment and machinery and materials, etc.) but he decided to pursue this proposal in the future. Some proposals were submitted in regard to the situation with the public utility service. After the visit to Maribor Prison, for example, attention was drawn to a statement made by detainees regarding occasional inaction by judiciary police officers in cases when a visit to the toilet (when carrying out work) is needed, and after the visit to Dob pri Mirni Prison that a more efficient cleaning fluid must be provided for the cleaner in order to clean the sanitary facilities; this was also implemented. The circumstances regarding the provision of work for prisoners were explicitly questioned particularly in the case of Celje Prison and Juvenile prison and Ljubljana Prison. It was also proposed several times that (additional) opportunities be found for prisoners for employment during their free time – particularly in Dob pri Mirni Prison; the significance of motivation for prisoners was put to the Director General of PARS. Ljubljana Prison is a case where this field causes concern, particularly in regard to one section of the detainees – the great majority of those accommodated in the ground floor denied the fact that any activity had been organised for them. National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 21