Implementation of the Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2012 Equipment in rooms The detention rooms are generally adequately numbered and adequately equipped (for example, with toilets). Beds are typically wooden and equipped with PVC mattresses and bedding which a person receives upon his/her arrival (blankets or disposable bedding). The bedding is usually stored in a special room or warehouse. As an example of good practice in relation to the equipment of rooms, the following was highlighted by the NPM: • placing fresh bedding and a blanket in detention rooms and a brochure produced by the Ministry of the Interior regarding rights of a detained person, a up-to-date list of lawyers and a printed notification on rights of a detained person (PS Črnomelj); • upon the visit of PS Murska Sobota it was discovered that the recommendation from the previous visit, i.e., to check the stench of faeces in detention room number 4 was taken into consideration since the smell was not noticed during this visit. It was discovered by the NPM that the second recommendation from the previous visit, i.e., to place mattresses in the rooms for short periods of detention, was also taken into account; • the recommendation by the NPM was also taken into account in PS Gorišnica which numbered the detention rooms appropriately; • and the recommendation from the previous visit was also taken into account in PS Lendava, since in both rooms for short periods of detention, mattresses had been put in place. During visits, the NPM, however, also drew attention to some deficiencies: • in detention room number 3, between the toilet and the remaining part of the detention room, there was a damaged wall covered with tiles so that tiles were falling down at the broken part of the wall which means a potential danger that any detained person, while being detained, might hurt themselves with these pieces since the chipped off pieces were rather sharp (PS Lendava). It was proposed that this room should not be used until this damage was repaired. It was stated in the Ministry of the Interior’s response report that the damaged tiles had been replaced. • The NPM proposed to the Ministry of the Interior the plumbing fixture in PS Murska Sobota be replaced, and other police stations where old plumbing fixtures were still installed since, as it was explained by the commander of PS Murska Sobota, there had been two attempts to commit suicide when a person had tied a part of some clothing to the plumbing fixture. The Ministry of the Interior mentioned that they were aware that in some police units plumbing fixtures were not the most adequate in terms of safety which was why they would be gradually replaced within the scope of the maintenance of the premises of the Police and the available financial funds. Lighting in detention rooms The majority of police stations visited in 2012 had good or at least satisfactory daylight in the detention rooms. In spite of that it needs to be mentioned that daylight of slightly poorer quality was noticed in PS Ljutomer since opaque glass is installed in detention rooms there. Poor quality daylight was also noticed in PS Murska Sobota, in their rooms for short period of detention, as a result of the covered walking area on the outside part of the building that prevents the entry of daylight. 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 33