CAT/OP/BRA/1 the SPT recent wounds from these beatings. This type of treatment was sometimes imposed with the participation of other staff, or even institution directors. The SPT received frequent allegations that acts of torture and other inhumane treatment were inflicted on children and adolescents in rooms or spaces hidden from existing video cameras. 147. Regarding centres for girls, the SPT was concerned that in one centre, a silent mode system was imposed on newcomers during the first 24 hours in the centre, and as a form of punishment. 148. The SPT considers the above allegations to be examples of physical or mental torture and ill-treatment, which are even more preoccupying given the young age of the victims. In light of the consistency of the allegations received, the SPT considers that torture, ill-treatment and other forms of abuse were practiced in most of the centres for children and adolescents visited. 149. The SPT reiterates its categorical condemnation of all acts of torture and illtreatment. The SPT recalls that children deprived of their liberty shall be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child's sense of dignity and worth, reinforcing the child's respect for the human rights of others and taking into account the child’s age and desirability of their reintegration in society.50 The SPT requests to be provided with information on any plan of action devised to eradicate torture and ill-treatment in institutions for children and adolescents. 150. The use of “tropa de choque” shall be limited to exceptional cases and authorized by the highest state authority concerned, according to established and clear criteria. Reporting on each operation and periodic external oversight shall be mandatory. D. Other institutions 1. Roberto Medeiros Centre for Treatment of Drug Addiction, Rio de Janeiro 151. This facility offered no particular psychiatric or psychological treatment for drug addiction, except for high doses of psychotropic medication given to 95 per cent of the patients. Individuals held under security measures (“medidas de segurança”) ordered by a judge were kept for indefinite periods with no prospect of treatment or project of rehabilitation or reintegration into society. 152. The SPT recommends that security measures for persons admitted to this type of institution be periodically reviewed by judicial authorities, who should regularly assess the need for involuntary admission based on expert medical advice. Outpatient alternatives to involuntary admission should always be explored and ordered, if appropriate.51 153. The infrastructure and treatment received by the patients was that of a prison rather than a hospital, as evidenced by the architecture of this facility and by the fact that patients had to keep their heads down and their hands behind their backs when walking through the facility and when talking to staff. The mental health team was understaffed, poorly paid, demotivated and subject to the authority of prison guards. Staff had no specific expertise on treatment of drug addicts and a real detoxification therapy was not taking place. In the view of the SPT, the aim of this institution was punitive rather than therapeutic. 50 51 24 Convention on the Rights of the Child, arts. 37 and 40. Principles for the protection of persons with mental illness and the improvement of mental health care, adopted by General Assembly resolution 46/119, and Inter-American Principles, principle III.3.