Places visited by the National Preventive Mechanism in 2011 Juveniles admitted to the visited establishments were informed about the binding rules in place. They stated that they had a good knowledge about their rights and obligations in the establishments. The NPM found a special guide to JDT in Zawiercie, addressed to juveniles and their parents, and written in a simple and friendly language, to be a commendable initiative which should be taken up also by other establishments. The information in the guide concern mainly the functioning of the establishment, rights and obligations of juveniles, rewards and disciplinary measures, rules governing the visits, telephone numbers to important institutions, etc. The guide was drawn up by the “Żyć na nowo” [New Life] Foundation operating at the establishment, with the participation of the staff and the juveniles. The NPM believes that staying in such establishments is stressful for juveniles and raises their concerns about the future. During the first few days after admission, the juveniles should be thoroughly familiarized with the nature of the establishment. A negative attitude of juveniles at the beginning of their stay may result in reluctance to talk with the personnel. Therefore, the above-mentioned guide seems to be the best solution in such situations. In one of the juvenile shelters, the NPM recommended drawing up a guide for juveniles, which would describe their rights and obligations (JS in Dominów). A specimen guide is available at the website of the Ministry of Justice. The director of the establishment informed the NPM that the recommendation had been implemented. The National Preventive Mechanism verified each time whether the list of persons and institutions to which the juveniles may apply in cases concerning the regulations and rules in place at the centre/shelter, is available in the establishments. No such information was available in Juvenile Detention Centre in Świecie, nor in Juvenile Detention Centre and Juvenile Shelter in Konstantynów Łódzki, whereas in Juvenile Shelter in Dominów made available only the list of persons and institutions of appeal. The director of the establishment in Świecie explained that rights and obligations, as well as the list of institutions to which juveniles can apply, are displayed in the tutors’ rooms and in the psychologist’s room. However, in the opinion of the NPM, the addresses of institutions protecting human rights should be displayed in a place the access to which does not dependend upon consent of third persons. On 6 May 2011, the Defender addressed205 the Minister of Justice asking for a guide for juveniles in juvenile detention centres and in juvenile shelters to be developed, which would contain information about the legal status of juveniles, their rights and obligations, as well as the institutions to which juveniles may apply if their rights are violated. In the reply of 7 June 2011, the Minister of Justice informed that actions taken to publish a special brochure for all juvenile establishments had not brought the expected results due to the lack of funds. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice published on its website examples of guides for juveniles drawn up at Juvenile Detention Centre and Juvenile Shelter in Racibórz. 205  RPO-603898-VII-09. 113