Places visited by the National Preventive Mechanism in 2011 focus on prophylactic and motivational conversations with the patients. The Mechanism was informed in a written response that the recommendation was being implemented. The National Preventive Mechanism recommended to: • Ensure appropriate staffing, including employing a psychologist/therapist. 2.7. Social care centres In 2011, the representatives of the National Preventive Mechanism carried out visits to social care centres in Zakrzewo and Gołuszyce. Unlike in 2010, when the Mazowieckie Voivode expressed doubts as to the legal basis for visits by the Human Rights Defender acting in the capacity of the National Preventive Mechanism216, this year there no such reservations were voiced. Both centres house persons with chronical mental diseases. The establishment in Zakrzew is a facility for both men and women, the one in Gołuszyce – only for men. a) Treatment of residents The relations between the staff and the residents of both establishments should be assessed as proper. Both, the directors and members of the Staff, were well aware of the needs and preferences of their residents. When addressing the residents, the proper polite form (Mr./Ms) was used, except for cases when both parties agreed to use a more colloquial form of address. None of the residents at SCC in Zakrzew complained about any improper behaviour of the staff, whereas residents of SCC in Gołuszyce raised some complaints related to the practice of hitting the residents on their heads, pulling them by their clothes or insulting them verbally. The management of this establishment was recommended to monitor the issue. In the Centre in Gołuszyce, the residents pointed out that they had to clean their rooms, sanitary facilities and corridors themselves. When analysing this issue, the visiting team viewed the monitoring recordings which showed a resident cleaning staircases and smoking rooms in one of the buildings. The director of the establishment was reminded that cleaning services should be provided by the facility and residents should not be engaged in the process. In his response, the director explained that residents cleaned the premises out of good will without being forced to do so. According to the National Preventive Mechanism, due to the fact that persons placed in an SCC may have problems with making conscious decisions and with expressing their will, it would be reasonable to draft general guidelines, specifying the rules for carrying out such activities. The National Preventive Mechanism recommended: • To monitor all cases of improper treatment the staff which are reported by residents, • Clean the premises without engaging the residents in these activities. 216  Hereinafter referred to as: “NPM” or “Mechanism.” 123