National Preventive Mechanism 1.5 Procedure of visits The commissions set their agenda for visits on a quarterly basis in coordination with the NPM. In future, results of earlier visits can be immediately downloaded from the new database. The visiting delegations are configured at meetings of the commissions that take place on a regular basis. If the reason for the visit requires it, the commissions can involve external experts as coordinated within the NPM. The observations and findings of the commissions are recorded in a standardised visit report which is divided into five chapters: basic information about the visited institution, findings regarding the visit, findings regarding the monitoring priority, other comments and concluding meetings. Commissions prepare reports Questions regarding the application of security measures or measures restricting a person’s liberty, signs of torture or degrading treatment and health care are particularly relevant to the NPM’s monitoring activities. Supervision and enforcement plans, procedures for forced returns and releasing those detained, staff situation and complaint management are also subject of control. Furthermore the commissions examine location, building structure and infrastructural fixtures and fittings of the institutions, living and residence conditions of the individuals detained, if they are able to establish contact with the outside, if their right to family and privacy is preserved, available training and employment, as well as access to internal information. The visiting delegations record the concluding meeting with the heads of the visited institution or facility or the leader of the police operation in a separate document. This includes any initial impressions and observations gained on site, as well as an agreement, if possible, on how to eliminate shortcomings. These visit reports are routinely made available to the visited institutions and facilities. Concluding meetings The NPM involves the competent ministries and supervisory authorities in case of systemic questions and/or shortcomings at specific institutions and facilities; sometimes, the institutions and facilities themselves are involved as well. Concurrently, the NPM also works in ministerial working groups or working groups with individual Laender. In this context, the NPM would like to stress that authorities and institutions or facilities have mostly been very cooperative and did not give the impression that they were reluctant to implement the necessary measures and improvements. 71