Selected publications 25. In this section, a closer look is taken at some of the visit reports and government responses published during the period covered by the General Report. Report on the periodic visit to Armenia in October 2015 and response of the Armenian authorities (situation of persons held in police custody, prisons and two psychiatric establishments) 26. The CPT’s report notes that the reduced number of allegations received of ill-treatment by police officers suggests some degree of improvement. At the same time, the procedure for recording injuries remains hampered by the fact that medical examinations of persons taken to police detention facilities were routinely performed in the presence of police staff and that the information recorded was incomplete. The proper recording of injuries is an important safeguard against ill-treatment and for combating impunity. The CPT further recalls that legal safeguards against ill-treatment should apply from the very outset of any de facto deprivation of liberty, including when persons are summoned by the police for “informal talks”. The report conveys a generally positive impression of the Special Investigation Service (SIS), but the CPT recommends that it be allocated additional resources to reinforce its operational staff, thereby removing its reliance on local police officers. The CPT further recommends that all complaints about police ill-treatment be promptly forwarded to and processed by the SIS. In its response, the Armenian government describes how police officers are regularly informed that ill-treatment is unacceptable and that they will be sanctioned for any such act. The authorities agree that the period spent by persons “invited” to police establishments for “informal talks” is to be considered as a period in police custody and that all relevant safeguards must accordingly be applicable; this was to be clarified in the revised Code of Criminal Procedure. The response also details the follow-up given to complaints of ill-treatment by police officers, by the police itself, the Prosecutor’s Office and the SIS. 27. In the prisons visited, inmates generally described their relationship with prison staff as unproblematic. However, the CPT expresses its concern regarding the system which unofficially delegates authority to selected prisoners (“watchers”) to exert control over others. While the number of prisoners had decreased overall, overcrowding remained an issue in certain prisons. Apart from the new Armavir Prison, material conditions of detention in the prisons visited were considered inadequate. The report also notes that conditions of detention varied greatly between different cells within the same establishments, leading to unequal access to services and to possible corruption. The CPT concludes that health-care services in prisons are understaffed and poorly equipped. It highlights problems with access to specialised care and a shortage of medication. The CPT also considers that medical screening of prisoners upon admission remains inadequate. General Report of the CPT, 2016 ► Page 16