1. Operation of the NPM 1. Operation of the National Preventive Mechanism In 2012 the activities of the National Preventive Mechanisms were performed by the Team VII of the Office of the Human Rights Defender comprising 12 employees on 11 full-time equivalents.4 The NPM Team visits all types of places of detention referred to in Article 4 of the OPCAT. The personnel of the Offices of Local Representatives of the Human Rights Defender in Gdańsk, Wrocław and Katowice also participated in the visits. From February 2012, the visiting teams have consisted also of external experts: psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.5 2. Financing Pursuant to Article 18(3) of the OPCAT, the States Parties undertake to make available the necessary resources for the functioning of the national preventive mechanisms. The expenditure for the activities of the National Preventive Mechanism is covered by the budget of the Human Rights Defender. In 2012, the budget of the Human Rights Defender amounted to PLN 38.019 million, of which PLN 1.629 million were allocated for the activities of the Team of the National Preventive Mechanism. The experience proves that the visits under the National Preventive Mechanism are important for prevention and should be intensified. However, this will only be possible when sufficient financial and human resources appropriate for the tasks are allocated for the activities of the National Preventive Mechanism. As in the previous years, also in 2012 the financing allocated for the activities of the National Preventive Mechanism was insufficient to implement the tasks of the NPM defined by the OPCAT. As of 31 December 2012. The list of experts along with their biographical notes, see Part II, point 10. 4 5 9