NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM AGAINST TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT 2019 detention facility of Agios Stephanos and subsequently in the University Hospital of Patras, just because the latter belongs to a different healthcare district. Instead, detainees are transferred to the detention facility in Larissa and subsequently to the University Hospital of Larissa because it belongs to the same healthcare district as Fokida. The delay may become even greater because of infrequent police transfer itineraries. Loss of precious time may be fatal, as in the case of the detainee who lost his life during his transfer to a dental surgeon in February 2018. The problem had been identified by prison administrations of Malandrino and Larissa, the former because it put its detainees at risk and the latter because it was burdened with transfers that could had been avoided. 2.c. Inspections in detention facilities 2.c.1 Inspection methodology Each year, the inspection methodology is complemented and revised based on the in-house assessment of past activities but also on the know-how acquired from training and exchange of expertise at an international level and in compliance with international standards and practices. In 2019, the inspection methodology had no substantial differences from that of the previous year: a. NPM inspection teams with at least three senior in-house investigators visited detention facilities without prior notice. Visits took place preferably during working morning hours in order to ensure that all officers were present. Visits lasted at least five hours depending upon the size of the facility and occasionally for two consecutive days. First, the team met with the administration, the head sergeant and the existing scientific personnel (social services, psychologists, physicians, etc) in order to get a first impression of the detention conditions and identify problems, shortcomings, malfunctions but also good practices according to the staff's assessments. b. The team then visited the premises – either en bloc or in sub-groupsaccompanied by administration representatives and it interviewed detainees preferably individually or in groups. During the time of the interviews prison guards had to remain outside the ward or cell if they were asked to do so. Apart from group interviews with detainees, the team tried to conduct individual interviews in a private room. Furthermore, NPM teams followed activities that took place in prison schools and interacted with teachers and students. The detainees were informed about the competencies of the Ombudsman, the National Preventive Mechanism 26