Implementation of Duties and Powers of the National Preventive Mechanism in 2010 On the day of our visit, there were 18 detainees in the Centre. The Head assessed that there were usually around 30, which is still considerably below the official capacity of the Centre, i.e. 220 aliens. It should be noted that due to several years of under-occupancy, the current actual capacity of the Centre is slightly below the official one, since some accommodation rooms were rearranged and are now used for other useful purposes (for example, a children’s playroom was arranged). In 2009, a total of 408 people were newly accommodated in CT, which is the lowest number in the last decade, which was characterised by a constant decrease in the number of aliens every year (with the exception of 2005). By the end of May 2010, 145 people were newly accommodated in CT. Individual sections were also considerably under-occupied. In the male section, with an official capacity of 66 places, 14 people were accommodated (four in one room, three in two rooms and two in two rooms, one of them was on a permitted leave). In the section for vulnerable groups, with an official capacity of 72, only four people were accommodated, two in two rooms. The sections for more stringent police control and for unaccompanied minors (the first with official 48 and the other with 24 official available places) were unoccupied. While examining the rooms, the Head explained that unaccompanied minors had for some time been accommodated in the section for vulnerable groups and not in the section intended for them. One of the reasons was also their wish to be more among other people. In this respect, the department for vulnerable groups, in which children, the elderly, women and families are accommodated, is a suitable solution; while the male section and the section for more stringent police control are not. There were also no residents in the reception rooms or the isolation room. In the present situation, it would be possible to accommodate each person in his or her own room, but the Head explained that the issue of safety precluded this; nevertheless, they seek to ensure that none of the rooms has six occupants. The DPM welcomed this arrangement by the Centre, as the lower number of the people in each room allows them to feel less cramped. The Head explained that a total of 57 persons were employed in CT. Among them are two administrators, four nurses, five social workers (one of them on maternity leave), seven logistics workers, five inspectors conducting procedures with residents, 26 police officers and the Head with two Assistants. He adjudged the staff level sufficient, and that the Jesuit Refugee Service regularly involved in work with the residents is also helpful. We also found that employees have the opportunity for professional education in organised courses (such as first aid refresher course, seminary on posttraumatic stress disorder and similar), or elsewhere if possible (recently, two of the social workers had attended workshops on manual skills). This applies both to uniformed employees of the police and social and health care workers, since well-qualified employees and exchange of experience and good practices in all areas are always welcome. The DPM welcomes this approach by the management. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) has already emphasised that the personnel at centres for aliens deprived of liberty have a particularly demanding task and must therefore be carefully selected and adequately educated and qualified, especially to recognise potential symptoms of stressful reaction among detainees. The personnel must be skilled in interpersonal communication and have knowledge of different cultures, and at least some of them should speak foreign languages. The situation as we describe it in CT is a good starting point both in terms of living conditions and work with detainees, although the funding is not sufficient for all activities. As the main innovation, the Head highlighted cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) established at the initiative of CT. This is a programme of aid for return and integration in the country of origin for those who want to return home. Under this programme, IOM is qualified to provide those interested with two options. The first is to help the alien to return, especially by providing them with relevant, concrete information, travel costs and funds for travel and, if necessary, with an escort for the journey. The other option is aimed at helping the person reintegrate in the country of origin. In this case, they receive pocket money National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Slovenia under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 41