21 Tombouctou 25 August 1997 Meeting with Brahima Kone, Commandant de Cercle' The above official explained the administrative structure of Mali up to the regional level as follows: Level Head Village Chief Arrondissement Chief of arrondissement Cercle Commandant Region Governor Prison registrars are appointed by DNAPES on the recommendation of the Commandant of a Cercle. Factors taken into account in the selection of registrars are moral uprightness, dedication to prison work, managerial ability and a balanced disposition especially in relation to prisoners. The registrar is a civilian usually a civil servant of category 8 but in the absence of suitable persons from this grade persons with basic education can be appointed from category C. The Police are responsible for maintenance of law and order in Tombouctou while the Gendarmerie take care of the areas outside Tombouctou. There should be a Committee at the Cercle level to monitor and supervise prison administration. Membership of the Committee is drawn from the judiciary, the Health Services, the administration, and the registrar. Among other things, the Committee is required to pay attention to the conditions of detention and the health of prisoners; and make recommendations on prisoners who should enjoy Presidential pardon. The Committee has not functioned since the Tuareg rebellion. The Registrar now recommends prisoners for pardon or mercy. Thieves and robbers are excluded from pardon or mercy, and they do not, therefore, have any incentive to be of good behaviour in prison. 3 Head of the territorial administration at the «cercle» level.