e. Stafng issues 119. The custody and care of juveniles deprived of their liberty is a particularly challenging task. It should be taken into account that many of them have sufered physical, sexual or psychological violence. The staf called upon to fulfl this task should be carefully selected for their personal maturity, professional integrity and ability to cope with the challenges of working with – and safeguarding the welfare of – this age group. More particularly, steps should be taken to ensure the regular presence of specialised educators, psychologists and social workers in detention centres for juveniles. They should be committed to working with young people, and be capable of guiding and motivating them. With a view to avoiding a prison-like environment, staf working in direct contact with juveniles should as a rule not carry batons, incapacitating sprays or other means of restraint. The practice observed by the CPT in a number of juvenile detention centres of custodial staf not wearing a prison uniform is to be encouraged. Mixed-sex stafng can have a benefcial efect in terms of the custodial ethos and foster a more caring and relaxed atmosphere. 120. All staf, including those with custodial duties, who are in direct contact with juveniles should receive professional training, both during induction and on an ongoing basis, and beneft from appropriate external support and supervision in the exercise of their duties. Particular attention should be given to staf training in the management of violent incidents, especially in verbal de-escalation to reduce tension and professional restraint techniques. 121. It is the responsibility of the establishments’ administration to take special precautions to protect juveniles from all forms of abuse, including sexual or other kinds of exploitation. Staf members should be alert to signs of bullying (including physical and sexual assault, verbal abuse, extortion, and theft of other juveniles’ belongings) and should know how to respond accordingly and adopt a pro-active attitude to prevent such incidents from occurring. f. Contact with the outside world 122. The active promotion of good contact with the outside world can be especially benefcial for juveniles deprived of their liberty, many of whom may have behavioural problems related to emotional deprivation or a lack of social skills. Every efort should be made to ensure that all juvenile inmates are aforded the possibility to have contact with their families and other persons from the moment they are admitted to the detention centre. The concept of family should be interpreted liberally, so as to include contacts with persons with whom the juvenile has established a relationship comparable to that of a family member, even if the relationship has not been formalised. For the purpose of their social integration, juveniles should as far as possible also be allowed regular periods of leave (either escorted or alone). 123. Juveniles should beneft from a visiting entitlement of more than one hour every week, and they should also be able to receive visits at weekends. Short-term visits should be allowed, as a rule, under open conditions. The CPT has observed in some countries that juveniles are authorised to beneft from long-term unsupervised visits. Except for cases when it is not in the juveniles’ best interests, such an approach is particularly welcome in order to foster Juveniles deprived of their liberty under criminal legislation ► Page 55