All available information relating to the place to be visited is to be compiled in
the run-up to the visit. This particularly includes the size and significance of the
facility, spotlights of activity, level of occupancy, staff size, indicators related to
detention, etc. The information may originate from public agencies, NGOs or the
press or other third parties. The preliminary information is used to draw up a list
of topics to be used as a particular orientation for the visit. Where possible and
sensible, further appointments should be made with persons outside the facility
(e.g. NGOs, social services, police trade union, monitoring of deportation,
churches, etc.). The appointments may take place both prior to the actual visit
and during or after it.
3.4 Procedure followed during the visit
The collaboration of the Director of the Federal Agency is imperative for a visit. A
visiting plan is drawn up for each visit. This plan contains information on the
preliminary procedure to be followed in the visit (cf. Annex I – Visiting procedure plan) and the contacts with whom talks are to be held.
A visit should as a matter of principle start with a talk with the head of the facility. In this talk, in particular the work of the Federal Agency should be presented
and the objective of the visit should be explained (as should further information
for methods, length of the visit, etc.). Then, a short tour around the facility takes
place so that the visiting team can gain a general impression.
This can be followed by individual discussions, encompassing persons being
detained as well as staff and involved third parties (e.g. locally active NGOs,
church representatives, relatives). The list of questions (Annex II – List of questions) may be used as the basis. Furthermore, the possibility should be taken up
to inspect official documents (cell occupancy sheet, staff duty sheets, etc.).
The visit is to be concluded with a final talk with the head of the facility. This talk
should be used to discuss the further procedure and the use of the information
that has been collected. There is the further possibility to make an initial assessment and to exchange feedback.
No. 4: Follow-up to the visit
4.1 Visit reports
The information collected during the visit shall be kept in a visit report. When
drawing up the report, a report format shall be used which is still to be drafted
(Annex III – Report format). The visit report shall be used for the internal documentation of the visit and shall not be published as a rule.
4.2 Recommendations and follow-up
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