2.3.3. STAFF TRAINING Training was held for the members of the Special Preventive Group within the framework of a joint program of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Human rights in prisons and other closed institutions” in report-writing. The training aimed at increasing the National Preventive Mechanism effectiveness through improving the reporting skills. On April 15-17, 2016, training was held for members of the Special Preventive Group within the framework of the EU project “Support to the Public Defender II”. The topic of the training was working methodology of the National Preventive Mechanism. The training was aimed at raising professional skills of members of the Special Preventive Group. On May 7-8, 2016 training was held for the members of the Special Preventive Group within the framework of the EU project “Support to the Public Defender II” on documenting bodily injuries. The aim of the training was to review international standards and practices of documenting bodily injuries. The training was led by the member of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, expert Djordje Alempijevic. On July 7-9 and October 28-30, 2016, with the financial support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, training has held for the Special Preventive Group on the issues related to the forensics photography. On November 3-5, 2016, under the Council of Europe Project, training was held for the staff of the Public Defender’s Office and members of the Special Preventive Group. The topic of the training was: “Monitoring mental health issues in the penitentiary institutions.” On November 14, 2016, training was held for members of the Public Defender’s Special Preventive Group on the right to health in the penitentiary facilities. 3. SITUATION IN THE PENITENTIARY ESTABLISHMENTS 3.1. GENERAL OVERVIEW According to the report prepared by the Council of Europe, on 1 September 2015, the total number of inmates in Georgia was 10,242, including 54 minors. This means that prison population rate per 100, 000 inhabitants amounted to 274.15 It is noteworthy that these figures are higher in comparison to the situation of penal institutions of Georgia on 1 September 2014 (227 prison population rate per 100,000 inhabitants).16 According 15 16 Council of Europe, Annual Penal Statistics, SPACE I– Prison Populations, Survey 2015, available in English at: http://wp.unil.ch/space/files/2017/03/SPACE_I_2015_Report_170314.pdf [Last visited on 20.03.2017]. Council of Europe, Annual Penal Statistics, SPACE I– Prison Populations, Survey 2014, available in English at: http://wp.unil.ch/space/files/2016/05/SPACE-I-2014-Report_final.1.pdf [Last visited on 20.03.2017]. NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM (NPM), 2016 13