In their response to the preliminary report, the management of Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital stated that buttons of call bells in secure wards had been removed due to the risk they posed to patients (strings) and non-functionality; although they were aware of the importance of call bells. Since there were sufficient staff present on secure wards, the management believed that the response of their medical personnel was prompt. Equipment and arrangement of premises The management of the Unit for Forensic Psychiatry explained that there had been no new developments regarding a (special) room for visitors. Since we determined that the recommendation we made on our visit in 2014 had not been not observed, we repeated it on the occasion of the latest visit. We recommended that all wards of the Unit for Forensic Psychiatry be decorated accordingly, also by installing items made during occupational therapy in a way that is safe for patients. We also suggested that paintings and other items be removed just before the implementation of works (e.g. painting of the ward) and then be reinstalled after the works are completed. In their response to the preliminary report on the visit in 2016, the management of the Department of Psychiatry said that the recommendation had been realised for the most part. “More friendly colours” would be used during the next painting. We recommended that the staff of Idrija Psychiatric Hospital encourage patients to decorate their rooms with creative items made during occupational therapy irrespective of the hospital’s renovation plans. We recommended that patients in Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital in the Centre for the Treatment of Drug Addiction be further encouraged to decorate and personally adjust their rooms, and to allow pictures and posters to be put on walls in a way that does not damage the walls. We also proposed to Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital that walls in the ward for intensive prolonged treatment be painted because they are dirty and covered with graffiti. We repeated the recommendation made on the 2012 visit that Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital should make an effort to make patients’ rooms as homely as possible. Patients’ rooms and communal areas could be decorated with items made by the patients during occupational therapy which do not pose a threat to them. In their response to the preliminary report, the management of Ljubljana University Psychiatric Hospital stated that photo wallpaper would be placed on certain walls in secure wards, which was being bought at the time, while other rooms would be made more pleasant. The management emphasised that excessive decorating of rooms, numerous items, flowers, curtains, tablecloths and other things could pose a general safety risk in certain situations. The hospital had purchased new sofas in all secure wards. We commended the decorating of dining and living rooms, but we also suggested that patients’ rooms, and in particular hallways in Idrija Psychiatric Hospital, be decorated with patients’ items, which have an aesthetic and attractive (optimistic) value. Decorating their living environment is also a visual stimulus for patients, making the place more homely and patient-friendly. In their response to the preliminary report, the management of Idrija Psychiatric Hospital explained that it would examine the possibilities for improving the living environment for patients in intensive units of wards regarding the upgrade of hallway equipment and rooms with items of an attractive and aesthetic value while observing safety aspects. The management would include the NPM comments in the conceptual design project for renovating facilities that would start in 2016 in order to provide a friendlier and better quality living environment and better living standard for persons being treated in wards after the reconstruction of hospital facilities. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE NPM IN 2016 NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM UNDER THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT 79