Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions - Updated Edition Visit reports usually include: • generic information about the place visited • factual information about the visit (duration, methodology, objectives) • areas of concern structured thematically, including facts found, observations and analysis • good practices identified (if applicable) • practical recommendations for change. The NHRI can decide to make its visit reports public. In this case, they should be easily accessible and widely disseminated. It is important to ensure that the reports do not disclose confidential information or any information that may result in a risk of harm to the person who provided the information. Visit reports should be drafted considering a gender perspective and a gender-sensitive language. 3.1.3. Thematic reports In addition to their reports on specific visits, NHRIs can also prepare thematic reports that consider specific issues (for instance, medical services, police violence or women deprived of liberty) over a certain period of time and across different types of places of detention. This approach provides a more analytical view that can help identify patterns of problems and highlight contributing factors in different places. They should also include practical recommendations to bring about systemic change. Thematic reports should initially be sent to the relevant authorities for comment and then made public and widely disseminated through the media. Insights from practice: In 2016, the Norwegian Parliamentary Ombudsman, in its capacity as NPM, published a thematic report on the treatment and conditions of women in prison, following a series of visits to high security prisons carried out between 2014 and 2016. The report addresses key issues such as material conditions, security, activities, health services and contact with family117. In 2020, the National Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan conducted investigations in 34 prisons throughout the country to identify existing challenges and to provide the relevant authoritieswith appropriate recommendations to prevent COVID-19 spread in the detention centres. 3.1.4 Drafting good recommendations The quality and usefulness of recommendations developed following visits to places of detention should be assessed against the following ten interrelated and mutually reinforcing criteria (the double SMART model). 117 118 See: https://www.sivilombudsmannen.no/en/news/prevention-torture/body-searches-balancing-security-and-dignity/