Part II: Preventing torture: NHRIs in action 1.4.1. Defining the objective of the visit The purpose of the visit should be defined beforehand, as it has an impact on the length, methodology and team composition. During an in-depth visit to a place of deprivation of liberty, the goal of the NHRI should be to gain an understanding as comprehensive as possible of the place visited, the conditions of detention and the treatment of detainees in the facility. The objective of thematic visits is to look only at specific issues in a particular place of detention, across a series of similar facilities or different types of detention settings, such as the complaint system, the disciplinary procedures, medical care or violence between prisoners. NHRIs may also carry out follow-up visits to ascertain if recommendations made on previous occasions have been implemented. 1.4.2. Establishing the visiting team and organizing the work In setting up the monitoring team, NHRIs should consider: • the type of expertise needed, based on the objectives of the visit and the type of facility being visited (participation of a medical doctor is often useful). For example, if one of the objectives is to analyse the provision of medical treatment for women in prison, the presence of a woman doctor will be important • gender balance and diversity within the team, including interpreters and doctors • the size of the visiting team (generally between two and eight persons) • identifying a team leader • the division of tasks between team members and ensuring each person understands their specific responsibilities during the course of the visit. 1.4.3. Research and documentation Before a visit, the monitoring team should seek to: • map out all the relevant legislation, policies and regulations, including those impacting persons in situations of vulnerability such as women and LGBTI persons • know the relevant universal and regional standards • request documentation about the place (capacity, hierarchy, registers, sex, gender and age disaggregated data, etc.) • compile and review all available information about the particular place of detention, including reports from other monitoring bodies, civil society organisations, media, associations of family members of detainees; and • the number and type of complaints received by the NHRI or other complaint handling bodies (the absence of complaints can also be revealing). It is important to make sure that all team members share and review this information before undertaking the visit. 1.4.4. Establishing prior contacts Before the visit, the NHRI should consider contacting other groups or individuals who have information to share about the particular place of detention, such as civil society organisations, family members of detainees, lawyers and those released from detention. The NHRI may also choose to announce a visit in advance. While NHRIs are mandated to carry out unannounced visits to places of detention, there are some situations where announcing a visit in advance may be beneficial (for example, to ensure the presence of the prison director and to gather information on the place in advance). 113