Part II: Preventing torture: NHRIs in action This discussion is an important first step in establishing a constructive dialogue with the authorities. It also provides an opportunity to: • introduce the mandate of the NHRI and the visiting team • explain the objectives of the visit • explain the working method for the visit, in particular the need to hold interviews in private with selected detainees • explain how information collected during the visit will be used • ask for recent and specific information • ask the person in charge of the facility for their opinion about the challenges they encounter in their work and possible solutions. 2.3 Tour of the premises After the initial conversation with the authorities, the visiting team should undertake a general tour of the premises. A short introductory tour of the entire facility helps to provide a sense of the overall design and layout of the centre, as well as the location of different facilities used by the detainees and those areas where there are increased risks of torture and ill-treatment (including solitary confinement cells, disciplinary cells, screening areas). It also enables the visiting team to gain a first impression of the atmosphere of the place. Following the general tour, the visiting team can break into smaller groups to more thoroughly monitor specific areas of the place, such as the kitchen, the infirmary, disciplinary cells, dormitories and sanitary facilities. 2.4 Consultation of registers One or more members of the team should consult the registers and other documents held on file. This consultation can be useful at the beginning of the visit, as information obtained from the registers and other documents can be verified during the course of the visit and during interviews with detainees. The monitoring team can also go back and check registers during the course of the visit, to crosscheck information obtained during interviews with persons deprived of liberty, authorities or others. There are a number of different registers kept in places of detention but, in the context of preventing torture and ill-treatment, registers of incidents, registers of disciplinary measures, complaints, medical files and custody records (in case of monitoring police custody) are of particular importance. Other documents – such as internal rules, staff lists and working schedules – are also important and provide an understanding of how the centre functions. 2.5 Interviewing persons deprived of liberty The most important part of any visit is the time spent talking in private with persons deprived of liberty and hearing directly about their treatment and their experience of the conditions in detention. The interview process is a delicate and sensitive exercise which aims to establish a relationship of trust between the interviewer and the person deprived of liberty (see chapter 5 for more information on preparing for and conducting interviews). It requires specific skills and training. When considering selection strategies for interviewing persons deprived of liberty, and when conducting interviews, the monitoring team should ensure they do everything they can to prevent any possible harm and reprisals. The visiting team, and not the authorities, must select the detainees who will be interviewed. Ideally, in order to have a representative sample of detainees in the centre, a significant number of interviews should be conducted (for example, 10 per cent of all detainees). The visiting team may decide to select a random sample of detainees based on the register (for example, every tenth person listed). Alternatively, the team might decide to select a representative 115