This guide addresses any person or body entitled to monitor and carry out visits to places of detention at the national level. As mentioned above, primary users will be members of mechanisms set up or designated as “national preventive mechanisms” under the OPCAT. The guide, however, is not limited to these bodies, but has a broader use as a tool for other persons or institutions entitled to monitor places of detention in their country. It is addressed to bodies that already have obtained access to places of detention through their mandate or through specific agreement. Therefore, the issue of obtaining access to places of detention is not covered.
