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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 1986
PERHAPS THE BEST KNOWN FUNCTION OF THE JP'S CONCERNS INSPECTION VISITS THEY MAKE TO ESTABLISHMENTS SUCH AS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, HOSPITALS, INCLUDING MENTAL HOSPITALS, REFORMATORY HOMES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES.
THE VISITS ARE MADE BY TEAMS OF TWO JP'S - ONE UNOFFICIAL AND ONE OFFICIAL.
THE AIM OF THE VISITS IS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE THEIR RIGHTS SAFEGUARDED THROUGH REGULAR VISITS BY INDEPENDENT PEOPLE OF STANDING IN THE COMMUNITY.
DURING A VISIT, THE JP'S ARE BRIEFED BY THE OFFICER OR PERSON IN CHARGE, AND INMATES OR PATIENTS MAY SPEAK TO THEM, OR MAKE A WRITTEN SUBMISSION.
THE JP'S CAN REPORT ON ANY COMPLAINTS THEY RECEIVE AND ON ANY OBSERVATIONS THEY MAY MAKE CONCERNING CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES AT AN INSTITUTION.
PRISONERS MAY COMPLAIN OF THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY ARE HELD MENTAL HOSPITAL PATIENTS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE REASONS FOR THE IR DETENTION. THE JP'S MAY MAKE OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE FREQUENCY OF VISITS EACH INMATE IS ALLOWED OR THE PHYSICAL STATE OF THE INSTITUTION.
THESE REPORTS ARE SEEN BY SENIOR OFFICERS IN THE GOVERNMENT, AND ACTED UPON.
THE JP'S ARE, IN TURN, ADVISED OF WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. IF NO ACTION IS CONSIDERED NECESSARY, THE REASON FOR THIS MUST BE EXPLAINED TO THE JP'S. SHOULD A JP BE DISSATISFIED WITH THE ACTION TAKEN HE IS ABLE TO TAKE THE MATTER FURTHER.
+THESE VISITS ARE REGARDED AS AN EFFECTIVE AND INDEPENDENT CHECK OF THE CONDUCT OF THESE INSTITUTIONS, + SAID THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR ARRANGING THE VISITS, MR GEOFFREY WOODHEAD.
VISITS TO MANY OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, SUCH AS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ARE A STATUTORY DUTY, AND ARE MADE REGULARLY.
CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, ARE VISITED EITHER BI-MONTHLY OR MONTHLY, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF INSTITUTION,
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, WHICH HAS ITS OWN DETENTION FACILITIES, IS ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT TO WHICH UP'S MAKE STATUTORY INSPECTION VISITS.
IN ADDITION, JP'S REGULARLY VISIT CLOSED CENTRES FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
THERE IS NO PRIOR ADVICE OF THE EXACT TIME THAT A VISIT IS TO BE MADE TO A PARTICULAR ESTABLISHMENT.
/+HE TRY