The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) publishes a factsheet on immigration detention to present its standards based on hundreds of visits to places of immigration detention. In particular, the CPT’s standards concern:

• Detention as a last resort
• Safeguards during detention
• Suitable premises
• Adequate material conditions for longer stays (over 24 hours)
• Open regime
• Qualified staff
• Procedures for discipline, segregation and means of restraint
• Effective monitoring and complaints mechanisms
• Adequate health care
• Care of vulnerable persons (in particular children)