This book provides a clear and comprehensive insight into the valuable work carried out by one of the Council's highly influential yet - of necessity given the confidentiality rule which applies to it - rather self-effacing, non-judicial mechanism. Since its inception in 1989, specialist members of the committee (doctors, lawyers, etc.) have visited places of detention, prisons and psychiatric hospitals throughout Europe to monitor the living conditions (hygiene, provision of food and drink, health care, etc.) of those being detained. Following these visits the committee publishes reports suggesting improvements and laying down standards.
Of interest to all those who actively wish to prevent torture and ill-treatment, in particular NGO workers, legal practitioners, officials (police officers, penal administrators, immigration personnel, psychiatric hospital directors, etc.) and human rights campaigners, this publication will provide a fascinating insight into a relatively secret institution, as well as an up-to-date account of the standards which have been developed. The authors, Rod Morgan and Malcolm Evans, Professor of Criminal Justice and Professor of International Law at Bristol University (UK) respectively, are leading experts in this field.