What are the different modalities of working with external experts?
Different modalities exist with regard to how NPMs select and work with external experts. Independently of how experts are being recruited, it is important that the NPM establishes and publishes clear rules for their remuneration. Experience shows that, to guarantee adequate participation of external experts, it is recommended to remunerate them for the tasks they undertake (visit, report writing, participation in meetings) and at the very least reimburse them for the expenses related to their NPM work (including travel, accommodation and food).
Below is a broad categorisation of some of the existing modalities of NPMs’ work with external experts:
- A pool of individual experts, usually contracted following a public call, and available, as part of the pool, to perform different NPM functions during a specific time period.
- Individual experts recruited on an ad hoc basis to accompany visits (outside of any official pool).
- Individual experts recruited as per an agreement between the NPM and an association or organisation (e.g. professional association, NGO, etc.) but who will be working in their individual capacity
In all instances and whatever the modality of recruitment, it is important for the NPM to ensure proper induction/training of all external experts, adequate participation prior to and after the visits, as well as formal accreditation beforehand with the authorities to ensure external experts’ access to the places of detention.