When should NPMs develop their first strategic and operational plan?

When and what type of strategic and operational plan is needed will depend on the model and stage of institutional development of each NPM.

For new NPMs it might be difficult to develop a comprehensive strategic plan immediately after establishment. Time is likely to be required for the new institution to map the place of deprivation of liberty that fall within its mandate, as well as to do the research and consultations required to understand where the risks of torture and ill-treatment are to be found, and thus where the NPM should focus its attention.

It might be useful in such cases for the NPM to first adopt a preliminary plan for its first period of operation, covering between 12 to 18 months. The following aspects could be included: the first visits it plans to do, any training and capacity building, and publication of the first annual report. Within this preliminary period, the NPM can then set aside time to develop a more comprehensive strategy, based on the steps outlined above. This kind of preliminary plan should make sure to include sufficient time for institutional development and staff training.

For NPMs that form part of larger institutions, such as ombuds institutions or national human rights commissions, it might be necessary to develop a shorter initial plan, particularly in cases where the NPM is set up in the middle of an existing strategic plan. This initial plan can then later be replaced by a more comprehensive and longer-term plan that is properly integrated into the overall institution’s planning process, once the current cycle comes to an end.