HM Inspectorate of Prisons
From SR
Roles
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales is an independent inspectorate which reports on conditions for and treatment of those in prison, young offender institutions and immigration removal centres; promoting the concept of ‘healthy prisons’ in which staff work effectively to support prisoners and detainees to reduce reoffending or achieve other agreed outcomes.
The Prisons Inspectorate also has statutory responsiblility to inspect all immigration removal centres and holding facilities on behalf of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and has recently been invited to regularly inspect the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester. In addition, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is invited to inspect prisons in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and some Commonwealth dependent territories.
Chief Inspector
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is appointed from outside the Prison Service, for a term of five years. The Chief Inspector reports to the government on the treatment and conditions for prisoners in England and Wales and other matters. Ms Anne Owers CBE was appointed HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in August 2001 and is the fifth holder of the office
Outputs
The Inspectorate also publishes thematic reviews, which are studies conducted on specific custodial issues. These reviews are increasingly jointly conducted with other inspectorates - particularly criminal justice inspectorates on wider criminal justice issues.
