HM Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales (HMI Prisons) is an independent inspectorate led by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. We provide independent scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees and report on our findings.

We inspect prisons, young offender institutions (YOIs), secure training centres (STCs), immigration removal centres (IRCs), police and court custody suites, customs custody facilities and military detention.

Our inspections are guided by the idea of ‘healthy establishments’, in which staff support prisoners and detainees to reduce reoffending and achieve positive outcomes for themselves and the public. In our reports, we include recommendations on how establishments can improve outcomes for prisoners.

Our work forms part of the UK’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture (OPCAT). OPCAT requires member states to regularly and independently inspect places of detention.

We also work with other criminal justice inspectorates.