HMI Prisons has been a member of the UK National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) since 2009. All 21 member bodies of the UK NPM visit or inspect places of detention such as prisons, police custody, immigration removal centres, children’s secure accommodation and mental health institutions.

The UK NPM was designated in 2009 in response to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) international human rights treaty, which is designed to strengthen protection for people deprived of their liberty. OPCAT recognises that such people are particularly vulnerable and aims to prevent their ill-treatment through establishing a system of visits or inspections to all places of detention.

In addition to being a member, HMI Prisons coordinates the activities of the NPM. This means that its Secretariat (comprising three members of staff) is based in HMI Prisons’ offices and is able to access resources and support from us.

The NPM publishes annual reports, correspondence with governments and international human rights bodies and undertakes thematic projects on preventing ill-treatment.

For more information, visit the NPM website.