Our role in the National Preventive Mechanism
What is OPCAT and NPM?
The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) is an international human rights treaty designed to strengthen protection for people deprived of their liberty. It 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.
OPCAT requires that States designate a ‘National Preventive Mechanism’ (NPM) to carry out visits to places of detention, to monitor the treatment of and conditions for detainees and to make recommendations regarding the prevention of ill-treatment.
The UK ratified OPCAT in December 2003 and designated its NPM in March 2009.
The UK NPM focuses efforts on establishing an effective governance structure and raising awareness among its members and key stakeholders, ensuring that all places of detention within the UK are subject to independent monitoring, a service which has expanded to cover court cells, escorts and deportations, medium secure units for children and young people, and ‘non-designated’ police cells.
The UK NPM also addresses specific issues faced by children and young people in detention and a thematic sub-group meets regularly to share information and join up efforts towards preventing ill-treatment of children and young people in detention.
Further information on the work of the UK NPM please visit the NPM website: http://www.nationalpreventivemechanism.org.uk/
What is CJI’s involvement?
The UK’s NPM is currently made up of 21 visiting or inspecting bodies who visit places of detention such as prisons, police custody, immigration detention centres, children’s secure accommodation and mental health institutions.
In Northern Ireland, CJI is one of the four designated independent bodies involved in carrying out this work. Other NPMs operating in Northern Ireland are the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA); the Northern Ireland Policing Board Independent Custody Visiting Scheme (NIPBICVS) and the Independent Monitoring Boards for Northern Ireland (IMBs).
Inspection work undertaken in relation to the prisons in Northern Ireland, the transportation of prisoners and other detained individuals, police and Court custody facilities and juvenile justice centre specifically relates to CJI's NPM function.
This work is undertaken by permanent CJI staff or individuals/ organisations working in partnership with the Inspectorate. CJI does not use interns or secondees to the organisation to conduct this work.
In August 2015, CJI signed a protocol with the Independent Monitoring Boards and the Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland to clearly establish how the organisations would work together.
The protocol is designed to protect any prisoner/detainee from sanctions or other prejudice arising from their, or someone acting on their behalf’s, communication with either party and to provide reassurance that they can freely communicate with CJI, the IMBs and the Prisoner Ombudsman without fear of sanctions or other prejudice.
To view a copy of the joint protocol please follow the link.
What other agencies are involved?
Care inspectorate
Care Quaity Commission
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales
Childrens Commissioner for England
Healthcare Inspectorate Wales
His Majesty's Inspectorate pf Constabulary
His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland
Independent Custody Visiting Association
Independent Custody Visitors Scotland
Independent Monitoring Board
Independent Montoring Board Northern Ireland
Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation
Lay Observers
Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
Northern Ireland Policing Board Independent Custody Visiting Scheme
OFSTED
Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
Scottish Human Rights Commission