Home > NEWS > CJI News Archive > 2023 > July - Sept > Introducing Independent Reviews of Progress (IRPs) at Magilligan and Maghaberry Prisons this autumn Introducing Independent Reviews of Progress (IRPs) at Magilligan and Maghaberry Prisons this autumn 15/08/2023 CJI plans to integrate IRPs into Northern Ireland's prison inspection process to offer swifter assurance of progress against inspection concerns and a more adaptable approach to prison assessment. Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJI), work in partnership with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons), the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), and the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI), to conduct prison inspections in Northern Ireland. These inspections fall under CJI’s statutory responsibility and contribute to monitoring places of detention as part of the UK National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), established in response to the United Kingdom's commitment to the Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Full prison inspections in Northern Ireland are typically unannounced. As part of its wider inspection role, CJI may also undertake Follow-Up Reviews, assessing progress against accepted recommendations in inspection reports. These Follow-Up Reviews provide assurance and accountability for the justice system, focusing on implementing positive change. HMI Prisons, after adopting lessons from poor prison inspections in England and Wales, introduced Independent Reviews of Progress (IRPs) to its inspection program in 2019. These IRPs, similar to CJI's Follow-Up Reviews, offer a more flexible and timely approach to evaluating prison progress. CJI plans to integrate IRPs into Northern Ireland's prison inspection process to offer swifter assurance of progress against inspection concerns and a more adaptable approach to prison assessment. IRPs focus on assessing activities that lead to improved outcomes for prisoners, identifying areas of progress, emerging challenges, and evaluating leadership and management responses. This autumn, CJI, HMI Prisons, the RQIA, and the ETI will jointly carry out the first IRPs to further enhance prison monitoring and support the continued drive to deliver positive change within Magilligan and Maghaberry Prisons.