HMIP Scrutiny Visits Changes

HM Inspector of Prisons carries out an important role in ensuring that the level of service and support given by each prison meets a minimum standard, and serves to highlight weaknesses and failings within the entire prison system. It is a non political body, so in theory its reports are “even handed”, and based on fact not opinions or prejudices.

The Inspectorate has various types of inspections and reports, the most notable is the “Urgent Notification Process”  where the Inspectors write to the Secretary of State raising major concerns about a specific prison. These letters, which are in the public domain, require the Government to respond within 28 days with a plan of action to remedy the issues identified by the Inspectors.

The usual timetable is that each prison is visited every 2-3 years, with the “high risk” establishments such as YOI being inspected more frequently (annually). A normal inspections lasts  over a week, and is a major event in the life of a prison, taking a significant effort from the prison staff to meet the demands of the Inspectorate Team; governors and senior prison managers careers can turn on the outcomes.

In the present CV19 environment a normal prison inspection would be neither possible or prudent. The inspectorate has therefore announced  on 30th July 2020 that it will launch “Scrutiny Visits”, which will focus on individual establishments, unlike “Short Scrutiny Visits” (!), which involved 2 or more establishments which share a similar profile.

To read any scrutiny visit report go the individual prison pages and follow the links from the “Inspections” page.

You don't always get what you are entitled to unless you ask properly!

We can introduce you to  experienced  lawyers can help you with parole,  probation,  immigration, adjudications, visits and any other complaints  and disputes you have with the Prison Service.

The solicitors are all experts on how the Prison Service/Criminal Law  system works and will be able to provide to you the necessary advice and support to ensure you or your loved ones are treated fairly. These lawyers are "small enough to care about you, but big enough to fight for you"

and remember the old saying:

" A Man Who Is His Own Lawyer Has A Fool for a Client"

Click here to go to the list of lawyers in your area