National Preventive Mechanism Eleventh Annual Report 2019–20 The Commission on Justice in Wales released its landmark report, Justice in Wales for the People of Wales, in October 2019. The Commission recommended full legislative devolution for the justice system. The report argued that guidance for the inspection of police, prisons and probation services should be determined in Wales. The report concluded that the people of Wales are being let down by the system in its current state, and that they do not have the benefit which the people of Scotland, Northern Ireland and England have of justice being an integral part of overall policy making, particularly those which are already devolved to Wales such as health, education and social welfare.15 The Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 received Royal Assent on 12 February 2019. The IRTL, Jonathan Hall QC, noted in his latest Annual Report (published in March 2020) that this is a major piece of updating legislation, amending both Terrorism Acts (2000 and 2006), which were introduced in the immediate aftermath of the London Bridge attack of 2017.16 Some detention-related provisions in the 2019 Act include increasing the maximum penalty for certain preparatory terrorism offences to 15 years imprisonment. 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 The Counter‑Terrorism and Border Security Act also suspends the detention clock for those arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 where they are admitted to hospital.17 Towards the end of the reporting period, the COVID-19 pandemic began to significantly impact both detention settings and the scrutiny practices of NPM members. The Coronavirus Act 2020 received Royal Assent in the UK Parliament on 25 March 2020.18 Following this, various regulations were passed which implemented lockdown rules. The Act made temporary changes to the way in which local authorities provide care and support and to mental health legislation, although the latter were never put into practice and as of September 2020 were agreed to be withdrawn.19 The Act also encouraged the use of video technology in court hearings. Prison regimes were severely restricted and social visits were stopped temporarily.20 In late March, fears around safety and well‑being during the pandemic, particularly for those in prisons and immigration detention, led to calls from civil society for the release of large numbers of The Commission on Justice in Wales, October 2019, Commission on Justice in Wales report, https://gov.wales/commissionjustice-wales-report, [accessed 24/08/2020] The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, The Terrorism Acts in 2018, https://terrorismlegislationreviewer. independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Terrorism-Acts-in-2018-Report-1.pdf [accessed 10/11/2020] UK Government, February 2019, Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ ukpga/2019/3/section/18/enacted, [accessed 01/12/2020] UK Government, March 2020, Coronavirus Act 2020, https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/coronavirus.html, [accessed 24/08/2020] Hansard, 30 September 2020, Volume 681, col 393; Coronavirus Act 2020 (Review of Temporary Provisions) In England and Wales The Prison and Young Offender Institution (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 came into force 6 April 2020, available: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/400/introduction/made [accessed 07/08/2020]. In Scotland The Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Amendment Rules 2020 came into force on 15 June 2020, available: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/175/introduction/made [accessed 07/08/2020]. In Northern Ireland, The Social Security (Coronavirus) (Prisoners) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 came into force 8 April 2020, available: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2020/63/introduction/made [accessed 07/08/2020].