National Preventive Mechanism Fourth Annual Report 2012–13 NPM member must be respected, as well as their ability to set their own priorities for detention monitoring. The essential requirement of OPCAT – that all places of detention are independently monitored – is fulfilled by individual members of the NPM or by members working in partnership with one another. Detailed findings relating to the treatment of, and conditions for detainees are published in the inspection or annual reports of each NPM member. Political context and policy environment The role and responsibilities of public bodies in the UK to protect the rights of those that fall within their care came repeatedly under the spotlight in 2012 and 2013. The publication of the public inquiry report into standards of care at Mid Staffordshire National Health Service Foundation Trust exposed a series of institutional failings that led to routine neglect of patients and failures to provide safe care5. Similarly, the psychological and physical abuse against people with learning disabilities that occurred at Winterbourne View private hospital came to light, demonstrating the shortcomings of existing accountability mechanisms in protecting the most vulnerable, or ensuring investigation into allegations of abuse6. Both of these shocking cases, although not focused specifically on places of detention, provided lessons for the UK NPM and its individual members. The importance of the UK NPM’s preventive function is underscored by these examples, where monitoring and regulation failed those whose rights should have been protected. In response, the UK NPM has placed greater emphasis on ensuring coverage of all places of detention, as well as focusing its coordinated efforts on issues that have been insufficiently addressed to date. UK-wide measures to limit public spending in 2012–13 have meant that the sectors NPM members inspect or monitor are operating with considerably reduced resources. Most NPM members have also seen their budgets reduce during the 2012–13 period. At the same time, a number of significant legislative developments and policy proposals affecting the sectors covered by the UK NPM have been introduced or are under discussion. In Scotland, the Police and Fire Reform Act radically changes the policing landscape, bringing eight police forces into one. A revised mental health strategy for Scotland brings a number of new commitments, and focuses attention on the rights of those with mental illness. In Wales, a Social Services and Well-being Bill was presented to the National Assembly in January 2013. The bill’s imperative is to give people a stronger voice and real control over the social care services that they use. Regarding criminal justice, proposals for reviewing the organisation of the juvenile and women’s custodial estate in England and Wales, as well as the ‘transformation’ of rehabilitation outcomes, were under discussion. Overall, the total prison population in England and Wales fell from 87,868 at the end of March 2012 to 84,596 at the end of March 2013, a reduction of almost 4%. There was a 4% increase in people entering immigration 5 Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, February 2013. Available at: http://www.midstaffspublicinquiry.com/report 6 http://www.southglos.gov.uk/Pages/Article%20Pages/Community%20Care%20-%20Housing/Older%20and%20 disabled%20people/Winterbourne-View-11204.aspx 12