National Preventive Mechanism Ninth Annual Report 2017–18 on the visits they received and efforts to resettle them.7 In Northern Ireland, a joint inspection of Magilligan Prison by CJINI, HMI Prisons and RQIA found progress had been made in many areas, most significantly in improving the opportunities for prisoners to improve their skills, employability and self-confidence, and in the provision of mental health care. However, there were still concerns over the lack of an integrated drugs and alcohol strategy. A joint inspection of Maghaberry Prison and regular monitoring visits found that progress had been made in stabilising the prison and that there was a greater focus on improving outcomes for prisoners. However, shortcomings were found in the care and support provided to the most vulnerable prisoners, including that recommendations from critical reports into deaths in custody and serious self-harm at the prison were not being effectively implemented. The Monitoring Board remained concerned at the number of men held in segregation without a clear strategy for their return to normal location.8 In Scotland, HMIPS reported that outcomes for prisoners were generally satisfactory, and benefits had begun to be seen from the introduction of personal officers and throughcare support officers. HMIPS was particularly encouraged to see improvements being implemented as establishments responded positively to the observations and findings of Independent Prison Monitors. HMIPS welcomed government plans to replace HMP Inverness and HMP Greenock (two of the oldest prisons in Scotland) and continued progress towards the development of Community Custody Units for women, which will allow women to serve their sentence closer to their home and family. However, HMIPS also noted some concerns throughout the year. There were insufficient places on treatment programmes to address identified offending behaviour and a consequent inability for some prisoners to progress. The health care picture was varied, with a range of concerns highlighted by HMIPS, including staffing levels, variations in prescribing processes, and a disturbing rise in instances of use of new psychoactive substances (NPS)9 with a detrimental effect on health care staff resources.10 It is hoped that the Health and Justice Collaboration Board, established by the Scottish Government to focus on improving prisoner health care, will help to address the perceived health and social care concerns within Scotland’s prisons. HMIPS also raised concerns about the conditions for those on remand due to the inequality of access to 7 For detailed information about particular inspections, see https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/ inspections/, and for monitoring reports, see the annual reports of each Board, which can be found at https://www.imb. org.uk. HMI Prisons provides a summary of its findings each year in its annual report, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales, Annual Report 2017–18, July 2018 https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/ uploads/sites/4/2018/07/6.4472_HMI-Prisons_AR-2017-18_Content_A4_Final_WEB.pdf. All websites accessed 8 August 2018. 8 The relevant inspection reports can be found at http://www.cjini.org/TheInspections/Inspection-Reports, accessed 19 November 2018. 9 Drugs such as ‘Spice’ that are developed or chosen to mimic the effects of illegal drugs such as cannabis, heroin or amphetamines and which may have unpredictable and life-threatening effects. 10 Full details of inspection findings can be found at https://www.prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk, accessed 20 November 2018. 14