Section three Strengthing the NPM The briefing highlighted the most relevant sections to care, welfare and human rights and the impacts on custody visiting. New and existing ICVs also received training on equality and human rights and TACT detention. The annual ICVS conference in Glasgow was attended by a record number of ICVs and speakers included the IRTL. In November 2017 Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) welcomed a new National Chair, Dame Anne Owers, as the first step in implementing new governance arrangements. A series of internal forums was held to update board chairs on the proposed new governance structure and gain their feedback on key issues. The aim is to strengthen the independence, effectiveness and impact of the work of IMBs. A new annual report template was launched to ensure that Boards report in a clear and structured way. Training for both Board chairs and new members has been further developed and rolled out, supported by an e-learning platform. Independent Monitoring Boards (Northern Ireland) (IMBNI) continued with its regular visits programme. Issues raised throughout the year included delays in the time taken to complete reviews of decisions to restrict individual prisoner’s association, and the need for greater oversight of the care and separation unit at Maghaberry Prison. The Boards and Executive Council successfully sought an independent review of IMBNI to ensure that the Boards, Executive Council and Secretariat remain fit for purpose in an ever-changing environment. This year has been one of unprecedented activity for the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL) and others working in the area of TACT detention, following the terrorism attacks on Westminster Bridge in London on 22 March 2017. The IRTL continued to work closely with ICVA, whose custody visitors undertake visits to TACT detainees and whose reports on visits are provided to the IRTL. Very few concerns were raised by detainees throughout the year in relation to the conditions of their detention. The IRTL attended the ICVA Board meeting in April last year, attended and spoke at the ICVS Scotland Annual Conference in May 2017 and hosted an ICVA conference in August 2017 for TACT scheme managers to discuss issues and good practice. In addition, he continued to liaise with members of the National Appropriate Adult Network to hear their experiences of TACT detentions. The annual report of the IRTL was laid before parliament in January 2018 and noted a reluctance by detainees to give consent to ICVA visits within the TACT custody facility in Northern Ireland. The IRTL subsequently worked to promote an understanding of the independence of custody visitors, which led to a change in policy where ICVA volunteers self-introduce to detainees. The report also highlighted the need for consistency across the UK in relation to the practice of obtaining a verbal response from a sleeping detainee. The Lay Observers’ 2016–17 annual report was published in October 2017 and covered a wide range of recommendations – most fundamentally the lack of a unified and coherent approach to assure the exercise of the duty of care to persons under escort and in court custody. The Chair reported that the welfare of detained persons was at risk due to inadequate access to health care, unacceptable conditions in custody suites, 43