Contents Introduction By John Wadham, NPM Chair 4 1 Context About the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) The UK’s National Preventive Mechanism The situation in detention during the year Political context, legislative and policy developments 9 10 13 21 2 Focus on detention issues Isolation – guidance for NPM monitoring bodies Pathways in detention Transitions from child to adult custody The process of transferring a child to adult custody 28 29 29 50 52 8 3 The NPM in 2016–17 56 Strengthening the NPM 57 Member-specific developments 58 Joint working between NPM members 65 Submitting proposals and observations on legislation (OPCAT article 19(c)) 65 International scrutiny and collaboration 67 NPM self-assessment 71 4 Looking ahead to 2017–18 74 5 Appendices 76 I. Letter from NPM Chair to Director of Judicial, Rights and International Policy at the Ministry of Justice, January 2017 77 II. Glossary 81 III. Further information about the UK NPM 83