National Preventive Mechanism Seventh Annual Report 2015–16 Introduction by David Strang HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland I am pleased to introduce the seventh annual report of the United Kingdom’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). to be the independent chair. This is a significant milestone for the NPM and will enable it to grow in effectiveness. The NPM is responsible for the independent monitoring of all places of detention throughout the UK. It comprises the 20 bodies which have powers to enter places of detention for the purpose of providing oversight and scrutiny of the treatment of detainees and the conditions in which they are held. Such scrutiny is designed both to prevent harm occurring to people in detention and to encourage good practice in the care of detainees. The NPM fulfils the UK’s obligations arising from its commitment to the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (known as OPCAT). I also want to acknowledge the significant influence that Nick Hardwick had in shaping the NPM over the last five years when he was HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. He acted as the chair of the NPM throughout this time and skilfully encouraged cooperation and a clarity of focus to the joint work of the member bodies. We wish him well in his new role as Chair of the Parole Board. In order to strengthen the governance of the NPM and to improve our effectiveness, we decided to appoint an independent chair, who was not from one of the 20 member bodies. An independent chair will enable the voice of the NPM to be heard distinctly from that of the member bodies and will bring greater support to all members across the UK. After an open recruitment and selection process, the NPM appointed John Wadham 4 As the NPM continues to mature as an organisation, it is becoming more influential. It spends less of its energy and effort on internal structures and processes, and is able to concentrate more on improving the scrutiny of places of detention. A summary of the work of each of the NPM bodies is included in this report. The sub-groups of the NPM have developed opportunities for members to share expertise and to encourage innovation in our work. The Scottish sub-group has strengthened its relations with the Scottish Government. Importantly, members of the NPM reached a common position on the need for a time limit on immigration detention.