Contents Introduction By Nick Hardwick, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons 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 15 2 Focus on detention issues Isolation and solitary confinement De facto detention 20 21 47 3 The NPM in 2014-15 Strengthening the NPM Member-specific developments NPM sub-groups Joint working between NPM members Submitting proposals and observations on legislation (OPCAT Art.19c) International collaboration NPM self-assessment 52 53 54 60 61 61 63 64 4 Looking ahead to 2015-16 66 8 5 Appendices 68 I. Terms of Reference for the Scottish sub-group 69 II. Terms of Reference for the mental health network 71 III. Guidance on ensuring the independence of NPM personnel 73 IV. NPM recommendations to the OSCE Supplementary Human Rights Dimension Meeting 76 V. Glossary 78 VI. Further information about the UK NPM 80