CAT/OP/GBR/RONPM/1 of detention in each jurisdiction. The mechanism’s business plan is agreed and monitored at these meetings and other decisions that require the input from all members are taken. 27. The Subcommittee is concerned that the current set-up regarding the national preventive mechanism and its members does not fully comply with the Optional Protocol. The Subcommittee further addresses this issue below and supports, as a matter of priority, the mechanism’s efforts and initiative to bring about the necessary legislative changes to bring the United Kingdom into full compliance with the Optional Protocol. C. Activities 28. The Subcommittee notes the extent of the work being done by the 21 members of the national preventive mechanism across the four nations of the United Kingdom. According to the figures provided by the mechanism, between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2018, dedicated volunteers conducted at least 66,000 monitoring visits per year to prisons, young offender institutions, immigration detention facilities and places of police and court custody, as well as to observe escorts; and inspectors carried out at least 1,500 inspections across the United Kingdom.10 29. In addition to visits to monitor places of deprivation of liberty, the national preventive mechanism carries out coordination and promotional activities under its Optional Protocol mandate. For example, all members complete an annual self-assessment of their Optional Protocol compliance, using a self-evaluation matrix developed by the Subcommittee. 11 30. The mechanism has established four subgroups to provide forums for sharing information, strengthening monitoring approaches and coordinating responses to government policy developments. There are three thematic subgroups (children and young people; police; and mental health) and one subgroup for managing mechanism members in Scotland. 31. In accordance with article 19 (c) of the Optional Protocol, the national preventive mechanism submits proposals and observations concerning existing or draft legislation. Moreover, it has published data showing the number of people detained in different settings and in different jurisdictions, with a view to addressing the absence of readily available or comparable data. In 2017, after conducting joint research, the mechanism published comprehensive guidance on monitoring isolation in detention. The mechanism has contributed to numerous policy discussions, government consultations and parliamentary inquiries relevant to the prevention of ill-treatment. 32. The mechanism cooperates closely with many other national preventive mechanisms and networks of such mechanisms in the region. It also maintains regular contact and ongoing dialogue with the Subcommittee, in accordance with paragraph 40 of the Subcommittee guidelines on national preventive mechanisms. 33. In accordance with the Subcommittee guidelines on national preventive mechanisms, the Subcommittee recommends that the national preventive mechanism continue using its resources in such a way as to ensure that places of deprivation of liberty are visited in a manner and with sufficient frequency to make an effective contribution to the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Furthermore, the mechanism is encouraged to continue making proposals and observations to the relevant State authorities regarding existing and draft policy or legislation relevant to its mandate. In doing so, the mechanism should ensure that it speaks in one voice as the preventive body of the United Kingdom, in accordance with the Optional Protocol. 10 11 Ninth Annual Report of the United Kingdom’s National Preventive Mechanism, 1 April 2017–31 March 2018 (2019), p. 35. Available at www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/OPCAT/Pages/OPCATIndex.aspx. 7

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