Fact sheet 2: The first five years of the UK NPM What is a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM)? The UK set up its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in March 2009. The NPM aims to prevent torture and ill-treatment in all places of detention, in line with the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. Establishing the NPM In its first five years, the UK NPM has focused efforts on establishing an effective governance structure and raising awareness among its members and key stakeholders. Progress has been made to: • Ensure all places of detention within the UK are subject to independent monitoring NPM members’ monitoring has expanded to cover court cells, escorts and deportations, medium secure units for children and young people, and ‘non-designated’ police cells. • Establish a common set of Expectations to guide members’ efforts under their NPM mandate The powers and practices expected of NPM members in performing their monitoring function were set out and agreed by the full NPM membership. • Strengthening governance The coordination function, performed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons, and the establishment of a steering group to facilitate decision making and set the strategic direction, has strengthened the effectiveness of the NPM, now made up of 20 institutional members. • Address the specific issues faced by children and young people in detention A thematic subgroup now meets regularly to share information and join up efforts towards preventing ill-treatment of children and young people in detention. • Build awareness of the UK NPM nationally and internationally Training on preventing torture and ill-treatment through monitoring has been delivered by NPM members to numerous lay visiting bodies, professional inspectorates and other stakeholders. Important linkages for sharing information and expertise have been established with non-governmental organisations and many others. The UK NPM has been called on to share its expertise around the world with new NPMs and countries in the process of ratifying OPCAT. Focusing on detention-related concerns Bringing together its different skills, expertise and approaches, the UK NPM has sought to focus attention on shared areas of concern. This work has allowed NPM members to share expertise, develop new understanding of human rights issues, strengthen their own methodologies, and issue recommendations for further action. It includes: 72