Section seven Member overview Independent Monitoring Boards IMBs have a statutory duty to satisfy themselves about the state of the prisons or immigration detention facilities they visit, their administration and the treatment of prisoners or detainees. The boards are made up of unpaid members of the community and fulfil their duties by carrying out regular visits to establishments. There is a board for every prison in England and Wales and every IRC in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as for STHFs for immigration detainees. Board members are appointed by the Secretary of State. Independent Monitoring Boards (Northern Ireland) IMBs in Northern Ireland are statutory bodies whose role is to monitor the treatment of prisoners and the conditions of their imprisonment. The boards are made up of unpaid members of the community and fulfil their duties by carrying out regular visits to establishments. There are three boards in Northern Ireland, one for each prison. Board members are appointed by the Northern Ireland Justice Minister. Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland MWCS is an independent statutory organisation working to safeguard the rights and welfare of everyone with a mental illness, learning disability or related condition. The mandate of MWCS is broad and its activities include monitoring the care and treatment of people detained under mental health law. Northern Ireland Policing Board Independent Custody Visiting Scheme As in the rest of the UK, police custody suites in Northern Ireland receive regular, unannounced visits from custody visitors. Volunteers from the local community, custody visitors monitor the rights, health and well-being, and conditions of detention of those detained in police custody. Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills Ofsted is a regulatory and inspection body that seeks to promote excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. In the context of detention, Ofsted inspects the care and educational provision for children in secure accommodation, and assesses the provision of education and training in prisons, YOIs and IRCs as part of HMIP-led inspections. Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England The role of the Children’s Commissioner is to promote awareness of the views and interests of children in England. The Commissioner has the power to enter any premises for the purpose of interviewing any child accommodated or cared for there. While the Commissioner does not carry out a regular programme of visits or inspections, she has a broad power to enter premises where children may be detained. Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority The RQIA is empowered to monitor the availability and accessibility of health and social care services in Northern Ireland and promote improvement in the quality of these services. A key element of its role is to inspect the provision of health and social care in places of detention, including prisons, secure accommodation for children or places where people are detained under mental health law. Scottish Human Rights Commission The Scottish Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body with the power to enter places of detention and report on the rights of detainees. The Commission’s general duty is to promote awareness, understanding and respect for human rights and, in particular, to encourage best practice in relation to them. 47