About us
To provide independent scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees, promoting the concept of 'healthy prisons' in which staff work effectively to support prisoners and detainees to reduce reoffending or achieve other agreed outcomes.
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales (HMI Prisons) is an independent inspectorate which reports on conditions for and treatment of those in prison, young offender institutions and immigration detention facilities.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is appointed from outside the Prison Service, for a term of five years. The Chief Inspector reports to Ministers on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons in England and Wales.
The Prisons Inspectorate also has statutory responsibility to inspect all immigration removal centres and holding facilities. In addition, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is invited to inspect the Military Corrective Training Centre in Colchester, prisons in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
For information on the process of inspection and the structure and operation of the inspectorate, please read our inspection manual. Further guidance on the abbreviations and terms that may appear in our inspection reports can be found in our glossary.
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Frequently asked questions
Common questions and answers about the Inspectorate
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Annual reports
Annual reports which HM Chief Inspector is required to produce to be laid before parliament.
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Latest business plan
The latest business plan and criminal justice Inspectorates' joint inspections business plan
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Race equality scheme
This is HMI Prisons’ first three strand equality scheme and sets out our objectives to work towards race, disability and gender equality within our own organisation and with those we inspect.
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Terms of reference
These Terms of Reference spell out the responsibilities of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons.
