IMB members are independent, unpaid and work an average of 3-4 visits per month. Their role is to monitor the day-to-day life in their local prison or removal centre and ensure that prisoners and detainees are treated fairly and humanely.

To see a map of prison establishments use the Prison Finder

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Board reporting during Covid-19

Boards will continue to monitor both prisons and immigration detention during the current pandemic. Much of this will necessarily be remote monitoring, though where it is safe and possible to do so, members may carry out limited visiting within Public Health England guidelines. They will provide feedback regularly to local managers and via the National Chair, to HMPPS, the Home Office and ministers. They will also continue to issue annual reports, including the impact of COVID-19 where reports cover that period. We will continue to publish Boards’ annual reports, but due to the current pressures on both the immigration detention and prison estates, IMBs accept that some recommendations will not be able to be actioned in current circumstances.

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Latest news

  • Rochester 2019/20 annual report published

    HMP/YOI Rochester provides a safe and decent environment, and the prison has remained free of the Covid-19 virus during lockdown. In its 2019/20 Annual Report published today, the Rochester Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) – made up of volunteers appointed by ministers to ensure prisoners are treated humanely – notes that: HMP & YOI Rochester continues … Read more >

  • Styal 2019/20 annual report published

    The 2019/20 annual report for Styal is now published.

  • Oakwood 2019/20 annual report published

    The 2019/20 annual report for HMP Oakwood is now published.

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