IMB members are independent, unpaid and work an average of 2-3 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 continue to monitor both prisons and immigration detention during the current pandemic. In 2020 and early 2021, much of this has necessarily been remote monitoring, though where it is safe and possible to do so, more boards are now returning to face to face visits. Board findings have been reported to ministers and to the Justice Select Committee as well as through annual reports, including the impact of the pandemic on prisoners and detainees.

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Latest news

  • Morton Hall 2021 annual report published

    Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre (IRC) closed on 23 July 2021 and the Board carried out independent monitoring duties throughout 2021 up to the closure date. The Board submitted a letter to the Minister with their findings for this period

  • Immigration Detention Estate 2020 annual report published

    The 2020 annual report for the Immigration Detention Estate is now published.

  • IMB report describes negative impact of very restrictive Covid regime

      Measures imposed to control Covid meant most prisoners were spending 23 hours a day in their cells, says the independent monitoring board at HMP Bullingdon in its 2020-21 annual report. Social visits and access to the library and gym were periodically suspended, and education and vocational training were initially curtailed (although have now resumed). … Read more >

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