What Independent Prison Monitors Do
Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) are volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds who play a unique role in providing independent scrutiny of how people in custody are treated across Scotland. They make regular visits to prisons, engaging directly with prisoners and observing life behind the scenes — moving freely and independently throughout the establishment to gain genuine insight into an environment often hidden from the wider community. By monitoring conditions and treatment, and reporting their findings to HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS), IPMs help promote openness, fairness, and accountability within the prison system.
Why Become an Independent Prison Monitor
Becoming an IPM offers a rare opportunity to see what really happens inside Scotland’s prisons and to make a meaningful contribution to positive change. Independent Prison Monitors help uphold human dignity, promote fairness, and support continuous improvement in prison standards. The role is voluntary but deeply rewarding, offering valuable experience in justice, equality, and human rights.
Are you?
- Interested in making a unique contribution by monitoring the treatment of, and conditions for, prisoners in Scotland?
- Open-minded, a natural communicator and able to exercise sound, objective judgement?
- At least 18 years old?
- I have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years?
- Are physically able to undertake mandatory Personal Protection Training?
If the answers are yes, please see information below.
Application information
Before completing the online application form, please read the Information Pack and Privacy Notice at the bottom of this page. You are required to have read and understood this when completing the declaration section of the online application form. Applications will be processed as they are submitted.
The application form can be found HERE.
Application stages
- Complete and submit an online application form
- HMIPS considers/sifts applications and notifies applicants by email
- Informal virtual Interviews take place
- Disclosure Scotland security checks are completed
- Training takes place
Commitment
As an IPM, you are required to:
- Complete all required IPM training, and take part in ongoing learning and development activities arranged by HMIPS.
- Visit your allocated prison regularly to monitor conditions and treatment, usually once a fortnight (though this may vary depending on your availability and arrangements with your regional co-ordinator).
- Record accurate and objective observations from monitoring visits and prisoner requests on the Case Management System (CMS), linking findings to the relevant HMIPS Monitoring Standards.
- Review reports and feedback from your Prison Monitoring Co-ordinator (PMC) and contribute to identifying areas for improvement.
- Work constructively with colleagues, HMIPS staff and prison management, attending team and liaison meetings.
- Follow HMIPS policies and procedures, and respond positively to feedback or guidance, particularly during your probationary period.
IPMs are normally appointed for a minimum of two years, with the opportunity to serve up to a maximum of nine years.
Mandatory Training Programme
Internal Training by HMIPS:
- Awareness session - a guided tour of the prison with the regional coordinator, providing new monitors with first-hand exposure to the prison environment and an understanding of daily operations). ~3 hours at one of the prisons in person.
- IPM Core Training - an online Teams live session led by HMIPS team member that covers the essentials of being a prison monitor, including monitoring standards, case management systems, and the theoretical foundations of prison oversight. ~2 hours virtually via Teams.
- First visit - an introductory visit to the assigned prison where monitors, accompanied by a mentor or experienced staff member, observe daily routines and begin to familiarize themselves with the environment, roles, and responsibilities involved in prison monitoring. ~2 hours at the allocated prison in person.
- IPM CMS/IT Training (Training for new IPMs to get started with the Case Management System (CMS) called Hubshare. Our CMS is used for handling prisoners' requests, logging visits, and writing monitoring visit reports. This will also cover accessing SPS emails and managing your training on MyLo. ~2 hours virtually via Teams. To be completed after First Visit.
External SPS Training:
- Personal Protection Training (PPT Non-Ops) - a practical training focused on essential personal safety skills and protocols specific to the prison environment to ensure monitors can confidently navigate and manage any risks. Core once and then Annual Refresher. ~4 hours at one of the prisons in person.
- Key Vending/Security - a specialised training covering the proper handling, security, and accountability of prison keys. This session ensures monitors understand the protocols for key management to maintain safety and prevent unauthorized access within the prison. Completed once at each establishment IPMs are allocated to. ~1.5 hours at the allocated prison in person.
- SPS National Induction - training offers new Independent Prison Monitors an introduction to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) - its structure, values, and how prisons operate day to day. It helps IPMs understand the wider context of their monitoring role and provides useful insights into key SPS policies, procedures, and current priorities. Completed once. ~2 hours at one of the prisons in person.
- Professional Boundaries (PB) - Guidance on maintaining clear, ethical boundaries in prison monitoring to ensure impartiality, professionalism, and integrity in all interactions. Completed once. ~3 hours at one of the prisons in person.
- Talk-to-Me Awareness (TTM) - part of the Scottish Prison Service’s suicide prevention strategy, this training focuses on identifying risks, supporting individuals in custody, and enabling timely, informed responses. Completed once. ~3 hours at one of the prisons in person.
Optional Development Opportunities
Once appointed, Independent Prison Monitors (IPMs) will have access to a range of optional training resources to enhance their skills and knowledge. These resources include subjects such as drug-related issues, trauma-informed approaches, and other professional development topics designed to support their important work in prisons.