What is the Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group?
The Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group was established in 2015. It is a group including experts in prisons, human rights and related fields, Independent Prison Monitors, Prison Monitoring Coordinators and HM Inspector of Prisons for Scotland.
The group meets on a quarterly basis.
The role of the Advisory Group is set out in the Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring of Prisons) (Scotland) Order 2014, which specifies that HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland must establish a Prison Monitoring Advisory Group.
The Group ensures the continued independence of Independent Prison Monitors and supports the development and improvement of prison monitoring in Scotland. Its key functions are to:
- Keep the effectiveness of prison monitoring under review;
- Contribute to and review the guidance for prison monitoring;
- Review training for Independent Prison Monitors; and
- Make recommendations for improvement.
Current members of the Advisory Group
Members as specified in the Order:
Sara Snell, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland
Stephen Sandham, Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland
Chris Johnston, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Chris Collins, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Ewan Mackenzie, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Vicky Dunlop, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Independent Prison Monitors
The following people bring their experience and expertise as IPMs, as well as their personal / professional experience, to the group. They also represent the interests of all IPMs in Scotland:
Sarah Cox, IPM
Tina Harris, IPM
(Other IPM members to be appointed)
Additional members:
Emma Dilger, Head of Prisons Unit, Community Justice Division, Scottish Government
Jim Murdoch, Professor, Glasgow University
Jim Watson, Prisoner Expert Group
(Other members to be appointed)
Getting in touch
If you would like to find out more about the Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group, please contact our prison monitoring email at prisonmonitoring@gov.scot.
You can also write to the Advisory Group at this address:
Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group
HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland
Y1 Spur, Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD