The @_Imbs_ National Annual Report 2025, covering prisons and immigration detention across England and Wales, is published today. Read the full report here: imb.org.uk/news/a-system-stu… #IMB #Prisons #Detention

"Inmates in England and Wales live among vermin while gangs control entire wings, monitors warn, with failures ‘at risk of becoming normalised’" theguardian.com/society/2026…

This report underlines the importance of protecting the vital role of @_Imbs_ in providing independent scrutiny of treatment and conditions in our prisons. Read our full response to the findings at prisonreformtrust.org.uk/prt…

"This powerful report from the IMBs lifts the lid on a prison system in turmoil. It reveals the gulf between the rhetoric we hear in Westminster and the reality we see in overwhelmed and under-resourced jails." More on @_Imbs_' annual report here: howardleague.org/news/powerf…

Prison system stuck in decline @_Imbs_ national annual report says the prison system is stuck in decline with same fundamental concerns and no evidence of change russellwebster.com/prison-sy…

Worrying findings from Holme House prison, which was re-rolled from Cat C to Cat B in January 2025. Assaults and use of force have increased. Seventeen people died in a year, either in the prison or within two weeks of release. More in @_imbs_ annual report: imb.org.uk/document/holme-ho… (Photo of Holme House by Andy Aitchison)

Reception prisons are not designed to hold people for extended periods of time. 36% of our sample took their life after spending three months in a reception prison suggesting that risk of self-inflicted deaths continues beyond the early days.

📣 We’re hiring a Communications Lead (12 month fixed term) This role is ideal for someone who cares about independent scrutiny and the fair, humane treatment of people in detention, and who wants to use communications to support transparency, accountability, and impact. 📍 London | ⏳ Fixed term | 🗓️ Apply by 29 May 2026 jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/…

Segregation is an isolating form of custody and it reduces protective factors against suicide and self-harm. Prison policy makes clear that prisoners managed under suicide and self-harm procedures should only be placed in segregation in exceptional circumstances.

📚 Stay informed. Join our mailing list to get the latest IMB publications straight to your inbox. Sign up via the form. ⬇️⬇️ imb.org.uk/contact-us/

We are delighted to share that Jane Leech, MBE, has been appointed as the interim National Chair of the IMB. With 18 years of dedicated service and deep experience across the IMB landscape, Jane brings exceptional insight, leadership, and commitment to the role. We look forward to working with her as she guides the organisation through this next chapter. gov.uk/government/news/inter…

In 2024 we published our thematic report on the impact of prisoner property loss. imb.org.uk/news/chaos-in-the…. @HMIPrisonsnews latest key findings paper highlights that prisoners are still experiencing the same damaging outcomes. Read their paper below ⬇️

imb.org.uk/news/boys-locked-… Boys continue to be locked up for 22 hours a day at HMPYOI Feltham. IMB Feltham Chair, Maura Parsons, said: “Our latest annual report highlights many of the same issues reported in previous years, with no significant improvements having been made. Opportunities for rehabilitation for both children and adults are severely hampered when they are locked up for significant periods of time, with limited access to purposeful activity.”

📢We are recruiting on IMBs across the country London only: 7 January | Closes 28 January. All other locations: 7 January | Closes 18 February Don’t miss your chance to make a difference! imb.org.uk

Today the Independent Monitoring Board released a report on the use of force in immigration detention. Findings show force is often applied inconsistently, disproportionately, and without proper justification-undermining the dignity and welfare of vulnerable people. Read the full report ⬇️#IMB #immigrationdetention imb.org.uk/news/brook-house-…

Public statement following the publication of the Medomsley report The @PPOmbudsman's report into the serious and persistent abuse of young men at Medomsley Detention Centre, published today, evidences the dangers of complacency and collusion, and the devastating consequences of professional bodies failing in their duties to protect those for whom they are responsible. The Board of Visitors (BoV) existed to provide independent oversight of such settings and the treatment of those within them. In this they failed. We take full responsibility for that on behalf of the BoV, our predecessor organisation. We are deeply sorry for the harm caused, and the impact that we know this will continue to have on the lives of the victims and their families. ppo.gov.uk/news/ppo-publish-…

📢 The IMB has published a letter to the Minister of State for Prisons, Lord Timpson, setting out evidence behind its concerns over the expansion of force measures in custody. It calls for better care for vulnerable prisoners and improved staff training to support proactive discipline, rather than relying on reactive approaches with limited evidence. imb.org.uk/news/imb-national…

“The improvement in the prison’s performance after the disastrous situation last year is welcomed and has been reflected in the largely positive conclusions of @HMIPrisonsnews Independent Review of Progress, conducted in April. However, until the serious staffing issues are properly addressed the prison’s efforts to improve further will be severely hampered.” - Matt Andrews, IMB Chair Wandsworth Read full report ⬇️ imb.org.uk/news/hmp-wandswor…