IMB members are the eyes and ears of the public, appointed by ministers to perform a vital task: independent monitoring of prisons and immigration detention.
England and Wales
- Tweets 270
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We're still recruiting IMB members !
We still have a few places available at next week's virtual prisons event. This is the final event for this campaign.
Come along to find out more about the role, hear from current members, and discover how you can get involved.
🔗 Find out more and book your place: imb.org.uk
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Today, the IMB sent a letter to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum setting out serious concerns about the implementation of Operation Hillmore
Read the Guardian coverage below:
theguardian.com/uk-news/2026…
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Today we wrote to the Minister for Border Security and Asylum raising serious concerns about Operation Hillmore, including the detention of children, safeguarding failures, barriers to legal advice and lengthy detention of vulnerable people. Read our letter:
imb.org.uk/news/operation-hi…
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
If your loved one in prison needs to make a complaint to the prison or to IPCI / @PPOmbudsman, this is how they do it:
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📢 On 10 July, @CustodyVisiting published Immigration Detainees in Police Custody, a report representing two years of collaborative work.
The report builds on concerns identified through IMB and AVID monitoring of detention in police custody under immigration powers, which led to the creation of the Immigration Detention Network in 2024.
#ImmigrationDetention #IndependentMonitoring
icva.org.uk/immigration-deta…
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We're currently recruiting for a Policy Lead to join our friendly and supportive team. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys tackling complex policy issues, working with a broad range of stakeholders, and making a tangible difference. The role directly supports the important statutory work of Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) and Lay Observers (LOs), helping ensure independent oversight across prisons and immigration detention.
It's a varied role with plenty of scope to shape policy, influence decision-making, and work closely with operational colleagues and senior leaders.
If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, or you know someone who would be a good fit, take a look at the vacancy or share it with your network. #job #recruiting #policy
jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/…
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We've all felt the heat recently. But, imagine being locked in an overcrowded prison, with little respite from soaring temperatures. IMBs have highlighted concerns about extreme heat, access to water, ventilation and cooling measures, and is calling for a coherent national approach. #heatwave #prisons
imb.org.uk/news/as-heatwaves…
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
"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…
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
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…
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
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
"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…
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
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…
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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
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
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)
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Independent Monitoring Boards retweeted
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.
Our latest bulletin reveals that reception prisons present a high-risk environment for self-inflicted deaths. 11% of our sample took their life within 48 hours of entering a reception prison highlighting the vulnerability of prisoners in these early days: ppo.gov.uk/news/the-risk-of-…
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📣 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/…
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