Submission on the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill

The Commission welcomes the opportunity to provide its submission on the General Scheme of the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill. The predominant function of the Bill is to provide for the designation of National Preventive Mechanisms (‘NPMs’) for the purpose of ratifying the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (‘OPCAT’). The General Scheme places the Council of Europe inspections on a statutory footing, and additionally creates the role of Chief Inspector of Places of Detention. This extends and transforms the statutory role of Inspector of Prisons, to be designated as NPM for the justice sector.