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UK NPM statement on the Committee for the Prevention of Torture report: Treatment of women in prison in England and Wales

Published:

The UK NPM welcomes the findings from the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture’s (CPT) report on its ad hoc visit to the UK in December 2025. The visit focused on the treatment of women in prison in England and Wales, with the delegation visiting HMP Eastwood Park and HMP Styal.

The UK NPM encourages the UK Government and other relevant duty bearers to take action on the CPT’s recommendations as soon as possible to ensure full respect for the rights of those deprived of their liberty, as well as sustained improvements in treatment and conditions, in line with the UK’s international obligations.

See the CPT’s full report, and Government’s response, on the CPT’s website: Report on the United Kingdom

Read the UK NPM’s statement on the CPT’s findings: UK NPM statement on the Committee for the Prevention of Torture’s (CPT) report on their ad hoc Visit to England in December 2025

Rachel Lindsay, Chair of the UK NPM, said:

“I welcome the CPT’s report and recommendations, and thank the Committee for its continued engagement and support, which is of real value to the UK NPM. While it is encouraging to see positive practice recognised in relation to the treatment of women in prison in England and Wales, significant challenges remain in ensuring that treatment and conditions meet acceptable standards. The UK NPM will carefully consider the report’s findings and how best it can support continued improvement across the UK’s deprivation of liberty landscape.”

For any enquiries, please contact the UK NPM Secretariat at UKNPM@hmiprisons.gov.uk.