Category: Blog

International Women’s Day fell on Saturday 8 March. Over the last year, the UK NPM has sought to produce resources that prioritise women’s health and treatment in detention, publishing bespoke guidance for monitors, and contributing to a global report on women in prison. For the International Women’s Month blog, NPM Secretariat Officer Jane Kilpatrick reflects on how understandings of women deprived of their liberty, particularly in prisons, are improving. However, there are still numerous and significant barriers to overcome before we will see treatment and conditions for women deprived of their liberty live up to international standards for equality, and for the prevention of ill-treatment.

I am honoured to step into the role of Chair of the United Kingdom National Preventive Mechanism (UK NPM) at such a pivotal time.

Last month, the UK National Preventive Mechanism published two new guidance documents on preventing ill treatment.

The 2024 UK NPM Annual Conference focused on the theme of scrutinising culture.

As UK NPM Chair, I am delighted to welcome you to the first edition of our blog.