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Sherry Ralph appointed as UK NPM Chair

Published:

The NPM Steering Group has ratified the appointment of Sherry Ralph as Chair of the UK NPM. Sherry is the CEO of ICVA and has been a longstanding member of the NPM Steering Group. Her background is in criminal justice, working in prisons, with police custody and human rights. The NPM team is looking forward to working closely with Sherry. Sherry will take the Chair formally at the end of August.

Sherry Ralph speaks at the UK NPM Annual Conference 2024

Sam Gluckstein, Head of the UK NPM, said:

“I am so pleased to welcome Sherry Ralph into the post of NPM Chair. Having worked closely with Sherry over the years as an impactful member of our Steering Group, I am confident in her ability to lead our organisation with vision and dedication. Sherry’s extensive expertise in human rights and her unwavering commitment to prevention of ill-treatment will be invaluable assets to our work. Her Chairship will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of individuals in detention.

I look forward to the positive impact she will bring to our work and the continued success of the UK National Preventive Mechanism under her guidance.

I would also like to thank Wendy Sinclair-Gieben. Wendy chaired the NPM for two years and made a profound contribution to the work of detention monitoring and inspection in the UK. She demits office with a legacy to be proud of and leaves behind a strong foundation for us to build on.”

Sherry Ralph said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to the role of the Chair of the UK NPM. The NPM brings monitoring bodies across the UK together in order to prevent ill treatment in places where people are deprived of their liberty under the OPCAT mandate.

Under the stewardship of the previous Chair, the NPM has made some important strides towards greater visibility of monitoring endeavours and cross cutting themes of work.

I have experience of working in prisons, police scrutiny and leading a membership organisation. I very much look forward to working with the excellent NPM team and members to build on the great work of the NPM both domestically and internationally to ensure that where people are deprived of their liberty by the state, they are held free of ill treatment and are treated with dignity.”