CJI designated as anti- torture oversight body

Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has been designated as one of the bodies to form UK’s National Preventative Mechanism (UK NPM) in accordance with the Operational Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT).  As part of the ratification process for OPCAT, the Government has announced CJI will be one of a number of existing inspection bodies directed to carry out a system of regular visits to places of detention in order to prevent the torture and other cruel, in human or degrading treatment or punishment of detained persons.  A written ministerial statement  identifying the bodies selected across the UK to form the UK NPM was presented to Parliament by Michael Wills MP, Minister of State with the Department of Justice today.  Other bodies designated alongside CJI as part of the UK NPM for Northern Ireland include the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Northern Ireland Policing Board Independent Custody Visiting Scheme (NIPBICVS).  To view a copy of the Ministerial statement click here.