Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on layobservers.org. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Choose which cookies we use

Analytics cookies

We use Google Analytics to measure how you use the website so we can improve it based on user needs. We do not allow Google Analytics to use or share the data about how you use this site.

See our analytics cookies
Analytics cookies
Name Purpose Expires
_ga These help us count how many people visit on layobservers.org by tracking if you’ve visited before 2 years
_gid These help us count how many people visit on layobservers.org by tracking if you’ve visited before 24 hours
_gat These help us to manage how we collect analytics when we have lots of visitors on the site at one time 10 minutes

Essential cookies

Always on

These cookies will always need to be on because they make our site work.

See our functional cookies
All users
Name Purpose Expires
wordpress_test_cookie This is used to test whether the browser accepts cookies When you close your browser
PHPSESSID This is used to link your device to the information sent to the server from your browser. It is typically used to avoid you having to retype information when moving from one page to another. When you close your browser
ccfw_wp_plugin.banner.hidden Lets us know you have chosen which cookies are used so we can stop the cookie banner appearing when you return to the site. 1 year
ccfw_wp_plugin.ga.accept Lets us know you have accepted Google Analytics cookies so we can stop them loading when you return to the site. 1 year
Logged in users
Name Purpose Expires
wordpress_[hash] This authenticates you when you log in to the admin area When you close your browser
wordpress_logged_in This shows the site that you’re logged in and who you are so you can access the functions you need When you close your browser
wordpress_sec If you are logged in as a site admin, this stores your authentication details. When you close your browser
wp-settings-{time}-[UID] The number on the end [UID] is your individual user ID from the users database. 1 year

Third-party cookies

We have no control over cookies set by third parties. You can turn them off, but not through us. In addition, if you share a link to a page, the service you share it on (for example, Facebook) may set a cookie.

See third party cookies
YouTube

YouTube videos play in privacy-enhanced mode. This mode may set third-party cookies on your computer when you click on the YouTube video player. These cookies will not be personally identifiable.

Read the YouTube Privacy Policy
Vimeo

Vimeo videos set third-party cookies to enable the video to play and collect analytics data. These cookies do not track individuals.

Read the Vimeo Cookie Policy
Twitter

Twitter widgets may add cookies to help analyse usage and remember your session if you are also logged in to your Twitter account.

Read the Twitter Privacy Policy
Lay Observers Logo
  • Home
  • About us
    • The Role
    • National Governance
    • Parliament and Policy
  • News
  • Reports
  • How to become a Lay Observer
    • Expression of Interest
    • Person specification
    • Rewards and benefits of being a Lay Observer
    • What does it take to be a Lay Observer ?
    • Lay Observer Training
    • Data Protection Statement
  • Members’ Section
  • Contact us

News

  • 1st February 2023

    Serious concerns about the treatment of detainees

    In their 2021-22 national annual report published today, the Lay Observers (LOs) raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees with particular focus on children and young persons (CYPs) and the impact of staff shortages. Vulnerable children are often are often not supported by specially trained officers and are required to travel in the close … Read more >


  • 24th February 2022

    National Chair’s tenure extended

    The Secretary of State has today confirmed a year’s extension to John Thornhill’s tenure as National Chair of the Lay Observers from 1 June 2022 until 31 May 2023. John Thornhill said: “I am pleased to have been re-appointed as Chair of the Lay Observers for another year. This is an important year for the … Read more >


  • 22nd February 2022

    Monitoring Places of Detention During COVID-19: NPM Report

    Today the National Preventative Mechanism publishes their 12th Annual Report: Monitoring places of detention during COVID-19 – 12th Annual Report of the UK’s National Preventative Mechanism 2020-21


  • 9th December 2021

    Lack of services in court on certain days could risk people being remanded unnecessarily

    Lay Observers (LOs) have raised a number of concerns in their newly published annual report, the most serious being that courts on Saturday’s or Bank Holidays are sometimes having to make remand decisions without important information, which should be provided by support services. Covid-19 restrictions made in-person visits by LOs impossible at times, but they … Read more >


  • 14th May 2021

    Extension to Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council term

    The Secretary of State has announced a 1 year extension to John Thornhill OBE’s tenure as Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council. More information can be found here: Extension to Chair of the Lay Observers’ National Council term – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)


  • 10th December 2020

    UK National Preventive Mechanism’s response to the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture’s report on its visit to the UK

    Today the NPM have published the United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT)’s report to the UK NPM following its visit to the UK in September 2019, and have also published the UK NPM’s official response to the SPT report. The NPM hope it stands as a valuable representation of how the they … Read more >


  • 13th August 2020

    Minsterial response to Lay Observers National Annual Report

    The reponse from Lucy Frazer QC MP,  Minister of State for Justice to they Lay Observers National Annual Report can be found here


  • 7th August 2020

    Lay Observers 2019/20 annual report published

    Dirty cells, poor support for children and rising errors in medication records a ‘matter of embarrassment’ for the criminal justice system, says custody watchdog   People with health problems still ‘falling through the gaps’ in complex prison, police, court and transport arrangements  Poor recording of medical needs, lack of accessible sanitary provision for some women … Read more >


  • 17th April 2020

    COURT CUSTODY WATCHDOG PRAISES STAFF DEDICATION DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK

    John Thornhill, the National Chair of the Lay Observers (LOs) – who are volunteers appointed by ministers to ensure that people transported to and detained in court custody are treated with respect and decency – today praised the ‘caring and committed’ approach of court and escort staff during the Covid-19 outbreak. The 60-strong LO team … Read more >


  • 31st March 2020

    UPDATE ON LAY OBSERVER ACTIVITY DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK

    Lay Observers National Chair John Thornhill today updated stakeholders as follows: At this unprecedented time of the Covid–19 crisis our paramount concern is for the safety and health of all involved in our area of activity – detainees, custody and transport staff and Lay Observers. Given these concerns and based on the Government advice issued … Read more >


1 2 3 Next »
  • About us
  • Crown Copyright
  • Justice on GOV.UK
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility statement