News
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)
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 >
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
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 >
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 >
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 >
Poor recording of health needs putting children and young people’s welfare in jeopardy, says custody watchdog in 2018/19 annual report
Vulnerable people ‘falling through the net’ of complex prison, police, court and transport arrangements Poor recording of health risks, unnecessary use of handcuffs and custody suites which are unclean and covered in sometimes gang-related or abusive graffiti are putting vulnerable people’s welfare and their access to justice in jeopardy. The situation is compounded by a … Read more >
NPM report highlights concerns for detainees who are not being held in safe and decent conditions
The National Preventative Mechanism (NPM) is the United Kingdom’s structure for complying with its commitment to the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). In their Ninth Annual Report, published today, the NPM presents the findings of the 21 member organisations, including those … Read more >
Annual report of Lay Observers highlights risk of serious consequences to welfare and access to justice for detained persons as result of lack of coherent approach to exercising duty of care
In his third annual report to the Secretary of State for Justice, the former Chairman of Lay Observers for England and Wales, Tony Fitzsimons, details failings in the care of people held in custody at courts and transported between police stations, prisons and courts by escort contractors. The 2017-18 annual report repeats continued concern that … Read more >
Independent monitoring of court custody and escort – key findings – February 2018
In February 2018, Lay Observers spoke to 566 of the 792 people in court custody during their visits. The number of the most serious incidents – level 3 reports – increased this month from 14 in January to 23 in February. However, most of these related to just three courts – Durham, Truro and Bedlington. … Read more >