What is the Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group?
The Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group was established in 2015. It is a group including experts in prisons, human rights and related fields, Independent Prison Monitors, Prison Monitoring Coordinators and HM Inspector of Prisons for Scotland.
Current members of the Advisory Group are:
Members as specified in the Order:
Wendy Sinclair-Gieben, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons
Stephen Sandham, Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons
Chris Johnston, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Chris Collins, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Ewan Mackenzie, Regional Prison Monitoring Coordinator
Independent Prison Monitors:
Fiona Govan, IPM at HMP Greenock. Fiona leads on research, development and training for the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission. She was previously involved in supporting the Children’s Hearings System as a Panel Member.
Muriel Mowat, IPM at HMYOI Polmont. Muriel has particular expertise in development and good practice around independent advocacy in health and social care settings. Her work has included providing training for the implementation of the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 and preparing evidence on advocacy for Parliamentary Committees.
Marilyn Stenhouse, IPM at HMP & YOI Cornton Vale. Marilyn is a COSCA-qualified counsellor with many years’ experience in the Children’s Hearings System, including as a Panel Member, Chair and Trainer. She was involved in the Visiting Committee at Cornton Vale for over 10 years. She is also a Church Elder and Board Member.
Gillian Long, IPM at HMP Barlinnie. Gil worked in overseas development, focussing on women's rights and access to justice projects. Her skill set covers project management, training, research and evaluation. Gil is Chair of Parkhead Citizens advice Bureau which runs an outreach service in HMP Barlinnie, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of Citizens advice Scotland.
Sarah Cox, PIM at HMP Perth. Sarah currently works as a Children's Safeguarder for the Children's Hearing System and the Courts, having previously been a long serving member of the Children's Panel. She has worked for many years in the voluntary sector in mental health and was a Mental Health First Aid Trainer.
Tina Harris, IPM at HMPs Grampian and Inverness. Tina has a background in Early Years teaching, where she specialised in working with children with deviant patterns of behaviour. She has many years experience of 'special schools' and was a member of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council. From 1994, she took on frontline charity management both in the UK and overseas, creating and sustaining opportunities for people with neurodiversity, additional support needs, homeless and dispossessed working towards a valued quality of life. Tina was a Lay Assessor for the Care Inspectorate for six years, and sat on the Scottish Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Board until 2015.
Margaret Roberts, IPM at HMPs Greenock and Kilmarnock. Margaret formerly worked for the NHS in Glasgow as a consultant in the speciality of Medicine for the Elderly and as an Associate Medical Director. She also undertook various roles involving development of service standards and inspection of clinical services and training posts across Scotland and the UK.
Mark Hamid. IPM at HMP Edinburgh. Mark is a Governance Advisor at a university in the Lothians and brings a wealth of experience working in the courts and wider public sector.
Additional members:
Kathrine Mackie. Katherine practised as a Solicitor specialising in medical negligence before being appointed a Sheriff in 2000. She established a Domestic Abuse Court in Edinburgh Sheriff Court and was involved in the development of the All Scotland Personal Injury Court there. Following retirement in 2018, she continues to sit as a Sheriff as and when required. She is an advisor to the Board of Community Justice Scotland, a member of the Recover Renew and Transform Advisory Group, and a member of the Boards of Apex Scotland and Aid & Abet.
Anne Hawkins. Anne was formerly the Director of Glasgow City Community Health Partnership. Anne worked in the NHS for over 35 years and for many years managed Mental Health services. She chaired the National Prison Healthcare Network supporting the transfer of prison healthcare to the NHS.
Jim McManus. Jim currently represents the UK on the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. He was formerly a Professor of Criminal Justice and Glasgow Caledonian University and previously Chairman of the Parole Board for Scotland.
Pete White. Pete is the founder and Chief Executive of Positive Prisons? Positive Futures, a charity which seeks to share lived experience of people in the criminal justice system in order to improve the effectiveness of justice in Scotland.
What is the group’s remit?
The role of the Advisory Group is set out in the Public Services Reform (Inspection and Monitoring of Prisons) (Scotland) Order 2014, which specifies that HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland must establish a Prison Monitoring Advisory Group.
The Group ensures the continued independence of Independent Prison Monitors and supports the development and improvement of prison monitoring in Scotland. Its key functions are to:
- Keep the effectiveness of prison monitoring under review;
- Contribute to and review the guidance for prison monitoring;
- Review training for Independent Prison Monitors; and
- Make recommendations for improvement.
How often does the group meet?
The group meets on a quarterly basis.
Getting in touch
If you would like to find out more about the Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group, please contact HM Inspectorate of Prisons on 0131 244 1844 or email prisonmonitoring@gov.scot.
You can also write to the Advisory Group at this address:
Independent Prison Monitoring Advisory Group
HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland
Y1 Spur, Saughton House
Broomhouse Drive
Edinburgh
EH11 3XD