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© Copyright, Independent Monitoring Boards 2025.

IMB National Chair writes to the Minister for Prisons expressing concerns about use of force

Published:

Today (27 October 2025) Elisabeth Davies, National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), wrote to the Minister of State for Prisons, Lord Timpson, to raise serious concerns about the current trajectory of use of force practices across the prison estate and the implications of recent expansions to the weapons available to prison officers.

The letter draws on findings from local IMBs and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) data, giving detail on:

  • the significant overrepresentation of black, Muslim, disabled and young adult prisoners in the use of force;
  • the impact of inexperienced staff who are unable to de-escalate challenging situations appropriately;
  • and shortfalls in the oversight of disproportionate use of force.

The letter sets out the evidence behind the IMB’s condemnation of the expansion of force measures. It also highlights the need for the government and Prison Service to focus on ensuring that vulnerable prisoners receive appropriate care in the right environment, and to better equip staff with the skills they need to maintain discipline rather than diverting resources to reactive measures with little supporting evidence behind them.

Open letter – use of force in prisons and YOIs