Ministry of Justice
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

P2604-063L

Lead Independent Scrutiny at the Heart of the Justice System

The Chief Inspector is the independent head of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) and its public voice. This is a high-profile national leadership role, combining organisational leadership with external scrutiny, influence, and accountability.

The Chief Inspector leads an organisation whose findings can have immediate and significant impact on public debate, policy direction, and operational practice across the custodial system. The role requires operating at the interface between government, the justice system, and the public, often in high-profile and sensitive contexts.

Reporting to Ministers, the Chief Inspector must act with clear independence from government and from the services under inspection. The role demands the confidence and judgement to provide robust, evidence-bas...