Freedom of information
The Freedom of Information Act gives anybody the right to access information held by public authorities, including central government departments. Its provisions bind Independent Monitoring Boards as public authorities. This means that you can make an information request to us.
For Individuals Wishing to Make a Freedom of Information Request
If your Freedom of Information request relates to a specific IMB, please contact the Board directly via the prison or immigration removal centre to which it is attached. Your query should be marked for the attention of the IMB Clerk. Contact details for each establishment can be found here. You may also wish to look at a copy of the Board's publication scheme.
If your request releates to IMBs generally, please contact Steve Kilbey in the IMB Secretariat. Again, you may wish to look at a copy of the IMB publication scheme.
For IMBs Who Have Received a Freedom of Information Request
Steve Kilbey is the Information Access Representative for IMBs and all requests for information should be passed to him for action. He will examine and deal with the request and may need to contact the Board for information. The Board Chair will be copied into any correspondence and the Board should keep a record of the application and action(s).
IMBs operating in prison establishments should familiarise themselves with their publication scheme and with PSO 9020 (new window), which deals with the Freedom of Information and Data Protection Acts.
The time scale for responses is 20 working days for Freedom of Information applications and 40 working days for Data Protection Act applications. It is critically important that these time scales are adhered to.
