HM PRISONS INSPECTORATE

That this House congratulates HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Anne Owers CBE, on her diligent exposure of the stresses, strains and abuses of the overcrowded prison system; commends her dedication and courage; considers that she has fulfilled her independent role so well that it is surprised and shocked by the Government's decision to abolish the post on economy grounds and to replace it by an over-arching body with wider responsibilities, less independence and no direct access to the Home Secretary which, as Lord Ramsbotham observed, will be `fundamentally at odds with the purpose of inspecting prisons' as well as less able to give them the dedicated, effective and single-minded vigilance they need, particularly at a time of strain and overcrowding; calls on the Government to think again and to preserve both the dedicated post of Prisons Inspector and its present incumbent; and reminds the Home Secretary that the present system is working perfectly well.