REAL progress has been made at Dartmoor Prison, declared West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox when he visited the jail last Friday. Mr Cox met governor Serena Watts and the chairman of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB), Jackie Sweet, to discuss plans for further development and improvements at the prison and the important role played by the IMB. Mr Cox said: ?Dartmoor Prison has made real progress in recent years and I was delighted to be able to discuss how to build on this success. ?I was particularly pleased that the chairman of the monitoring board was able to join us and offer her insight into ways on which further safeguards can be implemented to protect the welfare of the prisoners and ensure they do not re-offend.? He also discussed with Mrs Watts the prison?s resettlement unit and what it can do to help Princetown and the local community. The IMB is formed of independent members of the public who monitor the day to day life of the prison and ensure proper standards of care and decency are maintained. Members have unrestricted and confidential access to their local prison at any time and can talk to any prisoner they wish to, out of sight and hearing of a member of staff if necessary.
