Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Incumbent Adrian Usher since April 2023; 1 year ago (2023-04)
Appointer	Secretary of State for Justice
Term length	3 years
Inaugural holder	Sir Peter Woodhead KCB
Formation	April 1994; 30 years ago (1994-04)
Website	www.ppo.gov.uk

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) is a public body, appointed by the Secretary of State for Justice. The PPO carries out independent investigations into complaints and deaths in custody. The detailed roles and responsibilities of the PPO are set out in their Terms of Reference.^[1]

The PPO investigates:

• Complaints made by prisoners, young people in detention, offenders under probation supervision and individuals detained under immigration powers;
• Deaths of prisoners, young people in detention, approved premises’ residents and detained individuals due to any cause; and
• Deaths of recently released prisoners (except homicides) that occur within 14 days of release from prison.

The PPO’s remit covers prisons and probation areas in England and Wales. The PPO’s remit also includes the immigration detention estate throughout the UK and those under immigration escort anywhere in the UK and internationally.