ACT NPM Guidelines Published

The ACT National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has published its Guidelines this week.

Section 8E of the Monitoring of Places of Detention (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture) Act 2018 (the Act)requires the ACT NPM to develop Guidelines about the way in which it exercises it functions efficiently and effectively.

As required by the Act, the ACT NPM has consulted with the responsible Directors-General for each place of detention and the Chief Police Officer of the ACT on the development of the guidelines and considered any recommendations or advice received during this consultation. These consultations occurred in June 2025 and feedback received on the consultation draft was incorporated where appropriate.

The Guidelines provide for how the three entities that comprise the ACT NPM will work together to exercise our functions as the NPM in a way that is consistent with, and reasonably appropriate and adapted for, implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

You can find the ACT NPM Guidelines here