Dame Anne Owers

Dame Anne has worked in senior roles in the fields of human rights and justice for many years, including nine years as HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and six years as Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

She was also the National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) for England and Wales, supporting the 1,300 unpaid public appointees who regularly monitor prisons. She is currently Chair of the Independent Custody Visiting Association, a board member of Prisoners Abroad, and a member of the Howard League Council.

In 2024, the government asked her to lead an independent review of prison capacity. The findings of the review were published in August 2025, pointing to damaging consequences of recurrent prison capacity crises.