Expectations for the Military Corrective Training Centre (PDF) (535 kB)

Expectations for the Military Corrective Training Centre (Word) (329 kB)

Welcome to this edition of Expectations for the Military Corrective Training Centre, the criteria against which HM Inspectorate of Prisons inspects the treatment of and conditions for detainees held at the Ministry of Defence’s single central custodial facility. Expectations for the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) were previously incorporated into a set that included Service Custody Facilities. Following our revision of expectations for both types of premises, they now have their own separate editions.

By invitation of the Provost Marshal (Army), we have conducted independent inspections of the MCTC since 2004. The MCTC differs from other forms of detention in some important respects. Both the staff and most of the detainees are service personnel. Many of those detained will resume their careers in the Armed Forces when they are released. However, other detainees are discharged from the services and return to civilian life on release. The MCTC also holds women, children and men, and these Expectations seek to make sure that this is done safely and decently. (Throughout these Expectations we define children as those under 18, in line with the Children Act 1989.)

This edition brings Expectations up to date so that we can continue independently to assess outcomes for detainees held at the centre, in accordance with the UK’s responsibilities as signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

These Expectations are informed by and referenced against international human rights standards. The standards are drawn from those which generally apply to all places of detention and also those which are specific to the Armed Forces, in particular Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)4 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on human rights of members of the Armed Forces.

We have retained four healthy establishment tests, but our previous ‘resettlement’ test has been renamed ‘rehabilitation and release planning’, because this more accurately describes its content. For the first time we have included expectations for judging the effectiveness of leadership. We will make judgements when leadership has an observable impact on outcomes for detainees, and any judgements we make will relate to how leadership supports or obstructs the achievement of other expectations within the centre.

I hope that these latest Expectations will support the MCTC in its efforts to provide good outcomes for detainees.

Charlie Taylor

HM Chief Inspector of Prisons

July 2021