The Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector are independent oversight bodies established to uphold the human rights of people who are or may be deprived of their liberty. This web page provides information about the Office and its functions.
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How does the Office of the Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector work?
The Office of the Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector combines two independent bodies that work together to protect people from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The office undertakes preventive monitoring, issues advice and recommendations, and engages cooperatively with stakeholders to improve conditions and treatment.
Each office has a specific focus:
- Custodial Inspector staff lead and report on examinations of the treatment of people deprived of their liberty in prisions, youth detention centres, and in police and court custody.
- Tasmanian NPM staff lead examinations of the treatment of people deprived of their liberty in non-custodial settings. This includes secure mental health facilities and hospitals, out of home care, aged residential care, and disability support services that use restrictive practices.
The Tasmanian NPM also prepares policy advice and leads civil society engagement on behalf of the joint office.
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The law
Both the Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector are established under laws that give them powers to undertake independent examinations, publish reports, and make recommendations to strengthen the conditions and treatment of people deprived of their liberty.
The Tasmanian Parliament established the Tasmanian NPM under the OPCAT Implementation Act 2021 (Tas) (external link), while the Custodial Inspector is established under the Custodial Inspector Act 2016 (Tas) (external link).
These Acts set out the functions of each body, and give them the powers they need to fulfil their functions.
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Who is the Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector?
Dr Grant Davies is the Tasmanian NPM and the Custodial Inspector. He was appointed by the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, in July 2025. Dr Davies brings to the role over 25 years of experience in public service, with a strong background in complaints resolution and health oversight.
Dr Davies is also the Tasmanian Ombudsman, and the Health Complaints Commissioner. Further information about these roles and Dr Davies is available on the Ombudsman Tasmania website (external link).
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Confidentiality and protection from reprisals
The Office operates independently and confidentially. Any identifying information obtained while exercising its functions cannot be published without consent from the person identified.
People who interact with Office staff, who provide information, or who are suspected of doing so, are also protected from any reprisals under section 36 of the OPCAT Implementation Act 2021 (Tas).
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What is preventive monitoring?
Preventive monitoring is focused on preventing future occurrences of torture and ill-treatment. It does not respond to past incidents or complaints.
The Tasmanian NPM and the Custodial Inspector have a mandate to proactively prevent torture and ill treatment happening in the first place. This includes making recommendations for the improvement of conditions and treatment of people within these places where people are deprived of their liberty. The NPM is focused on making systemic improvements in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
Preventive visits can take a number of forms and may be broken down into ‘themes’.
A visit may:
- cover many themes at once and take several days, or may focus on one particular theme, taking less time
- involve external experts, such as specialist medical practitioners
- be announced or unannounced.
The Tasmanian NPM may also perform follow-up visits. The number, type, length and theme of a visit will be dependent on the resources and program of the Tasmanian NPM at any given time.
The Tasmanian NPM does not investigate complaints. If you have a complaint, please contact the Tasmanian Ombudsman (external link).
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Community engagement
Community engagement is an important part of the Office of the Tasmanian NPM and Custodial Inspector’s work. It includes educating people about torture prevention and human rights, sharing outcomes and learnings arising from Office activities, and receiving feedback and information from people that may inform future work.
A Civil Society Advisory Council has been established to enable community engagement in the Office's strategic decision-making, and to obtain direct feedback on its activities and reporting.
Information about the Office’s community engagement activities and the Civil Society Advisory Council is available here: