This Memorandum of Understanding sets out how HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority’s Independent Custody Visiting Scheme intend to work together to fulfil their common purpose of monitoring the treatment of detainees and the conditions of detention in police custody centres in Scotland. Both HMICS and Independent Custody Visitors are members of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanism, a group of bodies tasked with independently monitoring places of detention under the UN’s Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.