The appointment of a new chief inspector of prisons has been announced by the Home Office.

Anne Owers, the director of the human rights and law reform organisation, Justice, will take over from the out-going chief inspector Sir David Ramsbotham with effect from August 1, 2001.

Anne Owers is a member of the Lord Chancellor's Legal Services Consultative Panel and also a former general secretary of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants.

Announcing the appointment, home secretary Jack Straw said: "I am delighted that Anne Owers has accepted this appointment. I am confident that she will uphold the high standards of integrity, rigour and independence we and the public expect from the inspection of this key public service."

Straw also praised Ramsbotham for the "significant contribution" he had made.