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3. CUSTODY AND GOOD ORDER
Security and Safety
3.1 There have been no suicides in the past year and ACT procedures have been initiated on six occasions in that period.
3.2 In 2005-06 there were two serious prisoner-on-prisoner assaults and between 1 April 2006 and 30 September 2006 there had also been two. There were 14 minor prisoner-on-prisoner assaults in 2005-06 and four between 1 April 2006 and 30 September 2006. There had been one serious prisoner-on-staff assault in 2005-06 and none between 1 April 2006 and 30 September 2006. There were five minor prisoner-on-staff assaults in 2005-06 and two between 1 April 2006 and 30 September 2006.
3.3 In the event of a display of violence taking place, an "Interpersonal Violence Form" is completed. The form is a robust and structured method of establishing details of what happened.
3.4 The weekly "Tasking Group" is a meeting attended by all First Line Managers. It is chaired by the Deputy Governor. The purpose is to ensure a flow of information on security matters. It is attended by representatives from Health, Industries, Residential, Operations and Intelligence.
3.5 In general the prison is pro active in dealing with security matters. Operations Group meet every prisoner on admission, and this is a good way of informing prisoners what to expect. Prisoners consistently said they felt safe.
Prisoner Complaints Procedure
3.6 The opportunity for prisoners to access Complaints Forms is inconsistent and requires to be reviewed. Ownership of the complaints process also needs to be clearly identified.
Prisoner Disciplinary System
3.7 The Orderly Room is held in the manager's office in the Segregation Unit (Devon Hall). During Orderly Room proceedings this continues to be an office with the manager working and using the telephone. This is an unnecessary distraction and the office should not be used for other purposes for the duration of the Orderly Room.
3.8 Disciplinary hearings are usually chaired by a Unit Manager. Proceedings were observed by inspectors. Prisoners involved were treated in a respectful manner and were given appropriate information about the process. They were given opportunities to ask questions and make statements on their own behalf. The disposals made were appropriate. Security unit staff are responsible for placing the information on the Prisoner Record System and the paperwork is then stored in the general administration area.
3.9 The office is spacious and the adjudicating manager sits at one end of a rectangular table. The clerk sits to the manager's right and the prisoner sits at the opposite end of the table from the chairperson. Two members of staff sit behind the prisoner. Apart from the distractions noted above the proceedings are carried out appropriately and according to SPS guidelines.
3.10 There are an average of five reports per day. An analysis of the paperwork indicates that there is a lack of detail provided, with the "record of adjudication" often left blank. Otherwise, the paperwork was appropriately completed.
Night Duty
3.11 One First Line Manager and eight Operations Officers cover night duty. Inspectors spent some time in the prison during the night. Night duty instructions were found to be very detailed and of a reasonable quality, although some of the instructions were old and out of date. The night duty instructions should be reviewed to ensure they are up to date and user friendly.
3.12 Officers were competent and confident when asked about their responsibilities. They had a good grasp of emergency procedures. It was noteworthy that none of the night duty staff in attendance were trained in first aid. Inspectors were informed that this was not a consideration when rostering staff for night shift. This should be reviewed.
3.13 When medical advice is needed during the night, the manager on duty will contact the duty doctor who will provide advice over the telephone or come to the prison if necessary. If a prisoner needs to go to hospital staff will call an ambulance or take him in a prison vehicle, depending on the advice from the doctor. This very rarely happens.
3.14 There are no major concerns relating to how night shift is managed.
Segregation Unit
3.15 The Segregation Unit (Devon Hall) has 14 standard cells and one 'silent' cell. The observation arrangements within this silent cell are not good. The Unit held ten prisoners at the time of inspection, four of whom were from other prisons. All paperwork was correct.
3.16 The Unit has two sections. There is a treatment/medication room and gymnasium available for the Unit as a whole. There are also showers within each section although one was out of commission due to snagging work still being carried out. One section also has an interview room for social work, chaplains, etc.
3.17 A kitchen area is used by staff to serve prisoners' food. Three exercise areas were in use during the visit: all were clean and clear of obstacles. Prisoners are offered daily exercise on a rotational basis.
3.18 There are two holding rooms (separate from prisoner cells), for prisoners awaiting attendance at the Orderly Room.
3.19 Food is delivered by the kitchen to the Unit and served on plates by staff. All utensils and cutlery were clean and appropriately stored when not in use. All prisoners have access to a telephone at published times.
3.20 All cells were clean, tidy and well decorated. All empty cells were clean and fully kitted out for new arrivals. One of the cells which had been used by a prisoner on a dirty protest had been cleaned by the industrial cleaners and redecorated. The cell still had a very strong, unpleasant smell.
3.21 Prisoners have the same access as other prisoners to the canteen and most sundry purchases.
3.22 Staff work from a central console. The rear of this console houses a staff kitchen and a disabled toilet area. There is one other office used as the Managers office, and for the Orderly Room.
3.23 The whole area is bright and well lit, although when electrical lights are switched off there is little or no natural light at all. Staff leave windows open to assist ventilation.
3.24 Inspectors attended four case conferences: the purpose of these case conferences is to move prisoners on from the Segregation Unit. A key part of this is that the sending hall retains ownership of their prisoners during their time in the Segregation Unit, and contact is maintained with personal officers. The way this is managed is an area of good practice.
3.25 The structure of the case conferences was good: all relevant areas were represented; those who cannot make the meeting supply relevant information to the personal officer; the officer introduced everyone in the room; and the prisoner was present during the entire process. He was given ample opportunity to comment. The prisoner's input was listened to and decisions made and recorded. One major obstacle for prisoners moving on from the Segregation Unit is that they might then have to share a cell. This was a significant factor in the decision making process.
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