Custodial the
Review
The Custodial Review Informing the Prison, Customs & Immigration and Police Services
In this issue
Edition 66
Eoin McLennan-Murray, the President of the Prison Governors Association.
Body worn video AKA ‘Headcams’
Dyslexia behind bars
Project supports offender management practitioners to help create better futures
Sports-based learning: Helping prisoners to become ‘Fit for Release’
www.thecustodial.co.uk For thousands of products, services and links
10 steps that can save you money and your reputation Every organisation faces one challenge to their IT security position – the user. It doesn’t matter how much security training and advice a person is given - if they want, and can, do something then they will. Unfortunately, a user with admin rights – wittingly or unwittingly – is akin to a loose cannon.You just don’t know when or where they’re going to strike, and the results can be devastating. And once a problem occurs it all too often turns into a downward spiral that can bring down your reputation and your business. This article outlines 10 logical reasons why every organisation should develop a policy of least privilege. Reason 1: minimise risk In a business environment you really need security decisions to be made by IT, governed by business requirements, when it comes to the desktop. Many users don’t understand the implications of configuration changes, such as files within the Windows folder and protected parts of the registry. If these are altered – either accidentally or maliciously, it can make the system unstable and increases the risk of data leakage. Simply, if IT doesn’t know what applications and changes users have made or installed, then they can’t be sure that sensitive data isn’t being redirected into the hands of an unknown third party. Reason 2: improve end-user experience Security is often seen as preventing users from doing something, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Instead, by adopting a well planned and implemented least privilege policy, you can actually improve the user experience. Following the example of devices like the iPad and Android Smartphones, which operate in a curated environment, organisations can catalogue a portfolio of programs and applications that are needed, and can be supported. Doing so will help track changes to the system and keep the core system configuration secure. When users make system-level changes, they can weaken the endpoint or introduce application clashes which can have serious consequences. It also makes it harder to
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support the enterprise as, if a problem does crop up, IT often get a nasty surprise. Reason 3 : move to a managed environment By locking down machines, so that users can only change their desktop configuration and not the core system, you can save time and money – by reducing support costs, lost productivity from network downtime, and the expense of data breach management. However, to make sure that this facilitates and not hinders the enterprise, thought needs to be given to how the environment will be managed moving forwards. Software distribution, and patch management, at the simplest level could be through Group Policy Software Installation or perhaps System Centre Configuration Manager. Reason 4: reduce support costs It’s a fact that secure and managed systems are cheaper to support. This turns security from an initial expense into an enabler. Reason 5: encourage users to have fewer devices More devices introduce complexity resulting in higher costs. Unfortunately, users needs don’t always match business needs so proper justification for using a device – especially if it’s personally owned, must be demonstrated. If you offer a company car you wouldn’t expect to supply a VW Golf for the week and a Porsche for the weekends! Even if it makes the employee’s life easier - if it’s going to be too expensive for IT to support, then it’s impractical and needs to be deterred. Where a device is to be allowed then it must comply with company policy and a clear strategy of who is responsible for support developed. Reason 6: maximise investment in active directory Most organisations will have Active Directory but few realise it can help achieve centralised management and allow a business policy driven architecture. If you’ve got it, why not use the facilities built into the product to enable a more efficient and productive IT system? That said, there are limits of what you can do in terms of control and security so you might look towards complimenting AD with a third party least privilege solution. This will give more granular control, allowing admin rights to be easily removed without adversely impacting end users and ultimately productivity. Reason 7: regulatory compliance Demonstrating compliance can prevent regulatory fines - and a least privilege approach
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is at its core. Many compliance codes state, either implicitly or explicitly, that users should have the minimum amount of privileges to complete every day tasks. For example, PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) states that the organisation must ensure privileged user IDs are restricted to the least amount of privileges needed to perform their jobs. Reason 8: demonstrate due care This goes hand in hand with reason 7 as a least privilege approach helps demonstrate to customers that you’re taking all reasonable steps to protect their information. Many organisations and public services have been publicly named and shamed for data breaches which damages reputations and erodes customer confidence. Of course, this also impacts on the profitability of the organisation. Reason 9: improve network uptime Many organisations fail to link lost productivity with admin privileges. By running a least privilege environment, you not only improve stability of the desktop but of the entire network. This is down to various security interdependencies - for example, if a machine is infected with a virus it could issue a DOS (denial of service) attack undetected by the user, with the resultant flood of traffic over the network causing routers and switches to grind to a halt, eventually bringing network services to their knees. Reason 10: reduce complexity Systems are complex enough without users making additional unauthorised and uncatalogued changes. Logically, organisations should take five steps to keep things simple:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
A strategy to implement the right type of security Remove admin privileges from the majority of users Give users the flexibility to use the line of business software that they need Identify any users that may need additional rights to install approved software Keep things as simple as possible, to remain secure, but ultimately enable the business to move forwards.
Introducing a least privilege approach really comes down to a logical decision – do you want the best of both worlds? By Paul Kenyon, COO, Avecto www.avecto.com
Waste-2-0
Benefits over Waste Disposals : Waste Disposal Units and Macerators – Problems due to : • Hygiene • Smells • Infestation • Blocked drains + Maintenance • Poor food waste control. • Cost – Water/Sewer £7.7k pa* *Typical WDU, can use up to 36 Litres of Water per minute. If used for 4 hours per day, yearly consumption = 3,144,960 Litres (Olympic Swimming pool = 2,500,000 Litres). Typical water costs = £7,735 pa in Water and Sewerage. [Cost of Water supply and Combined Sewerage service = £0.246p per litre used.]. Vs Composting : On / Off Site Composting Nice idea, but... • Limits on where “compost” can be used • Infestation – smells and difficulty in processing certain foods • Constant management • Expensive – capital equipment. • Hygiene & Safety issues. • Storage of Waste Food product on site. Client experience with Waste 2 0 – Environmental benefits. We return around 56,000 litres of water to the water table from the food digesters. By not having our food waste collected to be disposed of elsewhere, we are saving around 7,800 truck miles per annum which gives us an impressive reduction of 6,123 tonnes of CO2 per year thus significantly reducing our carbon footprint. We have obviously reduced the cost of our general waste collections by digesting all of our food waste; therefore, we have reduced our tonnage by 70 per annum, saving around £10,500pa on this alone. The Waste20 machines have also improved our whole waste stream separation activities. We are recycling more cardboard and plastic as a result, and the income from this has increased from £5,000pa to in excess of £22,000pa. Key aspect is that it is just plain simple to use, by Staff – and can be kept indoors – secure. How is Waste 2 0 affordable ? : • Reduced collection costs / Landfill tax • Reduced Water / Energy Consumption • Reduced Staff & Management costs • Reduced Pest Control / Cleaning services • Reduced Waste consumables cost + More efficient Foodservice operations - Less wastage and Reduction in all aspects of Food cycle costs. + Increased effectiveness in Reclamation of other products – Card, Paper, Tin, Glass, Plastic, etc.
Whitco Catering & Bakery Equipment Ltd Tel : 01832 735007 Fax : 01832 734433 Email : info@whitcoltd.com www.whitcoltd.com
Fire out in 10 seconds... Since the launch of the Hydramist kitchen fire suppression system at the Building Research Establishment in February this year the interest in the product has exceeded all expectations. The 15AMPU is the first high pressure watermist kitchen fire suppression system in the world to gain LPS 1223 accreditation from the LCPB and a place in the Red Book. The unit has recently been installed in The Clink Restaurant in Cardiff. Working with a number of other contractors and the Ministry of Justice the unit was donated by Fireworks to help the restaurant get off the ground but also allowing them to keep the environment and workplace safe. The Clink Cymru opens to the public at the end of September 2012 in what was the old Staff Mess. It is located just outside the prison grounds. Catering for a total of 96 diners at a time they will enjoy meals prepared and served by up to 30 category D inmates of HMP Cardiff and HMP Prescoed, all of whom are part of an initiative that aims to help rehabilitate prisoners through front-of-house and chef training The produce sold in the restaurant will be bred and grown at H.M.P. Prescoed, a 440 acre farm near Cardiff where prisoners are trained in agricultural and farming skills. All income generated from the restaurant will go towards the running and operating costs which will be supplemented by kind donations from private individuals and philanthropic businesses. The benefits of the 15AMPU over other fire suppression systems on the market now gives commercial catering managers a choice on the
The Clink restaurant Cardiff
type of systems that they can install within their kitchens. It also gives the insurance companies advising on the risk from fire an alternative. Watermist is not a new technology. This method of fire suppression has been in use for many years since its ability to rapidly extinguish fires in ships engine rooms was first discovered. The technology is also currently used in prisons throughout the UK as Fireworks have supplied their portable fire suppression and modular hose reel units equipment for use on wings for many years. The technology is highly efficient as watermist rapidly extinguishes the fire, removes the smoke, saves life’s and leaves only a small amount of water to clean up. Therefore the cell can be back in use rapidly. Now this technology is being brought into the kitchen where down time is far more of a crucial issue. Until now commercial kitchens have used dry powder or wet chemical fire suppression systems. Whilst effective at initially suppressing and extinguishing the fire these traditional systems offer little or no cooling of the blaze therefore resulting in a prolonged suspension in production due to fire damage. Additionally these chemical systems leave a large amount of potentially hazardous residues on surrounding areas which must be deep cleaned before food processing and cooking can recommence. This leaves an establishment without a functioning kitchen until the clean up has been completed, which could take days. This is not a situation that can be tolerated in a prison kitchen! The solution to these problems is the new HydramistŽ 15AMPU. The unit contains a high pressure pump connecting the kitchen water supply to a misting nozzle positioned above the fire risk. This simple concept results in a system that can run for as long, or short, as required- yet doesn’t cause lengthy kitchen downtimes because it uses small amounts of clean water. Protecting deep fat fryers
The 15AMPU unit is small, its no bigger than a domestic wall mounted boiler, its made of stainless steel so it is easily cleaned. It can be mounted in the kitchen or in an adjacent room. It will automatically activate when the nozzle above the fire source reaches a pre determined temperature. The integrated pump activates at the same time it shuts off the energy source to the cooking appliance. It can also be manually operated and once activated the unit can only be stopped manually. The steam created then smothers and extinguishes the fire in less than 10 seconds. After extinguishing the fire the mist continues to cool the oil and hot surfaces to below ignition temperature so in less than 30 seconds re-ignition of the fire isn’t possible. It will not flood the kitchen or cause damage to surrounding equipment because all the unit uses is small volume of finely atomised water. These water droplets also trap the smoke particles that can damage other equipment and which also contaminate the whole kitchen. Next to no clean-up is necessary as only clean water is used in the extinguishing process. This allows the kitchen to be back in operation extremely quickly (in most cases within minutes). A further advantage of this system is that smoke is prevented from spreading throughout the kitchen and into other areas. The unit is now being fitted into commercial kitchens, fast food outlets and restaurants across the UK and offers catering managers a choice over the wet chemical alternative. For more information on the 15AMPU please contact Fireworks Fire Protection on 01953 458 420, fireworks@fireworks-ltd.com or www.15ampu.com or www.fireworks-ltd.co.uk
Project supports offender management practitioners to help create better futures
As Gordon Ramsay demonstrates on Channel 4’s Gordon Behind Bars, giving prisoners a taste of success through their own efforts is a powerful tool on which to build self respect and hope that their new life might be an alternative to the one they’ve lived so far.
In line with this ambition, Skills for Justice has secured funding through the Employer Investment Fund (EIF) to investigate the impact that this will have on the offender management workforce.
But while the Michelin-starred chef lays down the law, it is also important that they have the support and expertise of offender management practitioners to provide role models and help them develop the right skills for employment.
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This is why Skills for Justice is working with employers to help them support people in custody or on community payback schemes to take part in meaningful work. There are currently almost 88,000 prisoners* in England and Wales at a cost of over £2billion to the taxpayer*; giving them the skills to do constructive, paid work once they’re released makes sense. Recently the Government announced its ambition to increase and improve opportunities for offenders to carry out activities for the benefit of their local communities and help them develop skills for paid employment after completing their sentence.
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Skills for Justice aims to: Develop a profile of the skills and knowledge required in today’s offender management workforce and priorities for action, in order to help them in achieving the Government’s ambition to reduce re-offending.
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Map employers’ current learning provision against any skills and knowledge gaps to establish what learning can be potentially shared and what provision is missing.
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Pilot a UK-wide network that will support offender management employers across the public, private and third sectors in sharing and benefiting from information and good practice on learning and development that is for a the common good.
Director Nick Skeet said: “Employers in Offender Management will benefit from joining this members-only network as they will be able to share their learning resources and Page 24
gain access to other employers’ resources. This will result in them all being able to make better use, at reduced cost, of information, expertise and materials. In a time of squeeze on training budgets and an environment where there is increasing transition and churn in the workforce, this makes sense where employers recognise the mutual benefit of sharing. “Efficient ways of using transferable approaches to growing and recognising a skilled workforce will be a key component in achieving the Government’s ambition to reduce re-offending.” By 2020, the Government aims to make prisons real places of work, where prisoners will work 40 hours per week developing new employment skills and knowledge that will enable them to secure employment on release. Employers working with offenders either in the community or custody will have developed the commercial and management skills to develop innovative initiatives that will ultimately reduce the number of those re-offending. Project updates will be included in future Skills for Justice E-briefings. For further information or to register interest in the project, please contact project manager Fay Nicholls * Figures provided by The Ministry of Justice
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HMP Inspectorate Reports on HMP Buckley Hall and HMP Everthorpe HMP Buckley Hall has a number of strengths and is carrying out some useful work with prisoners, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an announced inspection of the training prison in Lancashire. Buckley Hall has managed to retain its function for the past seven years, providing a welcome measure of stability. The establishment was taken over by the public sector following a market testing process in 2000. This status was recently confirmed in 2011 when the public sector again won a subsequent competitive market test. The new service level agreement was introduced in November 2011. This inspection found the establishment to be settled, with outcomes for prisoners that were reasonably good or better. Inspectors were pleased to find that:
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the number of violent incidents were low and those that did occur were addressed rigorously and supported by meaningful interventions;
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self-harm incidents were low and support structures to assist those in crisis were generally effective;
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most prisoners were positive about staffprisoner relationships;
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the provision of health care, and particularly mental health care, was good;
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the range of vocational training and education on offer was good, with literacy and numeracy very well supported in workplace settings;
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the achievement of accredited qualifications was generally very high, and most work placements were meaningful and evidenced a good work ethic;
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the establishment was committed to improving and promoting equality, but progress was slow; and
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plans were in place to reorganise the approach to offender management, and this, combined with quite good resettlement and reintegration planning, suggested the potential for real progress.
However, inspectors were concerned to find that:
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use of segregation was higher than expected and a significant number of prisoners sought protection in segregation prior to onward transfer, which required further attention; drugs were a problem, with a high
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random testing rate, though the prison was beginning to tackle supply routes and programmes to address demand were well integrated and responsive;
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most of the wings were grubby, toilet screening in shared cells was often poor and access to kit and clothing was problematic; and greater leadership was needed in delivering commitments and plans across the diversity strands.
Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said: ‘I welcome the Chief Inspector’s findings that Buckley Hall continues to have significant strengths in key areas. Despite a difficult period of market testing, the prison continued to provide good outcomes for prisoners. The Governor and her team will now take on board the recommendations of the report, including those around drugs, and look at how further to improve. ‘We are committed to tackling the issue of illicit drugs across the estate and will continue to work with the police and other authorities on prevention strategies.’
HMP Everthorpe needed to improve work, education and training opportunities for prisoners, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced short follow-up inspection of the east Yorkshire training jail. HMP Everthorpe was last inspected in 2009. This inspection found the establishment was generally safe and decent, but while progress had been made in relation to safety Page 26
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and respect, some aspects required ongoing attention. Insufficient progress had made in purposeful activity and in work to help prisoners resettle back into communities on release. Inspectors were pleased to find that:
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management oversight of substance misuse had improved;
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major improvements to health services had been made, although some aspects of governance needed improving;
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a new violence reduction policy had been developed, but needed to be further embedded;
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significant progress had been made to promote diversity and there was a clear and well developed strategy; and
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offender management and the range of offending behaviour programmes were adequate, and some improvements to tackle drugs and alcohol use had been made.
Nick Hardwick said: ‘Overall, this is a satisfactory report that highlights a number of key strengths and some useful work being carried out with prisoners. The establishment had coped well with the uncertainties of the market test process and was actively implementing plans that would bring improvement. However, some initiatives were quite new and needed time to establish themselves. A new focus on the promotion of equality and environmental standards was required, and the availability of drugs in the prison was something that needed to be addressed with renewed determination.’
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However, inspectors were concerned to find that:
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although consultation with prisoners about suicide and self-harm arrangements had improved, the lack of a definition of what constituted a serious incident of self-harm meant inspectors were not fully assured that all such incidents were investigated;
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time out of cell had reduced, with no analysis of why this had happened;
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there were too few work, training and activity places, compounded by poor use of those available;
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cells designed for one person were still being used for two and were too small;
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a long period of major change had led to weak governance of resettlement; and
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too many prisoners were waiting for specialist housing advice, and too many were released without suitable accommodation.
Nick Hardwick said: ‘Overall, sufficient progress against the recommendations we made in 2009 had been made in relation to safety and respect. However, more needed to be done to make some important improvements to purposeful activity and resettlement, which given HMP Everthorpe’s role as a training prison, are clear priorities.’
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HMP Open Estate –Inspection Report The Open Estate is functioning well following the closure of Noranside and the reorganisation of the prison into one site, says HM Chief Inspector of Prisons following the first full inspection since 2008. In his report which makes a number of recommendations for both the establishment and the Scottish Prison Service, Brigadier Hugh Monro also says that more needs to be done to improve the manner in which prisoners are prepared for release. The main findings of the inspection report which is published 5th September 2012 by Brigadier Hugh Monro are:
• • • • •
The Open Estate is safe, with appropriate arrangements for responding to emergencies, and where force is rarely used; Prisoners are treated with decency, humanity and with respect for their legal rights; good relations exist between prisoners and staff, and prisoners are able to receive visits from family and friends; Good access to healthcare is provided, and the Open Estate ensures that prisoners can practise their religion – but the multi-faith centre should be renovated or replaced; An intervention should be provided to address the risks posed by prisoners with a history of domestic violence related offending; and
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HMP North Sea Camp - a successful open prison HMP North Sea Camp had made improvements at a time when its population had changed significantly, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced short follow-up inspection of the Lincolnshire open prison. HMP North Sea Camp was last inspected in 2009. Inspectors found then that much of the accommodation badly needed refurbishment. There was a high proportion of short-sentenced prisoners whose needs were not matched to the regime. Prisoners, however, felt safe and there was sufficient activity for them. This inspection found that sufficient progress had been made in three out of four healthy prison criteria: safety, purposeful activity and resettlement, but that more needed to be done in the area of respect. Nick Hardwick said: ‘The isolated location of North Sea Camp, along with the poor state of the built environment, undoubtedly create barriers to what can be achieved there. Nevertheless, it continues to fulfil its function as an open prison relatively successfully. In order to build on the incremental progress we saw, the prison needs to give greatest attention to the areas of diversity and resettlement.’ Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said: ‘I am pleased that the Chief Inspector has noted the achievements of the Governor and staff at North Sea Camp in providing a safe, secure and purposeful environment despite the physical challenges the prison presents. ‘The Governor will work to use the recommendations in the report to build on the progress that has already been made and address concerns raised around the areas of diversity and resettlement.’
Prison vocational training should be reviewed.
Brigadier Monro says: “In summary this was a good inspection. However, there are a number of communication issues which suggest to me that prisoners in the Open Estate are not as involved in the day-to-day running of the prison as they could be. Given that they are soon to be released, a greater feeling of trust between staff and prisoners should be encouraged. “I am worried about the general feeling of boredom and poor quality of recreation. Except for the gymnasium there is very little for prisoners to do, particularly on the evenings and weekends,” he added. “I noted that the Governor and his staff refocused Castle Huntly on the outcome of preparing prisoners for being returned to the community. Although this process is still ongoing, there is a strong impression that all activities are aimed at rehabilitation and this has required a number of changes, most obviously in education. It is clear, however, that the principle offender outcome activity is work placements in the community and that other activities within the prison are relatively limited.” Background: • The Inspection was a full inspection conducted from 23-29 April 2012. Previously the prison was fully inspected in 2008. • Upon publication, the full report can be found at www. scotland.gov.uk/hmip. A summary report of the inspection is also available. • The role of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland was created in 1981. It is the aim of the Inspectorate to carry out a full inspection of each of Scotland’s 15 prison establishments as required. Each full inspection normally lasts one week. Following each inspection a report is prepared, which is submitted to the Scottish Ministers and published. • In addition to the programme of full inspections, follow up inspections, and focused inspections - which normally last one or two days - are undertaken. The Chief Inspector produces an Annual Report which is presented to the Scottish Ministers and laid before Parliament. For further Information or a copy of the report contact Lynda Nicholson, HMIP Tel. 07789 617 172 lynda.nicholson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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Prison library of the year shortlist announced
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The Prison Libraries Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals today announced the shortlist for the first ever Prison Library of the Year Award.
HMP Manchester is a large, high security prison. Manchester’s entry showed lots of engagement with other agencies working in the prison, and a good range of library activity and innovation.
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HMP Perth is one of the largest prisons in Scotland, housing local short-term prisoners, remand prisoners and long-term category A prisoners. Perth’s entry was well thought out and showed a good range of activity with plenty of case studies.
wide range of activities for such a small prison and showed good connections with other agencies inside and out.
The award recognises the outstanding work of library staff in prisons and Young Offender Institutions. It celebrates the innovation and transformation that is carried out in prison libraries every day and highlights best practice.
Sue Wilkinson, Chair of the Prison Libraries Group says, “We’ve had excellent entries for the award. Prison librarians often work in very difficult conditions, but these entries show that this is no barrier to developing high quality library services. It’s an impressive shortlist, and it’s going to be a very difficult task to pick a winner.”
The shortlisted prison libraries for the 2012 award are:
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HMP Lewes is a local prison in East Sussex housing remand and convicted adult male prisoners and remand young offenders. The judges were impressed with the entry as it contained lots of good case studies with positive evidence of staff and customer interaction.
The award is sponsored by Bright Books, W.F. Howes, The Reading Agency and former CILIP President Margaret Watson.
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HMP Long Lartin is a high security dispersal prison in Worcestershire with a population of 620 male prisoners. The entry gave a good example of the range of activities that can be provided by a prison library despite the restrictions of a high security setting.
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HMP & YOI Low Newton is a small prison in North East with a population of 282 female prisoners. This entry demonstrated a
Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons publishes report on HMP & YOI New Hall HMP & YOI New Hall was a safer and more decent prison which was helping women to return to the community without reoffending, publishing the report of an unannounced full follow-up inspection of the women’s prison in West Yorkshire. He warned, however, that the treatment of a small number of the most challenging women was not acceptable. New Hall was last inspected in 2008, when inspectors found the prison had improved, but there was plenty of scope for further improvement. This inspection found that considerable improvement had taken place and the prison now provided good or reasonably good outcomes for the women it held.
The winner will be announced on 7 November 2012 at the Prison Libraries group Autumn Training Event which is taking place at the Macdonald Manchester Hotel and Spa, in Manchester.
effectively to a high level of need;
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there had been a significant reduction in self-harm and the number of women on suicide and self-harm procedures since the last inspection;
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staff-prisoner relationships were much improved and more women said they had a member of staff they could turn to with a problem;
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the external environment was generally clean and tidy and dormitories were no longer used;
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the mother and baby unit was an excellent facility;
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women had a reasonable amount of time out of their cells each day and there was plenty of good quality activity provided, which focused on employability;
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there was good offender management of women who were high risk, prolific offenders or serving indeterminate sentences; and
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the prison worked closely with community-based services to support the high proportion of women with drug and alcohol problems.
Inspectors were pleased to find that:
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The winning library will receive a prize package which includes the Margaret Watson Trophy, certificates for all staff (including prisoner orderlies) books and audio books and an author visit for their library.
women said they felt much safer at the prison, due in part to much better reception and first night procedures within a more supportive environment;
However, inspectors were concerned to find that:
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there was little bullying or violence;
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mental health provision was good and, commendably, nine in ten uniformed officers had been trained in how to support prisoners with mental health problems;
the mother and baby unit, though excellent, was underused, and as inspectors have seen elsewhere, one male member of staff was in sole charge at night, which was unacceptable;
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despite good efforts by the prison, 12% of women left the prison without a fixed address;
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the drug treatment system responded
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the prison’s needs analysis identified high proportions of women who had experienced physical or sexual abuse, but its own resources were inadequate to meet the level of need;
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responses to women whose behaviour caused concern were excessively punitive with too little attempt to tackle the underlying causes;
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many women said drugs were easy to obtain, and diverted medication was also a problem;
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there was little attempt to identify and meet the specific needs of just under 10% of the population who were aged 18 to 21; and
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separation visits, when women had a last chance to say farewell to their children who were being taken for adoption, sometimes unacceptably took place in public in the visits hall during main visits periods.
Nick Hardwick said: ‘Overall New Hall has improved. Despite a constantly changing population with high levels of need, most women are held safely and respectfully and given effective help to return to the community without reoffending. However, the treatment of a small number of women who combine the most challenging behaviour with the highest levels of need is not acceptable. There are other relatively small groups of women who have untypical needs which are not being met. The progress the prison has made as a whole should provide a foundation from which to address these remaining concerns.’
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Dyslexia Behind Bars: Wacky Jackie’s back and launched her report at Middle Temple inn by Senior Officer Amey (Retired) I was recently asked by Jackie Hewitt-Main not only to attend her book launch, but to give a 5 minute talk, and then write a report about the book launch ‘Dyslexia Behind Bars’ 4 years on.This report has been 6 years in the making. Jackie, who herself has overcome the problems that dyslexia/dyspraxia bring, went behind the walls, bars and locked doors of Chelmsford prison to work with prisoners within. Jackie opened the launch by showing a short PowerPoint presentation showing all the prisoners that she has worked with since the beginning. She spoke about each one, how they started the course and the changes that they make during the course and where nearly each and every one of them are now. That is no mean feat in the prison environment. She also spoke about how proud she was of each one and their input to the course and indeed this book, for where would she be without them. All prisoners involved in the project improved their literacy skills to a level of reading and writing advanced enough to extend their choices of leisure activities and prepare more effectively for their lives outside. They would always be dyslexic, but now they could achieve in their own ways. Jackie spoke about the follow up support she personally gave several prisoners and their families after release from prison and how it has been instrumental in giving them the confidence to take on new careers and lives, transforming their futures. She then went on to explain that of the 17 prisoners from her first two groups who were released four years ago, only 1 prisoner has reoffended. This represents a 5.9% proven reoffending rate within 4 years, compared to the national rate of 55% within 2 years, or 68% within 5 years this was taken from the Ministry of Justice. Clearly this sample is too small to be statistically reliable. However, it is a useful indicator that the reoffending rate of these project participants is less than a tenth of the national average. She went on to explain an example of this reduction of recidivism of a the Custodial Review
case of three serial offenders who had each been in and out of prison over 40 times each!!! Since their release 4 years ago, none of them had reoffended. We were then informed that of those 17 prisoners first released, 4 were now employed in trades (2 building, 1 fork-lift driver, 1 film producer) 2 are employed by charities, 2 voluntary workers, 2 have started they own businesses, 4 are currently unemployed, 1 is at University, doing an degree, 1 returned to prison. This was encouraging information to say the least. I felt this was a positive way forward for the prisoners and the Ministry of Justice. I have been in the Prison Service for 19 years and I have seen ‘Projects’ come and go without any positive outcome for the prisoner. I have to agree in the change of the prisoner’s behaviour as I have witnessed it firsthand. Mentoring of one prisoner by another prisoner, who had personal understanding of hidden disabilities and its effect on lives, is a powerful tool for the advancement of both. Couple this peer-mentoring with multi-sensory learning; the progress prisoners make raises their selfesteem and their capacity to live an honest working life. Lord Addington attended the launch and also agreed to say a few words regarding, ’Dyslexia Behind Bars’. He spoke candidly about his diagnosis of dyslexia when he was at school and university. He said that he was the first one in Scotland to go through university with a scriber on exams. He said that he was lucky to have parents that knew the system and how it works and that was how they managed to get the help he needed. Many parents do not know the ‘system’. He thinks that Jackie has the right determination to change the way people are diagnosed and to help them learn. It’s not all about helping the ‘prisoner’ it’s also about helping those people that are possible on the beaten track to ‘prison’. ‘We are not stupid or thick, we are
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dyslexic’ the parting words before he had to head off to another engagement. It was then up to me to speak about the arrival of Jackie on a very busy Induction wing. For those who do not have any idea about prisoners, let alone Induction I will explain. When prisoners first come to the prison they go through the process of reception and then they are taken to the Induction wing to spend the first 3 days of prison. So you can understand that when we say busy, we are dealing upwards of 120 prisoners all wanting help and support and also having exercise and association. Jackie turns up at a very busy time and manages to grab me in-between the chaos to enlighten me on why she was there. I explained that she could sit in the wing office and I would see her when I had time. She did wait and she waited a long time. When I managed to grab a coffee and sit and talk to Jackie I was amazed at the enthusiasm she displayed when talking to me. I must say in that short time she managed to weave her spell on me and off she went to interview prisoners. Even though she managed to weave a spell on me, my staff were not so
taken. They thought that this would be ‘another of those projects’ that gets the prisoners involved then ends, not fulfilling the expectations of the prisoners. This again did not last long, Jackie made sure that she spoke to the staff, explaining why she was there and how much it would help the officer, prisoner relationship. There was no concern of her disappearing; she was there every day scheduled and then to our amazement she started to turn up at weekends, spending time with the staff at our breaks! Jackie spoke to one of our prisoners who had been in and out of prison 40 times and was a very prolific self harmer who could shut down the wing and the prison when he self harmed. Jackie spoke to this man and within an hour she had made him a changed man. He came and told me, that woman has made me realise that I’m not thick or stupid, I just learn in another way. For the rest of his sentence he continued to work with Jackie and he did not self harm. He has also managed to stay out of prison for over four years. I continued to have prisoners tell me that Wacky Jackie is great and when is she in again. I continued to allow Jackie to work on the wing, often forgetting that she was not a prison officer, as she was there so often. Jackie also gave me ‘mentors’. Prisoners who have been trained by Jackie to become mentors, helping out other prisoners who may have learning difficulties or who were struggling to cope on the wing because they could not read and write. This made the wing a calmer place to live and work. Next up to speak was Annika Boreson Hallsvik who told us that she first met Jackie at a convention where Annika was promoting the ‘Lexion computer programme’. Jackie won Annika over with her enthusiasm to help people learn. So that evening they had dinner, with Jackie explaining continues overleaf
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Dyslexia Behind Bars continued what she does and what she wanted to do for people who were dyslexic or had learning difficulties. Those people who had been written off by schools/colleges/universities. From then onwards they became firm friends, exchanging emails and phone calls. Annika came over to visit the prison and was shown the work that Jackie was carrying out and its effect it had on the prisoners and the wings. Annika then invited Jackie over to Sweden and they visited one of the Swedish prisons where Jackie took upon herself to tell the education tutor that they were not using the Lexion programme in the manner it was meant for, Jackie was not being rude; she is just a person that wants to show the world how to help those with learning difficulties to learn. Annika told us that she wanted Jackie to return to Sweden to launch
the programme over there. (Why is it that other countries are asking for Jackie’s help, but in this country she is fighting for funding) Jackie has written this book, Dyslexia behind Bars’ and launched the book using her own monies. Annika thanked Jackie for all the help she had given her and that she was excited for the future.
Working with Jackie has kick started our education system in the way that we work with students with learning difficulties, they can now have hopes, dreams and ambitions of what they can do after school and they do not have to end up in prison? She has inspired us to really make a difference in our community.
Jacquie Buttriss (ghost writer) read out a mother’s letter regarding her son. Her son had been in and out of prison over 40 times. Since working with Jackie & the mentors, he has not been back inside. There was a polite silence throughout the reading and it touched all our hearts.
The last two speakers were two prisoners that had taken part in the mentoring 4 U,
I met Laura Jewiss five years ago when she came onto my wing at Chelmsford prison, to make a program for Teachers TV. Laura was shadowing Jackie for two days, watching her methods of multi-sensory and mentoring, she also spoke to the prisoners about their school time and what challenges they had had with teachers in the past. The teachers who had just left them at the back of the class and did not do any work with them. Laura told us how she went back to her school with new enthusiasm about what she’d seen with Jackie, Laura had discovered that up to 30 to 40 students each year had problems with learning and did not go on to further education or any type of education. She discussed with other teachers a way forward to help these learners, she also discussed it with the students at the college to see what they needed help with. What shocked Laura was when she researched the first year of the students coming into secondary school 15% of them came into school at 11 with the reading age of 7 and 64% of learners had a two year delay in their reading age, this was not acceptable. In terms of achievement the government set targets levels at primary and then levels at 14 years, so in 2009 the first literacy pod was set up and in that first-year 10% students actually made achievements above target the government sets and now in the third year 37% above target set by the government. In their first year only 40% of students went on to take GCSEs but by third-year that it is now 61% taking GCSEs. They have an attendance rate of 95% and students are now going into apprenticeships and also going on to further education. the Custodial Review
Colin, who became the head of mentors, said “ Working with Jackie has changed the way he lives his life, learning and becoming a mentor has taught him empathy and that he is now more open”. He was able to identify prisoners who needed help, while working on the induction wing, and pointed them in the right direction. He felt that he was offered the trust and support of the prison staff, which is something he has never had in all his times in prison. Due to Jackie becoming ill, Colin ran the mentoring 4 U at Wayland for a year and a half, helping 70 prisoners to read and write, and mentoring 6 prisoners to take the project forward all on his own. This extended the reach of the project across to another prison. Since leaving prison he is still helping exprisoners to pass their building site construction skills test (CSCS). Wayne spoke about the change mentoring 4 U had on his life. Having left prison he began voluntary work helping ex-prisoners to learn their IAG course. Whilst supporting them he identified one of the students who had learning difficulties. This changed not just the students life, (Marcia) but also his own. Wayne and Marcia began a relationship and they moved in together. Wayne continues to help Marcia whilst she continues with her education. Having taken part and also writing this report I found that it has one main theme. This being how Jackie has touched many people’s lives, not just in prisons, but also in the education system. If her way of learning works, which has been proven, then we all need to support her in her journey to take on the world. To some this is far beyond her reach, but to those of us that know and have worked with Jackie, she won’t accept any less.
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CPD3000 System
Networked Surveillance • Monitor an entire prison from a single location • Detects both 2G & 3G mobile phone activity • Licence Free Radio link with a max range of 5km • Easy installation • Can identify phone usage down to an individual cell • Provides reports on how, when and where phones are used • Different types of detectors can be used on the same system allowing for new emerging technologies – Future proofing To combat the use of illicit mobile phones in prisons, PDA Electronics has developed the multi-purpose CPD3000 System which can monitor large areas for active cellular devices from a single location. The system is already in use in numerous UK prisons and is constantly evolving as new threats emerge. The CPD310 hub (shown above), can link link to remote detectors via radio to distances of up to 5km . All remote alarm information is logged and a special purpose printer provides a hard copy output. Alternatively the logged data can also be written onto a memory stick allowing quick computer analysis of reported alarms and augments traditional intelligence gathering methods. The CPD3000 is designed for both permanent and/or temporary installations. With no wiring issues to worry about, CPD351 detector units can be quickly located in areas where early detection of cellular activity is required. A CPD351 can be adjusted to monitor cellphone traffic from a complete wing to just a few cells. To hep identify areas of activity more than one unit can be used in a wing to help triangulate the source of the mobile signals. The CPD351 can also be located outside to cover areas such as market gardens close to the perimeter fence. The system can then detect outside sources liaising with prisoners via a cellphone prior to throwing contraband over the wall / fence. For monitoring individual cells, the CPD356 is an ideal product. This is used to monitor known offenders and let staff know instantly when a phone is being used. This enhances the chance of recovering the unit before it can be hidden. It’s magnetic fixing allows the unit to be placed on a cell door just above the bottom gap and is designed to detect GSM signals leaking from under the door. To camouflage to the unit a small cover can be placed over the unit which is painted to the same colour of the door.
Our Products CPD351 Remote Detector Main detector unit can be set to monitor an entire wing for mobile phone activity. The detection range (sensitivity) can be adjusted to suit local requirements Using directional antennas allows the unit to monitor specific areas. Internal rechargeable batteries will give an operational life of better than 4 days on a full charge making deployment much easier. Additionally the unit monitors frequencies from 400500MHz which are used to suppress false alarms generated by harmonics produced by prison radios. The unit is also fitted with anti-tamper measures to prevent unauthorised interference with the detector. CPD356 Cell activity detector Small detector designed to clamp magnetically to a cell door and pick up GSM signals radiating from within a cell. The unit which measures 65 x 90 x 27mm is powered by 2 x AA batteries for up to 1 month of continuous operation. Sensitivity is adjustable to suit conditions. CPD391 Repeater Unit Used when wing construction prevents direct access between detectors and the Hub. The repeater is then located in the roof area to pick up local signals and relays these signals back to the hub via an external antenna. CPD310FD Flash Drive Unit Plugs into the Printer port of the 310 hub and supports the normal printer as well if required. Supports flash drives up to 4Gb. The unit provide complete synchronisation with the hub even when the drive is removed and then later replaced. The FD unit automatically loads the drive with any missing alarms. The generated files are text files (.txt) which allows data to be input into programs like Excel or I2 for analysis. CPD310 Hub Unit The link protocol is specially designed to facilitate high transmission efficiencies which allow up to 200 units to be support from one hub. Multitasking software allows for the reception of up to 15 simultaneous alarm transmissions. Up to 4096 alarms can stored within the hub which can be recalled if additional reports are required. Display: 2 x 16 line LCD (white display on blue background with backlight)
Sensitivity can be adjusted to suit local requirements. The CPD3000 system allows a small team to provide the most intensive surveillance of prisoners and the instant detection of any cell phone traffic. The system is completely modular so can be expanded as and when required. Small portable systems are in use with regional dog teams providing even greater flexibility especially to smaller establishments.
For more details contact:
PDA Electronics Ltd Tel:01494 257911 or email: sales@pdaelectronics.com or visit www.pdaelectronics.com
Battery backed Real Time clock for accurate logging. A plug in Dongle to restrict access to management controlled features. Printer port: Supplies both power and data to attached thermal printer Printer: Thermal printer producing a printout on a 21/4 inch wide (58mm) paper roll. Alarm printout details the time off the event, the detector number, type of alarm, duration of alarm and the signal strength of the detected phone. Each paper roll can hold over 3000 printouts at a cost of less than 50pence.
Body worn video AKA ‘Headcams’ One other area in which headcams have proved their worth, is domestic violence. When used in these situations, early accounts from victims and evidence of injuries can be documented. In the event that a complaint is subsequently withdrawn, the case can still proceed as a victimless prosecution, thereby ensuring that offenders are still held to account. Reduction in Crime Statistics from the Home Office report show a dramatic reduction in crime where officers have used a body worn video system. •Violent Crime –down by 10%, •Complaints against Police –down by 40%, •Wounding – down by 18%, •Reduction of 30% in officer time spent on paperwork. •Incidents resulting in arrests were up by 85% Members of the public are far less likely to make false allegations against staff if they know the interaction between them and the staff member is being recorded.
Optical evidence gathering has been used by the Police since the development of the camera, both for recording incidents and the effects of crime. However since the UK Home Office pilot for Police use of head cameras in 2006, and the subsequent mandatory requirements for these systems were laid out in the UK Home Office Guidance document, a broadening of the uses for these systems have led to some interesting cost savings for users.
The head mounted cam is the ideal position. It sees what the officer sees.
help secure convictions by ensuring offenders and complainants admit to their wrongdoings at much earlier stages in investigations. BWV footage has also been used to disprove malicious complaints against officers. There have been examples of solicitors making complaints on behalf of their clients then immediately withdrawing those complaints after reviewing the footage. BWV evidence has been used in courts to show exactly what happened at an incident. A prepared statement can come across as very clinical and does not convey the emotions and atmosphere at the time an officer interacted with an offender. BWV systems however, can capture those emotions.
Body worn video (BWV), consists of a smaller than lipstick-sized full-colour bullet camera attached to a small, digital solid state hard drive unit. HD quality footage and audio can be stored on the unit and later downloaded to computer or burned to disc. The video and audio data provide an officer’s view of how an incident unfolded, who said what, and what decisions were made at the time. The camera also captures emotions and many small details that can be forgotten during the dynamics of an ?
“I spoke with our Chief about
The use of BWV can dramatically enhance the gathering of primary evidence. The camera can pick up and record everything an officer sees and hears, including details officers could never hope to recall when trying to document events on paper in a statement. There have been countless examples of it being used to
of kit, so much so that the
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the cams, grabbed one and I have worn it every day since - What a difference it makes. I said to my boss that if I had had this since joining, I would have had fewer complaints and more arrests. Great bit local paper picked up on it”. Police Officer (Northumbria) August 2012. Page 14
Staff are aware their actions, language and manner is being recorded and can therefore be reviewed. The system assists in demonstrating the organisations commitment to taking all practical steps to provide a safe working environment. The cost of the units can quickly be recovered by reducing unproductive and unnecessary uses of staff time. For example: reducing stress leave that may be taken as a result of staff being involved in a safety incident; Reducing not guilty and defended hearings; Reducing the amount of time spent investigating public complaints against staff. What to look for and the advantages and disadvantages between ‘chest’ worn and ‘head’ worn systems. The best results are obtained where the camera is worn on the side of an officer’s head. As everywhere the officers head moves, the camera will follow. Many systems provide a number of different attachments and care should be taken to ensure they are supplied in the initial purchase, rather than expensive extras. Then an officer has the choice of where they wish to position the camera. Officers also carry the digital hard drive unit which should have a rechargeable and ‘hot’ swappable battery. A remote switch worn on the chest allows the officer to start and stop the recording, while a visible light indicator enables others to see when the camera is recording or if it’s in standby mode. Where the camera is worn on the chest it has been shown to have much poorer results. The camera has a narrow field of view and the image is often distorted with a ‘fish eye’ look to it. An example of the poorer result would be at close quarters when the camera will only show the offenders chest and not
their facial expressions. Upon download the audio is often ‘out of sync’ with the video too. Other key issues are if the battery cannot be hot swapped, then the unit has to be ‘out of the field’ for lengthy periods whilst it’s being recharged. They must have built-in LCD screens that permit officers to review footage on the street. This feature is valuable during public disorder incidents, as it allows officers to review footage on site to ensure they have the best possible chance of identifying victims, suspects and potential witnesses. Having an integral playback function provides the ability to easily share data, intelligence and information amongst peers and other partner agencies is imperative. A number of manufacturers of body worn systems, in order to save on cost, have ignored this Home Office mandatory requirement from their product and are thus denying users a large part of what these systems are designed to achieve. And still looking to the future, some manufacturers can now stream live video and audio footage (via 3G or Wi-Fi) from a BWV system to a command centre, vehicle or even other agencies in another country. This real time ability will undoubtedly assist in incident management and reducing crime. So selecting a product that supports this is vital. The main benefits of using body worn video technology all result in an enhancement of
staff safety and improved workflow. Examples would be: Reduced staff safety incidents (members of the public far less likely to behave in an abusive /and an aggressive manner if they know they are being recorded). Anecdotal evidence has shown that wearers of BWV systems regard them as a deterrent. So reducing the likelihood of physical harm and resulting mental stress as a result of being involved in an incident. Reduced staff time taken up preparing defended hearing files and appearing in court due to the increase in guilty pleas. This is because the units record exactly what took place so providing compelling evidence of people’s behaviour and actions. A reduction in time spent investigating complaints against staff. Rather than having to interview and take statements from complainants, staff and witness from the outset, the video footage of the incident can be reviewed at the start of the investigation which may enable the complaint to be dealt with immediately. Put simply, a picture paints a thousand words, and visualisation of incidents can aid communication and information gathering across all partner agencies as well as having a direct impact on criminal activity.The possibilities are endless... Adam Liardet. The shoulder mount, not as good for capturing evidence, but can also be mounted on a car dashboard or cycle helmet - This mount is included with the HD System made by Audax.
About the author. The Author is a Director of Audax and has been a worldwide leading light in the headcam industry since 2004. The Publisher does not hold technical information on the illustrated systems, could you please contact Adam directly on the email address for further technical details. Web: http://www.audaxuk.com Email: adam@audaxuk.com
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Sports-based learning: Helping prisoners to become ‘Fit for Release’ Did you know the annual cost of reoffending is the same as hosting this summer’s Olympic Games? Against the backdrop of the London 2012 Olympics and the start of the new prison education contracts, a timely report called ‘Fit for Release’ has been published by charity Prisoners Education Trust, in collaboration with Professor Rosie Meek at Teesside University, exploring how sports-based learning can be used to help reduce reoffending.
example of using sport as a hook for learning at the prison gym at HMP Wandsworth, where literacy and numeracy classes have been embedded in the gym. All of the questions used by the outreach tutor are sports-themed, relating to the interests of the learners. We found this arrangement provides a supportive environment for previously reluctant learners to engage with education, many of whom may have had bad experiences of traditional, classroom-based learning in the past. OLASS 4 also encourages the use of embedded learning. Having a tutor based in the gym also enables them to identify prisoners with higher learning potential and encourage them to consider studying for sports-based courses available in the prison or through distance learning. Going the distance Prisoners Education Trust funds over 2000 prisoners a year to do distance learning courses in subjects and at levels not otherwise available in prison, thus enabling them to progress from the basic skills qualifications gained either in custody or in the community. Sports-related courses are especially popular. In 2011 the Trust funded 162 prisoners to engage in exercise and fitness courses leading to a wide range of gym instructor, personal trainer and sports nutrition qualifications. Sport can also be a hook for higher education as in the academic year 2011/2012 there were 38 prisoners studying for modules as part of the Open University (OU) Foundation Degree in Sports and Fitness. In researching the report, Professor Rosie Meek analysed 314 personal statements from prisoners who had applied to the Prisoners Education Trust for funding for a sports-related distance learning course in order to identify the motivations of prisoners.
Co-authors of ‘Fit for Release’. Left: Prof. Rosie Meek,Teesside University. Right: Nina Champion, Prisoners Education Trust
One of the authors of the report, Nina Champion from Prisoners Education Trust, sets out in this article the key findings, some examples of best practice and identifies some of the report’s recommendations. However for more detail you can read the full ‘Fit for Release’ report which available on the Prisoners Education Trust website: www. prisonerseducation.org.uk. More than just a gym The report finds that sport can be a useful ‘hook’ activity to engage prisoners who are initially reluctant learners. We found a great
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She found that in terms of pre-release motivations the majority of prisoners indicated that undertaking such courses would complement or supplement existing qualifications they had gained and saw distance learning as a progression route. Other motivations included using time constructively (‘I’m trying to make good out of a bad situation’) and improving their self esteem (‘I think this course will help me feel good within myself’). In terms of post-release motivations, over 80% of applicants were motivated by improving their chances of securing employment after release. 18% stated specifically that they were motivated by opportunities in the sector to become self-employed (‘I have found it difficult getting employment with my criminal history
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in the past, if I could complete this course I hope to become a self-employed personal trainer’). A third of applicants reported that they were motivated to help others (‘I would like to be able to help people reach their personal goals’). Furthermore 5% specifically wanted to undertake sports qualifications as a means of reparation for their past crimes and an opportunity to give back to society (‘I want to give others direction not to make the same mistakes as me’). Prisoners also referred to wanting to pursue a career that was meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable (‘It will allow me to do a job I love, I don’t want another meaningless job’). Case study ‘Daniel’ was excluded from school as a teenager, before he was able to gain any qualifications. At the age of 19 he was sentenced and served three years in prison. During his sentence he was funded by the Prisoners Education Trust to do a level three personal trainer distance learning course. Daniel was recently released and is receiving support from the Prisoners Education Trust resettlement project. He is now working as personal trainer in a gym. There wasn’t much to do while I was in prison so I ended up going to the gym and I found it was something I enjoyed. Then I thought I might like to carry it on as job. I had played sports like basketball before when I was younger. I completed a level 2 Personal Trainer course in prison and I liked it but I found the level meant I could only work as an assistant in a gym, not do anything by myself. I realised that I wanted to do more than that, so I decided to do a distance learning course – Personal Fitness Trainer Level 3. My teacher was quite encouraging about distance learning. She showed me the different courses I could do and helped me with my application for funding from the Prisoners Education Trust which I received. After I was released I was able to get a job in a gym because I had a friend who had been through the same thing and who could recommend me. He had been out of prison for a while and had worked his way up to assistant manager at the gym, so he was able to vouch for me. I do one-to-one and classes too. There is potential to do and to earn more. I’m looking to go further and do one qualification per year to further my knowledge and to keep up to date. The more knowledge I have, the more I can help people. My job keeps me really busy so I don’t really think about reoffending or anything like that. My main motivation after
By Nina Champion, Prisoners Education Trust
HMP Lindholme gym
leaving prison was just not to go back and doing sports and fitness has definitely helped. A sporting chance Given that we found 82% of prisoners applying for sports-related distance learning courses were interested in working in the sports and fitness industry, the report asks: ‘How well does prison education prepare prisoners for employment or self-employment in this industry?’. The report details findings based on an analysis of job adverts for personal trainers, fitness instructors and sports coaches. We found that for personal trainer roles:
• Nearly three quarters of employers (73%)
• One in five (18%) wanted their potential personal trainers to demonstrate excellent customer service skills.
• One in five (18%) wanted evidence of good communication skills.
The report also details research we did with sports coach employers about their attitudes to recruiting ex-prisoners. Despite recognising that some offence categories would exclude some ex-offenders from a career in sports and leisure, the report finds that employers, particularly those running sports projects for young people at risk of crime, clearly recognised the benefits of employing former prisoners:
• Of those, over half (62%) required the
‘We run social inclusion programmes and these guys speak with knowledge and understanding about how it really is and the consequences associated with this type of behaviour’.
• 12% wanted candidates to have a first aid
‘This helps us as an organisation to engage with hard to reach young people as the exoffenders have been there and done that’.
required a level three fitness qualification level three qualification to be recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). qualification
• Over a third of employers were looking
a level 1 coaching qualification through the Second Chance rugby and football academy projects. Since his release in 2011 he has been able to find employment doing rail engineering after gaining a rail track qualification in prison. In his spare time he has done voluntary work coaching young people rugby. ‘Rugby is good for you. You have to learn to be disciplined and you have to be disciplined in life too really. Team work as well, like now I work in teams on the rail tracks, so that helped. You can communicate better with people and that’s pretty much what my jobs about, communication, and you learn that in rugby as well – good communication. While I was off work with rail track I was helping kids like young offenders play rugby. With the voluntary work because I used to be a young offender they thought it would be good to help out with the young offenders. It was good for them and good for me, good for everyone’. Breaking the cycle of ‘no experience no job, no job no experience’.
We also discovered that ‘soft skills’ are equally important. For example:
As well as preparing prisoners for careers in the sports and fitness sector, the report highlights that sports-based learning can help develop transferable soft skills that are relevant to other areas of employment.
The ‘Breaking the Cycle’ Green Paper commits to ‘a greater number of employer-led training workshops to increase offenders’ work skills and establish working relationships with employers prior to release’.
• Over half of employers of personal trainers
Case study
At HMP Downview we found they have teamed up with YMCA gyms to help prisoners break the cycle of ‘no experience, no job; no job, no experience’. This is crucial
for candidates with previous experience (36%).
specified that they wanted candidates that were ‘passionate, motivated, ambitious, driven and / or enthusiastic’.
Leon left school with a couple of GCSEs, but was sentenced as a young offender for supply of class A drugs. While in prison he gained
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Sports-based learning continued given that the report finds that a third of fitness instructor employers require applicants to have previous experience. More details of this innovative and effective partnership are in the full report. The future for sports-based learning in prisons As the new OLASS 4 contracts for prison education begin around the country, and as we think about the legacy of the London Olympics, the Fit for Release report makes a number of key recommendations including;
• Providing more high-level qualifications for those undertaking sports-related courses in prison, to reflect the requirements of sports and fitness employers;
• Ensuring that the government’s
‘Working Prisons’ agenda prepares prisoners for customer-facing roles, such as sport and fitness based work,
and also encourages prisons to develop connections with local sports employers;
• Protecting staffing levels and resources
in prison sports departments, recognising the valuable learning and skills work that can take place in prison gyms.
Professor Rosie Meek, of Teesside University and co-author of the report, says: ‘The report is part of a wider body of research that I am undertaking on the benefits of sports-based interventions in prisons. I have found that these interventions are extremely valuable in providing ways for prisoners to gain training, skills and employment and in helping them to form positive self-identities. Government and the prison service should look to implement the recommendations of this report as part of a co-ordinated, prisonwide approach to using sport to reduce reoffending.’
Your views and experiences We are keen to hear from prison staff about sports-based learning in your prison. What examples of good practice can you tell us about? What challenges do you face in providing sports-based learning in your prison? What do you think about the report and the recommendations? Please write to me at nina@prisonerseducation.org.uk. Please remember you can download the full ‘Fit for Release’ report from the Prisoners Education Trust website: www. prisonerseducation.org.uk Nina Champion Learning Matters Project Manager Prisoners Education Trust
Mockery made of “innocent until proven guilty”
Commenting on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons thematic review of remand prisoners, Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: People held on remand awaiting trial are innocent until proven guilty but the findings of this worrying review make a mockery of that principle. It’s clear that people remanded into custody are often held in worse conditions and receive less help and support than those convicted of a crime and serving a prison sentence. An overuse of custodial remand has contributed to a system which in 2011 netted nearly 55,000 people, 11,500 of whom were subsequently acquitted and high numbers received a community penalty when their cases were finally heard in court. The report reveals the impact of this rush to remand on an already over-stretched prison service. Remand prisoners must be held close to local courts and are often housed in large, overcrowded inner-city jails that are ill-equipped to meet their needs. Meanwhile
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sentenced prisoners are shipped from one prison to another, undermining efforts to reduce reoffending.
recommendations and ensure that treatment and conditions for people awaiting trial reflect their status as innocent until proven guilty.
A disproportionate number of women, people from black and ethnic minorities and foreign nationals enter prison on remand. Remand prisoners have an increased risk of suicide and self harm and high numbers have a mental health, welfare, drug or alcohol problem. Despite these concerns, inspectors found that few remand prisoners were aware of the support services available to them and bail information was inadequate in many establishments.
Supported by the Persula Foundation, the Prison Reform Trust is working in consultation with the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) to produce clear and accurate information for people held on remand in England and Wales.
Prison staff had a poor understanding of remand prisoners’ rights and entitlements and little was done to identify or address their specific needs and vulnerabilities. One remand prisoner told inspectors: ‘The staff treat us like criminals. The staff don’t even know who are remanded and who are sentenced.’ In an Olympic year, it is salutary to note that the excessive length and use of pre-trial detention is a major cause of overcrowding in prisons around the world and a key reason for the growth in the international prison population. While length of time on remand is better regulated in England and Wales than in many other countries, and numbers less excessive, it is clear that the government is failing to meet national and international obligations for the fair and proportionate treatment of people held in custody awaiting trial. The government has recently passed legislation to limit the unnecessary use of custodial remand. It should now act urgently to implement the Chief Inspector’s
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IPCC to hold events for Police and Crime Commissioners The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is holding a series of events for more than 100 prospective new Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). The events are being held across England and Wales and are designed to help those standing for election as Police and Crime Commissioners learn about the work of the IPCC. Each event will be hosted by the IPCC Commissioner for the relevant force. It will involve an introduction to the IPCC and its work, an opportunity to hear from the Commissioner and a discussion on how the IPCC and PCCs can work together in the future. Prospective PCC candidates interested in attending one of the events being held in September and October should email pcc-events@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk for further information.
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Contents Issue 66
Editorial Sales Team: Derek Cooper and Tracy Johnson, Tel: 01234 348878 sales@custodialreview.co.uk Administration: Lyn Mitchell
Annual Subscription £30 Free to qualifying individuals 2 News 6
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Eoin McLennan-Murray, the President of the Prison Governors Association
10 Wacky Jackie’s back and launched her report ‘Dyslexia Behind Bars’ 14 Body worn video AKA ‘Headcams’ 16 Sports-based learning: Helping prisoners to become ‘Fit for Release’ 20 10 steps that can save you money and your reputation 22 Fire out in 10 seconds at the Clink
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Project supports offender management practitioners to help create better futures
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More news
The publisher will consider financial reimbursement for relevant articles. If you have an article, or wish to compose one, on a relevant topic then please contact the publisher on stevem@pirnet.co.uk. Its subject to acceptance so please contact prior to starting and will appear on the Custodial website. Custodial Review is now accepting articles from serving officers and staff within the whole custodial industry. All articles will appear on the Custodial website and will appear in the magazine subject to the Publishers discretion. Approx length 1500 to 2000 words. We are also pleased to accept news and information. Please contact the Publisher, Steve Mitchell, stevem@custodialreview.co.uk or on 01234 348878 for more details.
Design/Production: Amanda Wesley The Publisher holds all copyright and any items within may not be reproduced in any way, for any purpose, without the written permission of the Publisher. This publication contains Crown Copyright material reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen’s Printer for Scotland.
Copyright: the Custodial Review Published by Review Magazines, Clifton House, 4a Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3NF. Tel: 01234 348878 Fax: 01223 790191 E-mail: thecustodial@pirnet.co.uk Website: www.thecustodial.co.uk Advertising Sales and Management by Media Shed Ltd. Contact: Tom Tiffin Tel: 0845 226 0577 Email: tomt@media-shed.co.uk HM Prisons Executive and the Home Office do not sponsor or in any way support this Publication in any substance, commodity, process, equipment, editorial or service advertised or mentioned in this book, nor are they responsible for any inaccuracy or statement in this publication. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the information contained within, this publication is based on submissions to the Publishers who cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The Publishers cannot be held responsible for any article, advertisement, picture or photograph supplied by Advertisers and Associations which may contravene the Official Secrets Act or that have not first been cleared by the Home Office of Prisons Executive, should that have been necessary.
Are you getting your copy? Qualifying individuals within the Custodial sector can receive a FREE copy of the Custodial Review. If you are not receiving your copy, or you have a colleague who would like one, let us know! We will need your name, title, position & FULL address. Custodial Review is THE magazine for the Immigration, Customs, Prison and Police services. It’s growing all the time and more popular than ever. To obtain your copy, or to subscribe please forward your up-to-date information to: The Custodial, Review Magazines, Clifton House, 4a Goldington Road Bedford MK40 3NF. Tel: 01234 348878 Fax: 01223 790191 Email: sales@pirnet.co.uk or go onto www.custodialreview.co.uk and click ‘Subscribe’.
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Most prisons are overcrowded Overcrowding and high reoffending rates are a fact of life in today’s prison system according to an analysis of recent prison population statistics by the Prison Reform Trust. Despite opening two new prisons this year with a capacity of 2,500 places, 59% of prisons in England and Wales are operating at an overcrowded level. Although the growth in the prison population has slowed down in recent months, prompting plans to close HMP Wellingborough, there are still 7,294 more people in the prison system than it is designed and built to hold. On 31 July 2012, there were 77 out of 131 establishments over the Prison Service’s Certified Normal Accommodation: “the good, decent standard of accommodation that the Service aspires to provide all prisoners”. The most overcrowded prison in England and
IPCC statement following verdict at the inquest into Sean Rigg’s death The jury at the inquest of Sean Rigg (1st August) returned a narrative verdict at Southwark Coroner’s Court. The jury found that there were missed opportunities and a lack of appropriate care by both the police and the mental health services, and that the level and length of restraint used was unsuitable and unnecessary. IPCC Commissioner Amerdeep Somal said: “The death of Sean Rigg at Brixton Police Station on 21 August 2008 was a terrible tragedy for his family and many friends. It is clear from the many tributes to him that he lived a full and active life. “Mr Rigg’s death is a symptom of a deeper problem: the link between mental illness and deaths in or following police custody. Sadly it remains the case that in 2011/2012, half of the deaths in police custody were of people with mental illness. They represent a particularly vulnerable group, often, as in Mr Rigg’s case, failed by the people and systems that ought to protect them. As the IPCC has repeatedly stated, police stations are not, and cannot be, a ‘place of safety’ for people with mental health problems. “The IPCC is considering the jury’s narrative verdict and the further evidence which has emerged through the inquest process.”
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Wales, according to official figures, is HMP Kennet. Designed to hold 175 men, it now holds 337. In second place is Shrewsbury (built to hold 170 men, it holds 326) and in third is Swansea (built for 240, it holds 435). For people in prison themselves, overcrowding has a tangible impact. Nearly a quarter of people in prison are being held in overcrowded accommodation, either doubling up in cells designed for one occupant or being held three to a cell in cells designed for two people. Private prisons have held a higher percentage of their prisoners in overcrowded accommodation than public sector prisons every year for the 13 years to 2010/11. Overcrowding makes it much harder for staff to work intensively with offenders on resettlement. Currently 47% of adults reoffend within a year of leaving prison, rising to almost 57% for those who had served a sentence of less than 12 months. Nearly 70% of children aged 10 to17 released from custody reoffend within a year. The National Offender Management Service itself has recently acknowledged that
PRT welcomes appointment of Chris Grayling as Justice Secretary The Prison Reform Trust has welcomed the appointment of Chris Grayling as Justice Secretary and called on him to have the “strength and courage” to build on the important programme of justice reform begun by Ken Clarke. In a speech in 2009 as shadow home secretary, Chris Grayling described Britain’s criminal justice challenge “as part of a broader tapestry of social problems that must be addressed.” Highlighting the rehabilitation of offenders as one of his priorities for law and order, he said: “I have profound concerns about the way in which we deal with offenders, particularly the young and those who arrive in prison as drug addicts. “Our welfare reform and justice plans include radical plans to bring the principle of payment by results to offender management and preventing reoffending. “We are much too inclined to put prisoners into a cell for eighteen hours or more a day, and to do much too little to deal with root problems in their lives - like addiction, lack of education, or mental health problems Page 2
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“imprisonment in and of itself does not reduce reoffending. If anything it slightly raises reconviction rates after release”. The NOMS consultation document goes on to state that “to reduce reoffending, as well as mitigating the negative effects of imprisonment prisons need to focus on four essential factors”, the first being the “provision of a legal, safe, decent and rehabilitative regime supported by appropriate staff behaviours.” Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust said: “Building our way out of the overcrowding problem is not the answer. The prison population can be safely reduced by curbing inflation in sentencing, calling a halt to any unnecessary use of custodial remand and investing in effective community penalties. Court ordered community sentences are more effective, by eight percentage points, at reducing one-year proven reoffending rates than custodial sentences of less than 12 months for similar offences. Rather than falling back on short, ineffective spells behind bars, investment in more intensive community sentences and public health solutions would cut crime and save the taxpayer money.”
or a destructive combination of all three. “We know that the majority of offenders have major challenges in their lives. Many are victims of the social crisis in many of Britain’s communities. “Yet we keep these people in prison, often for too short a time to rehabilitate them, and then send them back to the same streets where they offended in the first place, to find the same pushers who sold them drugs in the first place, and to steal money in the same communities they blighted in the first place. “This has to change: I believe our plans for prison reform - coupled with our plans that would require every prisoner released from prison without a job to join a structured back to work programme - would make a real difference.” Commenting on Chris Grayling’s appointment as Justice Secretary, Juliet Lyon, Director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “It doesn’t make social or economic sense to imprison people only to release them a few months later homeless, jobless and ready to offend again. As the new Justice Secretary has previously acknowledged, the solutions to crime do not lie behind bars but in housing, employment, health and social care and family support. Chris Grayling will need the strength and courage to resist political point scoring, challenge vested interest and avoid undermining a reform programme that is reducing crime and saving money.”
Anti – Barricade Door System The Dual Way Anti – Barricade Door System, designed and manufactured by Cooke Brothers, is a purpose made doorset solution designed specifically to address the needs of today’s challenging mental health and custodial environments, where the risk of ligature or self harm are prevalent. The Dual Way Door System provides unrestricted and immediate access into a room in a situation where a patient has barricaded himself or herself in. Suitable for either new build or for retrofit applications where individual doorsets are required within an existing facility. The Dual Way system utilises a frame within a frame principal, allowing for a standard 44mm or 54mm doorset to be mounted within a secondary high security steel outer frame. In everyday use the standard inward opening doorset operates as a normal door, providing full 90-degree access using a purpose designed full height Anti-ligature continuous hinge. The outer frame preformed steel frame provides rigid support and security by means of heavy duty purpose design mechanical hook bolt locking or with the option of an electronically powered locking system In an emergency or barricaded door situation the doors and inner frame can be quickly released enabling the complete doorset to swing outwards allowing immediate access into the room. Access is achieved by releasing the dual hook locks mortised into the outer frame and operated by unique security profile keys. The Dual Way Antibarricade system has been designed to suit the majority of standard 44mm and 54mm doorsets, including both FD30S AND FD60S options where required. The Dual Way system is adaptable to accommodate alternative door thickness subject to special order. The steel frame can by supplied in a range of standard finishes or with the choice of special options to suit specific requirements. Outer and inner frames are secured with two purpose designed heavy duty mortise hook bolts, which are supplied complete with anti tamper escutcheons and dedicated security keys. Alternative electronic locking systems can be supplied subject to client specification. A wide range of matching Anti-Ligature door furniture and high security mortise locks are available to meet exacting specifications or Dual Way can be supplied ready to receive existing ironmongery. The Dual Way system incorporates unique Interleaf continuous hinges, which incorporates anti-ligature end tips and provides a minimal gap between the door and frame. The full height continuous hinges provide even weight distribution and substantially increased strength over pivoted doorsets, eliminating the potential for splitting under impact or during abuse. The Dual Way system is designed for use with the concealed frame mounted door closing devices. For further information on the DUALWAY Door System please contact the sales team at Cooke Brothers Ltd on 01922 740011. Email: sales@cookebrothers.co.uk or visit our web site www. cookebrothers.co.uk
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Commission on sex in prison
Public slams private prisons
The Howard League for Penal Reform has launched an independent Commission on Sex in Prison. The Commission comprises eminent academics, former prison governors and health experts and will focus on three broad themes:
The Howard League also revealed on 12 July new findings from polling firm Populus that half of the public opposes privately run prisons. While just 37% describe themselves as comfortable with private prisons, 49% are uncomfortable, including 23% very uncomfortable. The gap is even wider amongst women (32% comfortable, 50% uncomfortable) and the electorally crucial over-65 age group (32% comfortable, 59% uncomfortable).
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consensual sex in prisons
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coercive sex in prisons
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healthy sexual development among young people in prison.
The Commission will undertake the first ever review of sex inside prison where it is unlawful to have sex because prison cells are deemed to be public places. There is currently little reliable evidence available on both consensual and coercive sexual activity in prisons. It is not known to what extent men and women who identify as heterosexual may have sex with other prisoners while in prison. The Commission will also consider coercive sex which could involve rape, harassment, intimidation, assault or bribery. The development of sexual awareness and intimate relationships are an integral part of adolescence and the Commission will consider how relationship patterns formed in adolescence can impact on the rest of a person’s life. The healthy sexual development of adolescents in prison warrants further investigation. The purpose of the Commission is to understand the nature and the scale of the issues and problems, making a series of recommendations with a view to making prisons safer. It will also examine how the situation in England and Wales differs from other international contexts, looking for best practice.
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, which campaigns for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison, said: “It’s clear that the public understands the dangers of putting such a key service as the prison system into the hands of unaccountable companies, who are driven by cutting costs rather than cutting crime. The scandal of the Army having to step in to provide security at the Olympics after private firm G4S failed to do its job proves yet again that when private firms underperform the public pays through the nose and safety is compromised. We shouldn’t be allowing the same thing in our prison system.” According to Ministry for Justice figures, the UK has the highest proportion of the prison population held in private prisons in Europe (13%). 2In 2010–11, privately managed prisons received £328m of taxpayers money, up by £19m from 2008–9.
The Commission on Sex in Prison will undertake primary research, conduct visits and hear evidence from experts. It is expected to publish briefings on interim findings and produce a final report at the end of the two year investigation. The Howard League has extensive experience in conducting commissions and inquiries in various areas of penal policy.
When the specific example of G4S running a local prison is presented, just one in four (26%) describe themselves as comfortable with the idea and even fewer (23%) view the service as suitable for a payment by results approach.
Lack of investment in adequate staffing in private prisons means that, as of 31 March 2010, there were 25% more prisoners per officer in privately run compared to public prisons. Populus interviewed 2,117 UK residents online on 4–5 July 2012. As such, all fieldwork was undertaken before details of G4S’ handling of Olympic security were revealed.
IPCC conducting managed investigation into work of scenes of crime officer
worked with the IPCC to confirm that there were no concerns over the man’s work during his short employment with them.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is managing an investigation into concerns about the quality of work and qualifications of a 48 year-old man who worked as a scenes of crime officer.
The managed investigation is examining allegations that the man conducted substandard work, potentially undermining investigations into a range of incidents including suspicious deaths, and had lied about his qualifications when involved in arson investigations.
The investigation, which began in February 2011, covers a time period from 1996 to 2011. The man worked for Staffordshire Police from 1996 to 2002, Northumbria Police for a short period in 2002 and Cleveland Police from 2002 to 2011. Major Incident Teams at Staffordshire and Cleveland Police have been working on the investigation, under the direction and control of an IPCC investigator. Northumbria Police
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The man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in May 2011 and is currently on bail. He was suspended from duty by Cleveland Police in February 2011 and resigned in October 2011.
The investigation has so far examined all incidents that the man was involved with and narrowed the focus down to 90 cases where concerns exist in the Cleveland police force area. One investigation into a death in Cleveland has been reopened as a result of the initial findings of the managed investigation. The families affected by the
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90 cases have been notified about the investigation. Staffordshire police has submitted an investigation report which is currently being considered by the IPCC. IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: “This has been a long running and complex investigation involving three police forces and covering a period of 15 years. We wanted to ensure we reached a stage where we could inform those families directly affected rather than publicise the investigation earlier and possibly create concern for a larger number of people. “The allegations are serious and had the potential to impact a large number of investigations. The number has been narrowed significantly by the work already undertaken. As this remains a criminal investigation we do not intend to go into specific detail about cases at this stage.”
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Eoin McLennan-Murray, the President of the Prison Governors Association Descended from an ancient Hebridian family Eoin started his career having gained a Science degree at Queen Mary Collage and was then planning to go to Canada to study medicine. True to his Scottish roots this decision was influenced by the fact that he would not be funded to study medicine if he did it in the UK, yet he would be funded in Canada! However affairs of the heart and the desire to get married being prevented by a student income persuaded him that it was time to get a real job! When in 1978 a magazine advert for the Assistant Prison Governors course attracted his attention he decided its 3 day interview procedure would be excellent training in itself. So he applied, completed the process and was surprised when he was offered a position on the scheme! His first appointment was at Wandsworth, known locally at the time as the ‘Hate Factory’. It was a baptism of fire and one he describes as fascinating and a fabulously steep learning curve where he discovered that prison is all about people and that having good, experienced and able colleagues around is essential. It taught him that being too idealistic and thinking yourself to be always right has no place in such situations. A self-confessed politically ‘left of centre’ person he gained further Prison Service experience on the two year long Assistant Governors course. It took him onto the wings at Wormwood Scrubs for 3 months as a security officer, also to a role in a psychiatric hospital; he also worked as a probation officer for 6 weeks. He then spent 2 years at Holloway before moving into the high security estate at Gartree at a time when the IRA troubles were at their height. His first No 1 Governor post started in 1996 with four years at HMP Blantyre House where long term prisoners were prepared for release into society. He told me that Blantyre was a very special prison and it had the lowest reconviction rate in the UK, its methods were subsequently cloned into two other establishments. But that’s for another interview! He was a Governor at HMP Lewis the Custodial Review
for 6 years before becoming President of the PGA two and a half years ago. The PGA is an influential mix of association and trade union. In the past it has received funding from the state by the union representation system- although this is now changing. I wanted to know what it does, how it will change, and how he saw the future of the Prison Service. CR What is the remit of the Prison Governors Association? (PGA) EMc It is a registered trade union and an association. It therefore has two roles, one being to represent and protect its members. Its other role is a professional one. Because of the job Governors do we have a lot to offer when it comes to deciding on prison policy. The PGA is conduit to input Governors experience, on what works and what doesn’t, into decision making processes that affect what happens in prisons and beyond. So we regularly brief the politicians, the interest and pressure groups. I’m often asked for papers to be written on prison topics and we give evidence to Parliamentary groups and committees. We have an annual conference and there are usually several resolutions relating to the wider criminal justice system and the policies we feel should be followed. CR What type of examples can you give? EMc We have views on drug issues, short sentences, determinate sentences and much besides. Our viewpoint is the consensus of all our members so can be viewed as being backed by a huge amount of knowledge and experience. CR Is it a closed shop? Can Governors choose not to be members? Is membership open to only Governing Governors? EMc It’s not a closed shop and approximately 95% of Governors are members. Membership is open to all operational managers, so in ‘old speak’ this would be Assistant Governor’s and above- now known as ‘F’ grade. So it’s open to Governing Governors and their management team. CR Why is it needed? I can understand the need for representation for a group of employees. But why have an association? Should a union have such lobbying power? Can it sit with both hats on, one being a union fighting for its member’s conditions and jobs, the other being a pressure group striving for better policies to reduce the amount of people who go to prison? At times there must be a conflict between those two roles! So how does the PGA square that circle? EMc This is correct; we are one of the few unions who campaign for less, by which I mean prisoners! Yet we also campaign for more, Page 6
by which I mean pay and staff conditions! However success in the first will lead to our members losing jobs. We have historically handled this contradiction by having the PGA General Secretary responsible for the union side of the equation and the President takes responsibility for the Professional and campaigning side. Over time those two roles have become somewhat blurred but they are still there and it works. We are involved in campaigning over policy because we work in prisons day in and out, we are best placed to observe or decide if a policy is working or if it’s likely to make a difference. Most prison Governors are so grounded in their work and make pragmatic choices that are based in common sense and not dependent upon dogma. CR I’ve not yet met a Governor whose feet are not on the ground, but they will have already had input into policy by their positions in the Prison Service, how come they need a second bite of the cherry via the PGA? EMc Because the prisons have become far more politicised during the last 15 years. For instance Governments will say they are utilising evidence to back their policies. Short sentences are an example of this. Prison Governors know that short sentences do not work, but the right wing and the press depict criminals and prison in their own inimitable way and so the politicians find it unpopular to exhibit the political courage to stop short sentences. So the populist edicts come down from Westminster and short sentences continue despite evidence from the prisons themselves that they are counterproductive. The PGA provides a non-politicised mouthpiece that puts a different point of view to the political or official MoJ one. CR Can you give an example of this ? EMc Over the last 30 years crime has fallen by 30% and the prison population has doubled. Yet the perception today is that people are more likely to be a victim of crime. That mismatch has come about because of how crime and penal policy is portrayed in the popular press and this has a knock on effect in the corridors of power. The politicians react to this popular misconception by acting tough on crime as an aid to their re-election chances. The PGA works in an attempt to make policy dependent upon the facts, not upon popular misconceptions. Its voice is usually a cry for more pragmatism and common sense, less of a ‘ lock them up ‘ knee jerk reaction to events. For instance we try to put across the over whelming evidence that short sentences are very counterproductive, not only are they very expensive, but it’s been proven that the more people that are locked up, the more will reoffend. So we can spend a lot of money
making the situation a lot worse. The issue for us is convincing the politicos. CR What results have you had from that approach? EMc Difficult to say what we alone have achieved, as we are just one of a fairly large group of organisations who are dedicated to altering government policy in this regard. But if we look at the policies we have been vociferous about, like short term sentences, then the evidence is apparent in a recent policy speech by Ken Clarke where he spoke of his wish to reduce the prison population. It was derailed by this own back benchers, but its progress of a sort. In Scotland they have already changed to a policy of not having prison sentences of less than 3 months. Indeterminate sentences have also been done away with. These were a travesty of justice, the aftermath still remains and we have 3000 people still on these iniquitous sentences and there is a lack of justice for those people. We are also often invited to contribute to organisations such as the BAGS group, who campaign for more work in prisons; we sit on its committee and try to have practical input into its work. We are also regularly contacted by the media and other organisations for a practical approach or comment on day to day prison related matters that come to the fore. Prison Governors tend to have their opinions respected so although we are a small organisation we do punch well above our weight. CR What does the future hold for the PGA in terms of its campaigning activities? EMc It’s very much the existing issues writ large, sentence length has gone up and we feel that this inflation isn’t based on any valid rationale. This is because it’s very hard to get offenders to change their behaviour by punishment alone; lengthening someone’s stay in prison by itself will not change their behaviour. What changes people is encouragement and education. It’s more effective to use positive drivers like this rather than the negative blunt driver of a longer sentence. Politically punishment sounds good and the public like it, but this misunderstanding gets in the way of reducing reoffending. CR The public perception of prison and penal policy hasn’t seemed to have changed much in the last 35 years, its still based upon a mixture of a desire for retribution and an input of Ronnie Barker in ‘Porridge’. If the PGA has been campaigning for change than it must change the public perception. What has it done in that regard, what can it do? EMc We are limited what we can do due to our size, however we have been published widely, but it’s in the broadsheets rather than the tabloids, so our message is not being put
Eoin McLennan-Murray, the President of the Prison Governors Association
across in all sectors of society. The problem being that good stories do not sell tabloid newspapers as well as bad stories do. A piece about someone not offending isn’t as good copy as a reoffender going on a rampage! If the good, solid work that is done in prisons every day could be put across to the general public we would change penal policy quickly because the politicians would follow the trend. I just do not know how to get that news out more effectively. We need to do this as political policy is now too often driven by populist public opinion, not a desire to do what is right, though it may be unpopular in the short term. The capital punishment issue is a good example of the problem. Had we not stopped executing people then can you imagine a modern main line political party putting forward a manifesto that proposed ending it? It would be political suicide.Yet 30 years ago it could be done, it’s because then the public looked up to politicians and the politicians could take decisions that were not popular, but they were correct. We have lost this approach at the very top and decision making on penal policy is wrong as a result. There is too much short termism and populist policy making. What’s needed is an approach by those in possession of the facts and information making a decision for the long term good. Tony Blair could have done this with the huge majority and goodwill he entered government with in 1997. He didn’t do it. Drugs and theft are another similar issue where bold long term thinking is needed, but the politicos lacked the will to take the decisions that would have been unpopular in the short term but would have paid off in the long. The PGA has expressed views on all these topics and continues to campaign for them. Page 7
CR Are directors of the private prisons welcome as members of the PGA? EMc Originally the PGA was ideologically opposed to the privatisation of prisons. We have not had a recent vote on the subject so it still remains our policy. But the practical argument was lost 15 years ago and we have private prisons successfully operating in this country. So we have now found a way of operating with our colleagues who run these establishments. Last year conference voted to allow personnel doing governor grade jobs in the private sector to join the PGA and we have had a steady stream of them join since. The POA did this a long time ago however we took a more principled stance as it is the overwhelming opinion of our members that incarceration is a function the state should carry out. It was not a pragmatic approach and it’s taken a long time to change because of the strength of feeling. MJ What makes you feel good about the future? EMc We have seen a reduction in the size of the young offender population, especially the juveniles. This is good news as keeping them out of the criminal justice system is a good thing. That does not mean they don’t need some form of intervention though. There are other, more effective, ways to handle problem children than putting them through the CJ system.Youngsters need to be guided and to have structure to their lives, the CJ system isn’t the best for delivering that to children. Mental health is another issue there has been progress on, people with mental health issues should not be in the prison system, they should be treated for their condition. This too is being continues u the Custodial Review
Eoin McLennan-Murray continued recognised I am glad to say. CR You have said that ‘a relatively small number of people should be held in prison’ looking at the present prison population and make up how large would the prison population be and what would be its offender composition? EMc To do this we need to compare our sentencing policies with Europe, the westernised democracies. These are not lawless countries and they have infrastructure and establishments as old and comprehensive as ours.Yet they lock up between half and two thirds of the people we do. So following there lead we could reduce our population to 60% of its present size without reverting to a lawless state. Crimes where at present a custodial sentence of two years or bellow is given I would look at whether other interventions would be more effective in punishing and changing their behaviour. CR What would these interventions be? EMc Restorative justice has a lot to commend itself, and when the public see that an offender is trying to put something right and they are putting something back into society they rarely consider that it’s a soft option. Prisoners given
the opportunity would rather put something back too. The idea that community punishment is a soft option is not borne out in reality, I recent survey done by the Howard League and the PGA found out that most petty offenders who received a short sentence would rather do the time than community punishment. They didn’t consider it a soft option as it was easier just to do the time inside where they can ignore the effects and not have to address the issues that put them there. Putting something back in and facing the consequences in the community they offended against was a lot harder option. CR When you look at the future of incarceration in the UK, what alarms you and what should be done? EMc When you realise that one in 3 of men born in 1953 have an indictable offence recorded against them. And 7.8% of them have served at least one custodial sentence. Then you look at other factors such as the ethnic issue where you are 7 times more likely to be imprisoned. This alarms me because of the damage to those individuals and the ripple effect beyond them into the families and neighbourhoods. This perpetuates the underlying problems and spreads it through
A groundbreaking Prison Radio programme bringing crime victims face to face with offenders is behind a BBC Radio 4 programme ‘The Victim’s Voice’, broadcast on 20/8/2012. Earlier this year a restorative justice based programme produced for Prison Service Radio, a national radio station for prisoners, received a coveted Gold Sony Radio Academy Award. BBC Radio 4 brings a reworking of this to a national audience as psychologist Professor Tanya Byron invites a group of crime victims into HMP Brixton to meet and challenge offenders serving sentences for similar offences. Prisons Minister Crispin Blunt said: ‘We are working to increase the use of restorative justice so more victims can have the opportunity to explain the impact of crime on their lives. With the benefit of over £1m of new money to train staff and volunteers in probation trusts, prisons and youth offending teams we are helping to ensure more of these initiatives are available for victims who want them.’ Research suggests that the vast majority of victims -around 85 per cent- who participate in Restorative Justice schemes feel they have benefited from the experience. It can also be an effective part of reducing reoffending by making criminals see for themselves the consequences of their actions and to make amends.
the Custodial Review
the generations. It damages society long term and we are not doing enough to stop it. The solution to this is to only lock up those that represent a danger to the public. They should be held and resources supplied to help them change so that they can be released into society at some point if and when they are considered safe to do so. Most of the people we lock up are poorly educated, drug using and from socially deprived backgrounds. Sending most of them to prison does not do society any good and costs it la lot of money. When an increasing swathe of the population grow up thinking that its normal not to work, not to be educated, to be promiscuous, drink to excess and to have little or no regard for the feelings, values or property of others then I fear for the future as we will only increase the problems that lead to social division and higher prison populations. Its common sense to tackle this at the root of the problem as it costs far more to investigate, prosecute and lock someone up for 3 months than it does to prevent them falling into a life where they do not share the same values as the majority of their fellow citizens. CR Thank you for talking to the Review.
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