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ORDER

PSO 1810Page 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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Alan Pritchard Tel: 02072176727

PRISON SERVICE ORDER

Maintaining Order in Prisons

1.Introduction

The Prison Service has a responsibility to keep all those who work, live or visit prisons safe. Although, in the context of prison life, many things can influence the maintenance of order, everything must be done to maintain order and control. This PSO relates to the male estate; the women’s estate has produced its own protocol.

This PSO sets out mandatory requirements.

2.Responsibility for maintaining order in prisons.

2.1Area Managers must implement Population Protocols for prisons within their area.

2.2Population Protocols must be agreed with and copied to the Head of Population Management Unit.

2.3 Establishments must issue local guidance, which makes clear to all staff the requirements of the Prison Service Order and their individual responsibilities in maintaining order.

2.4 Area Managers must have in place a system for monitoring stability in establishments. This system, which will be auditable, must apply to all Category C establishments; however Area Managers may also wish to formally monitor stability in other establishments.

2.5.Governors must develop a local strategy for the management of prisoners whose behaviour is difficult or disruptive. (PSO1700 - Segregation)

3. ProtocolComponents

3.1.The Area Population Protocols must include instructions on the following:

3.2.a) Initial allocation

b)Progressive Transfers

c)Discipline and Security Transfers

d)Medical/Healthcare needs

e) Management of prisoners whose behaviour is difficult or disruptive (this includes known major drug dealers).

f) Management of prisoner who are non-compliant and/or violent prior to escort (see annexe B)

g) Short notification allocations from PMU

4.Implementation

In establishments, the Population Protocol must be implemented under the supervision of the Senior Management Team, who must review the performance of the protocol at least quarterly.

Implementation must take account of the needs of individual prisoners, subject to the over-riding need to ensure the safety of the establishment.

This Order replaces IG55/94.

The purpose of IG55/94 was to contribute to the stability of category C prisons. It identified those category C prisoners most likely to present control problems, Score 3 prisoners. It also set the % level of Score 3 prisoners each category C prison should hold and determined the physical security capabilities for each prison.

5.Control Capability:

The design of prisons and the population mix are important factors in the maintenance of good order within category C prisons. Prisons have been given a control capability rating based on their ability to manage prisoners whose behaviour is difficult or disruptive. Control features taken into account include:

• Secure buildings with cellular accommodation

• Buildings with good sight lines assisting supervision

• Secure internal gates and zonal fencing

• Site size and building layout

• CCTV and other visual aids

As a result of the category C Physical Security Upgrade Programme, category C prisons have been assessed as having the following control capability.

Control Capability

Very Good

Good

Medium

Poor

The Control Capability rating determines the maximum number of potentially difficult prisoners each establishment should hold as a percentage of their Certified Normal Accommodation.

The research into the 1994 disturbance at HMP Wymott provided analysis of prisoners more likely to commit disciplinary offences and that a high proportion of such prisoners in any prison will make disturbances more likely. More recent analysis of the disturbances in Wealstun and Liverpool supported the findings of the Wymott research that category C prisoners;

1. Under 25 years of age at conviction

1. Serving a sentence of less than 4 years

1. Currently convicted of Robbery or Burglary

Should be identified as Score 3 and as such must be held within set % limits of a prisons’ Certified Normal Accommodation. These limits are influenced by a prisons’ Control Capability and have been set at:

Very Good18%

Good14%

Medium10%

Poor 8%

It is recognised that some prisons have varying quality of accommodation, e.g. Ranby, or a population mix split of VP and Ordinary prisoners, e.g. Acklington and Wymott. In such circumstances prisons will be able to re-negotiate their % figure with the Area Manager, agreed by the Director of Operations.

Any category C prisoner identified as less than 25 years of age on conviction, serving a sentence of less than 4 years and convicted of robbery or burglary will be assessed as Score 3. This score is to be entered in the “Allocation” section of the “Remarks” field of LIDS as #3

Prisons may hold less than their maximum % of Score 3 prisoners. The maximum % must not be exceeded, except if instructed to do so by PMU following agreement of the Area Manager. Governors of Category C prisons will monitor their own population and alert allocating prisons and their Area Manager if the number of Score 3 prisoners is exceeded. Area Offices must in turn advise the National Operations Unit.

6.Weighted Scorecard

Area Managers, using the Weighted Scorecard, will measure compliance with the KPT on Score 3 prisoners. Establishments will lose points if they exceed their target of Score 3 prisoners, but will score zero if they are under target or have been instructed to exceed their target by Population Management Unit, following agreement with the Area Manager.

7.Stability Audit

There are other factors that can influence control and it is important there is a mechanism for monitoring potential disorder. Area Managers must have in place a system for monitoring stability in establishments in their area. The precise nature of the arrangements, which will be auditable, will be for Area Managers to determine. They must apply to all Category C establishments; however Area Managers may decide to implement the arrangements for other establishments in their area. The Governor will use the Stability Audit information to assess the level of risk. Should the assessment indicate a Medium or High potential of disorder, Governors are to alert Area Office of their concerns and provide details of any remedial action being taken or assistance required. Area Managers may decide to implement similar arrangements in other establishments in their area.

It is expected that Area Managers will respond in every instance of a High Risk assessment. Area assistance may be mutual aid or the emergency transfer of prisoners. Any requests for emergency ”out of area” transfers must be made by Area to Population Management Unit (PMU), who will identify the receiving establishments and arrange transport via PECS. Receiving establishments will treat the transfers as permanent. The F2058 and Inmate Intelligence Card must accompany the escort on all such transfers.

8.Managing prisoners whose behaviour is difficult or disruptive.

IG 28/93 has been withdrawn. Governors must develop a Local Security Strategy for the management of prisoners whose behaviour is difficult or disruptive. Local strategies are to be agreed with Area Managers and must provide individual case management, the aim being that prisoners achieve an acceptable level of behaviour within the holding establishment. Where a transfer to an alternative location is appropriate it must be on a permanent transfer basis. The reasons for transfer and details of individual case management must be formally recorded and accompany the prisoner. It is recommended that local strategies include:

• Positive dialogue

• Use of IEP and compacts and anti-bullying systems

• Sentence Planning targets

• Internal re-location

• Adjudication awards

• Segregation

• In-Area transfer on a permanent basis.

• Out of area transfers (requested by area to PMU) on a permanent basis.

STABILITY AUDIT RETURN

HMP

Week commencing

Annex A

Annex B

Management of Non-Compliant and/or Violent Prisoners on Transfer

Where a prisoner has acted in a violent or threatening manner and/or is refusing to be transferred, every effort must be made to de-escalate the incident and persuade the prisoner to co-operate with the transfer via the appropriate contract vehicle.

Where the prisoner refuses to comply, the Duty Governor/Director must be contacted; he/she will decide where the prisoner is to be located whilst a decision on transfer is made. Any prisoner placed in the segregation unit must be subject to the requirements of PSO 1700.

Once the initial situation has been contained, the Duty Governor/Director must advise the prisoner of the requirement to transfer. Should the prisoner still refuse, the Duty Governor/Director must assess the following:

1. Has the prisoner a valid reason for refusing the transfer? These will be valid only in exceptional circumstances. The prisoner will be required to provide verifiable details, which must be checked prior to his being removed from any draft.

1. If the prisoner has not got an acceptable reason for removal from the draft, then the Duty Governor/Director must discuss with the receiving prison whether they will hold the space until another day when special arrangements may be made with the Prisoner Escort Contractor or if need be a special Prison Service escort can be arranged. Receiving establishments must be advised of the circumstances and agreement reached that they will receive the prisoner under restraint if necessary. The name of the person agreeing to receive the prisoner must be recorded on the F2052 and PER form.

1. If the space can be held, then the prisoner must be given a further order to attend via normal transfer methods. If a refusal is still forthcoming then the prisoner is to be placed on report.

1. The Duty Governor/Director must liaise with the Group Managers/Central Detail, and following a full risk assessment determine if the Prisoner Escort Contractor is to be asked to undertake the transfer. If a special Prison Service escort is to be arranged, there must be specific guidance on the type of escort vehicle to be used and the required staffing arrangements.

1. Where it has been assessed that the Prisoner Escort contractor should undertake the escort, Population Management Unit must be advised of the situation and they will liaise with the Prisoner Escort Contractor to establish when the move can take place and advise the prison accordingly. If the move has to take place before this date, responsibility for the escort will fall to the prison.

1. If during the risk assessment it becomes apparent that the prisoner will need to be moved in a body belt, the escort must be undertaken by the Prison Service.
2. Note:Prisoner Escort contractors are not authorised to use body belts.

1. If the escort is to be undertaken by the Prison Service, the escort staff should ensure they are in possession of three sets of standard cuffs and one body belt (where appropriate).

1. A Healthcare professional must be in attendance, where available, and certify the prisoner “fit for transfer” and assess his fitness for being placed into a body belt if necessary.

1. If the escort is being undertaken by the Prison Service the escorting staff must ensure that all documentation and equipment is available and tested. They must then order the prisoner to accompany them on escort and advise him of his requirement to go. Should the prisoner refuse; the Duty Governor/Duty Director will assess the level of restraint to be applied and the seating arrangements for the escort. If the prisoner is assessed as posing a risk of violence a Body Belt may be applied. Where the prisoner refuses to go, but is not offering violence to staff, double cuffing arrangements must be put in place, in accordance with Function 2 of the NSF.

NB. In contracted prisons, the Controller will authorise pre-planned use of control and restraints, including mechanical restraints.

1. Where the prisoner is being transferred in a body belt, a member of Health Care staff must be present throughout the transfer.

1. The Duty Governor/Controller and appropriate Healthcare Professional must ensure that the appropriate authority forms are completed and signed, In accordance with Chapters 2 and 4 of PSO 1600. The forms must be passed to the escort for transfer with the prisoner to the receiving establishment in accordance with guidelines set out in the National Security Framework document. During the escort, escorting staff must actively review the continuing need for restraints, as per the requirements of PSO 1600.

1. Once the escort is ready to leave, the receiving establishment must be advised and the Police Forces of the Counties the escort will pass through are also advised of the situation, together with the registration and description of the vehicle. The escort should then be despatched.

It is essential that the minimum levels of force are used at all times and for the minimal period of time, but equally so, local prisons cannot allow prisoners to dictate where and when they will be allocated, as this would undermine the purpose and effectiveness of the establishment’s function.

This protocol will be complied with at all times when dealing with the management of prisoners who are violent or disruptive on transfer. In cases where vehicles are not immediately available and need to be obtained, the above processes will be delayed.

Order ref. 237Issued 05/07/06