Security
Security and good order are maintained through attention to physical and procedural matters, including effective security intelligence and positive relationships between staff and detainees. Detainees are safe from exposure to substance misuse and there are effective drug supply reduction measures.
23. Detainees are held in a safe environment where security is proportionate.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- There are no weaknesses or anomalies in the physical and procedural security of the establishment.
- Security is proportionate to risk and not unnecessarily restrictive.
- Staff provide good supervision of detainees during association and movement around the establishment.
- The risk of detainees absconding is well managed, including while they are being escorted.
- Restraints are only used while detainees are being escorted and when it is justified by individual risk assessment.
- Detainees’ immediate needs are met while they are being escorted.
- Risk assessments for unsupervised temporary release are comprehensive and take account of detainees’ offending behaviour.
- Any incidents on temporary release or failures to return to the establishment are thoroughly investigated.
- The criteria to ban or otherwise restrict visitors relate only to abuse of visits and individual restrictions are reviewed regularly. Decisions show that proper consideration is given to any potential impact on the detainee’s mental health or their risk of self-harm and suicide.
24. The well-being of detainees is safeguarded by effective intelligence and proportionate searching measures.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- Effective and responsive intelligence and security measures are in place.
- Decisions based on intelligence are proportionate to the risk posed and take account of the reliability of the evidence. These decisions are consistently and promptly actioned.
- Security systems identify current and emerging threats.
- There are effective liaison arrangements with the local police.
- There are systems to identify any threats from detainees with extremist ideologies.
- The approach to security respects cultural, racial and religious difference and actively promotes tolerance and acceptance of difference.
- Detainees are only strip-searched when there are evidenced or justified security concerns. Strip-searching is appropriately authorised with a written record of the justification and authorisation. It is carried out in private by more than one member of staff. Staff conducting the search are the same sex as the detainee. Children are only ever strip-searched in the presence of an appropriate adult.
- Children and vulnerable adults are never strip-searched using force.
- If children are strip-searched, they understand why and the process for doing so. They are offered help from an independent advocate to record any questions or concerns they have about why they were strip-searched, or how it was carried out.
- Detainees are told that their rooms or personal property are being searched and the rooms or property are left in the condition in which they were found.
- Routine searching is not excessive.
- Searches are thorough and systematically recorded.
- All searches are undertaken with respect and as privately as possible.
25. Effective processes are in place to protect detainees from misconduct or illegal conduct by staff.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- Detainees know how to make confidential complaints about staff and are confident that the system works effectively.
- Detainees and staff know the identity of the manager at the establishment responsible for corruption prevention.
- Immediate protection from reprisals is provided to detainees and staff who report misconduct or ill-treatment by staff.
- Reports of misconduct and ill-treatment are investigated by a competent and appropriately independent authority.
- Where inappropriate or abusive practice is found, staff are held to account.
- Staff know about whistleblowing arrangements and feel confident about using them.
26. There is an effective drug supply reduction strategy.
The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.
- There is a strategic approach to reducing drug and alcohol supply which involves staff from across the establishment. This approach reflects emerging trends and there are effective links with the support offered to detainees to stop or reduce their use of alcohol or drugs.
- Where problems are identified, remedial action is promptly taken and evaluated.
- Compulsory drug testing (CDT) takes place in a suitable environment and is conducted consistently in line with protocols which make sure procedures are valid.
- Detainees who test positive or refuse to be tested on CDT, or who are involved in suspected drug-related incidents, are referred to substance misuse services.