Security

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it:

• There are no obvious weaknesses in the physical and procedural security of the establishment, or there is evidence that weaknesses are being addressed.
• Security is proportionate to risk and not unnecessarily restrictive.
• Staff provide good supervision of prisoners during association and movement around the prison.
• The risk of escape or abscond is well managed, including while prisoners are being escorted.
• Restraints are only used during escort when justified by individual risk assessment.
• Completed person escort record forms provide information which will allow the prisoner’s physical and emotional needs to be met during escort.
• Risk assessments for release on temporary licence (ROTL) are comprehensive.
• Temporary release failures are investigated.

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 made on the basis of intelligence are proportionate to the risk posed and take account of the reliability of the evidence.
• Security systems are sufficient to identify current and emerging threats.
• Systems are in place to identify any threats from prisoners with extremist ideologies.
• The approach to security respects ethnic, racial and religious difference and actively promotes tolerance and acceptance of difference.
• Prisoners are not strip- or squat-searched unless there is sufficient specific intelligence and proper authorisation.
• Prisoners are made aware that their cells or personal property are being searched and cells/property are left in the same condition they were found in.
• Routine searching is not excessive.
• Searches are thorough and systematically recorded.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it:

• Prisoners know how to make confidential complaints about staff, and are confident that the system works effectively.
• Prisoners and staff know the identity of the local corruption prevention manager.
• Immediate protection from reprisals is provided to prisoners 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.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it:

• A strategic, whole prison approach to reducing drug and alcohol supply reflects emerging trends and links effectively with the substance misuse demand reduction strategy.
• Where problems are identified, remedial action is taken promptly and evaluated.
• Mandatory drug testing (MDT) takes place in a suitable environment and is conducted consistently in line with protocols which ensure validity of procedures.
• Prisoners who test positive or refuse to be tested on MDT, or are involved in suspected drug-related incidents are referred to substance misuse services.
• 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 mental health or other risk factors, in particular those linked to risk of self-harm and suicide.