Time out of cell

Children spend most of their time out of their cell, engaged in activities such as education, leisure and cultural pursuits, seven days a week.

59. Children spend at least 10 hours out of their cell during the day, including at least one hour in the open air.

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

  • Children are out of their cells for a minimum of 10 hours each day, including some time in the evening.
  • Children are never subjected to a regime that amounts to solitary confinement.3
  • Children have access to a wide range of constructive and age-appropriate activities while they are out of their cell.
  • Children have access to properly equipped association areas, which are in good order, with seating, tables, games and a quiet area.
  • The regime of the establishment encourages children to make the most of their time there.
  • Daily routines for children are predictable. Normal times for association and time in the open air are publicised and consistent.
  • Activities are not cancelled without good reason. Reasons for cancellation are explained to children in advance.
  • Children are given the opportunity and are encouraged to spend at least one hour a day engaged in outdoor physical activities.
  • Children are unlocked at the published times.
  • Timetabling arrangements maximise the use of resources and staff time and allow training and education activities to take place with minimal interruptions.

Cross reference with: equality and diversity; separation/removal from normal location; health services; safeguarding of children; daily life – residential services; relationships between staff and children.

3 The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners define solitary confinement as confinement ‘for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact’.

60. Children are actively encouraged to spend time out of their cells usefully and feel safe to do so.

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

  • Children are properly supervised by staff when out of their cell, and feel safe. Staff monitor and take appropriate action to find out why children do not participate in out of cell activities and provide them with support.
  • Staff engage actively with children during association and time in the open air, and attempt to improve the quality of their free time.
  • Effective use is made of sports and games-trained staff to offer additional recreational activities.
  • Children are encouraged and enabled to socialise with one another and take part in recreational activities that interest them.
  • Activities are not constrained by overly restrictive security.
  • Children are encouraged to give their time to benefit others, for example in peer support roles.
  • Waterproof coats are available.
  • Children do not have to choose between access to the open air and other important regime activities.

Cross reference with: education, skills and work activities; bullying and violence reduction; security; equality and diversity; daily life – residential services.

61. Children have good access to a well-equipped library and are encouraged to use it frequently.

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

  • Children can use the library at least once a week.
  • Children use the library frequently for leisure reading, social interaction and to support their education programmes.
  • Library materials are age-appropriate and the quantity and quality are sufficient to meet the needs of children.
  • Library materials reflect the diverse needs and abilities of all children and are available in a range of formats and languages.
  • Children have access to additional learning resources, including IT and the internet.
  • Children not on normal location, for example in segregation and health care, are provided for.
  • Children can make reasonable requests for specific learning materials.
  • Library sessions are rarely cancelled and if they are, children are told why.

Cross reference with: equality and diversity; daily life – residential services; time out of cell.

62. Children benefit from physical education and fitness provision that meets their needs.

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

  • All children have good access to timetabled physical education each week (in addition to optional, recreational physical education) that includes a range of indoor and outdoor activities.
  • Children receive an appropriate and timely induction into physical education and fitness activities.
  • Children engage safely in a range of physical education, fitness and associated activities, based on an effective assessment of their needs.
  • Physical education, fitness facilities, resources and an inclusive range of activities meet the developmental and educational needs of children, including those who have health needs, regardless of ability.
  • Physical education and fitness staff have appropriate qualifications and expertise.
  • Children can shower in good quality facilities after each session, and feel safe in doing so.
  • The physical education and fitness provision is effective at improving and maintaining the physical fitness of children.
  • There are opportunities to gain meaningful qualifications.
  • Physical education staff liaise appropriately with health services, substance misuse services and other departments and agencies involved in the care and resettlement of children.
  • The physical education facilities are in good condition and are well supervised so that children feel safe when using them.
  • There is appropriate provision for children who have little or no previous experience of formal physical education.
  • The range of activities caters for all levels of abilities and fitness.
  • Children’s views on physical education are sought and acted on.
  • There are opportunities for children to take part in leagues and competitions with community-based teams.
  • Those children who refuse to attend physical education are monitored robustly and reasons for refusals are sought and acted on.
  • Outside exercise is only cancelled in extreme weather conditions.

Cross reference with: early days in custody; daily life – residential services; safeguarding of children; behaviour management; equality and diversity – protected characteristics; health services; substance misuse.

63. Children understand the importance of healthy living and personal fitness.

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

  • Healthy living and personal fitness are effectively promoted to children.
  • Healthy living and personal fitness objectives form an explicit part of training planning and remand management.

Cross reference with: daily life – residential services; training planning and remand management.

64. Children can access creative activities which promote learning, well-being and support rehabilitation.

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

  • Children are encouraged to engage in creative activities to promote more formal learning and boost employability.
  • Children have access to creative opportunities that improve health and well-being.
  • Children are encouraged to engage in creative activities to reflect on their lives and social responsibilities.
  • Art and cultural experiences are used to enhance the prison environment, making it more conducive to rehabilitation.
  • Creative activities are used to help children maintain contact with their families and to promote resettlement into the community.

Human rights standards

Time out of cell
In relation to expectations 59 and 60: Human rights standards state that children’s lives while detained should approximate as closely as possibly life in the community and that children must be allowed to take part in meaningful activities and socialise, including over weekends. Children must be allowed at least one hour in the open air each day (in addition to other activities and time to socialise). All children should be included and encouraged to participate. See HR 12, 47; ERJO 53.3, 76–81; CPT 107–108; EPR 5, 25, 27.

See also human rights standards in relation to expectations 61 to 65/66, relationships between staff and children, safeguarding of children and separation/removal from normal location.

In relation to expectations 61 to 64: The right of each child to rest and leisure and to engage in recreational activities is recognised in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (see CRC 31). Human rights standards require that a range of activities be provided which meet children’s individual needs and promote their health, self-respect and all aspects of their development, including their creative and social skills (see HR 12, 47; ERJO 71, 76–77; CPT 107–108; EPR 27). Children should have access to an adequately stocked library and be encouraged and enabled to make use of it (see CRC 13, 17; HR 41, 62; EPR 28.5; SMR 63, 64). Children should also be able to participate in a range of physical exercise and maintain their fitness (see HR 47; ERJO 76–77; CPT 107–108; EPR 27, 39).

See also human rights standards in relation to expectations 59, 60 and 65/66 and standards relating to health services.