Daily life

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

• Cells and communal areas are clean, free of graffiti/offensive displays, well lit (including adequate natural light) and well decorated.
• Accommodation meets agreed minimum standards (size, heating, ventilation) and provides adequate space for the number of prisoners held in the cell.
• As a minimum, prisoners have their own bed, chair, table and lockable cupboard and sufficient space to store personal belongings.
• All in-cell toilets have lids and are screened. In shared cells, washing facilities are screened.
• Prisoners have access to drinking water, a toilet and washing facilities at all times.
• Residential units are as quiet as possible at night with appropriate lighting to enable rest and sleep.
• Outside areas are well maintained and clean.

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

• Unconvicted prisoners are not required to share accommodation with sentenced prisoners.
• Young adults do not share cells with adults.
• Prisoners only share cells following a suitable risk assessment process.
• Staff respond to emergency cell call bells within five minutes.
• Prisoners have a courtesy key to their room.
• Observation panels in cell doors remain free from obstruction.
• Prisoners know the local rules and routines, which are applied openly, fairly and consistently, with no discrimination.
• When decisions are conveyed to prisoners, appeal arrangements are explained and made available.

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

• Prisoners can shower or bathe in private every day.
• Prisoners are provided with basic hygiene items for their personal use.
• Clean bedding is provided for each new prisoner on arrival and can be replaced or laundered weekly.
• Mattresses are replaced when needed.
• Where night sanitation arrangements exist, access is prompt.
• Prisoners have access to sufficient cleaning materials to keep their cells and communal areas clean.

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

• Prison issue clothing is not undignified, fits and is in good repair.
• Prisoners are provided with enough clean underwear and socks to be able to change them daily.
• Prisoners are issued with enough warm, weatherproof clothing and shoes to go out in all weather conditions.
• Prisoners have opportunities to wear their own clothes.
• Prisoners have at least weekly access to laundry facilities to wash and iron their clothes.

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

• Prisoners can receive parcels subject to security and volumetric control considerations.
• The amount of property held in possession and storage takes account of individual needs.
• The list of possessions that prisoners are allowed to keep is adequate to meet the needs of the population.
• Prisoners’ valuable property is routinely security marked before it is issued.
• All property is returned to prisoners on release or transfer.
• Prisoners are fairly compensated for clothing and possessions which are lost or damaged in storage.

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

• Meal times match those in the general community.
• Prisoners can eat out of their cells, with others.
• Breakfast is served when it is intended to be eaten.
• Prisoners have a choice of meals and can make lifestyle choices about diet.
• Catering staff provide meals that meet medical dietary requirements.
• Menus are agreed following advice from dieticians and nutritionists and meet the needs of the population.
• Prisoners returning from court or release on temporary licence (ROTL) do not miss out on their main meal.
• Prisoners can make a hot drink after evening lock up.
• Prisoners are consulted about the menu and their feedback about food is routinely considered.
• Prisoners (especially long-term prisoners) can cater for themselves.

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

• Managers ensure that relevant food and safety hygiene regulations are adhered to in all areas where food is stored, prepared or served.
• Catering staff meet religious, cultural or other specific dietary needs.
• Prisoners and staff who work with food are trained, wear proper clothing and have been health-screened.
• Staff supervise the serving of food to prevent tampering and to ensure appropriate portion control.
• Prisoners involved in preparing or serving food can gain relevant qualifications.

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

• Prisoners are able to buy items within 24 hours of arrival.
• Prisoners arriving at reception without private money are offered an advance to use for purchases, with repayment staged over a period of time.
• Prices are broadly equivalent to those in the community.
• The list of products available meets the diverse needs of the population.
• Prisoners can place orders at least once a week.
• Prisoners are able to access accurate and up-to-date records of their finances, free of charge.
• Prisoners can purchase newspapers and magazines and place catalogue orders.
• Prisoners can purchase a wide range of approved hobby materials.

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

• Prisoners are regularly consulted about prison life and given the opportunity to present any areas of grievance or dissatisfaction directly to managers.
• Prisoners are able to raise issues or concerns for discussion.
• Prisoners can challenge decisions appropriately and are confident that their views are taken seriously.
• The selection of prisoners to take part in more formal consultation events or to represent the wider prisoner group is fair and transparent.
• Prisoners are informed of the outcome of consultation and provided with justifiable reasons for any decision made.
• Ongoing feedback mechanisms, for example food comments books, are readily available, regularly checked and responded to appropriately.

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

• Staff and prisoners are encouraged to resolve requests informally, before making a formal, written application or complaint.
• Prisoners know how to make applications and can do so confidentially.
• Staff help prisoners to make applications, as requested.
• Prisoners do not have to make repeated applications for services they access or receive on a regular basis.
• Prisoners receive timely responses to their applications which are respectful, easy to understand and address the issues raised.
• There are effective and thorough quality assurance arrangements in place.

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 complain and have access to information about complaints procedures in a range of formats and languages.
• Prisoners have easy access to complaint forms and can submit them confidentially.
• Mediation services are available.
• Responses to complaints are easy to understand, comprehensive, respectful and prompt and address the issues raised.
• Where necessary, prisoners receive help to make their complaint.
• There is an effective quality assurance process for complaints responses, ideally with external validation.
• Prisoners are consulted regularly about the internal complaints system to monitor and maintain confidence in it.
• Complaints about health care provision and treatment are managed separately from the main complaints system.
• Prison staff respond quickly and comprehensively to Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) complaint investigations and implement PPO recommendations promptly.

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

• Prisoners are not encouraged to withdraw complaints.
• Complaints about staff are investigated by an appropriately senior and independent person.
• Prisoners and visitors who make complaints against staff and/or other prisoners are protected from possible recrimination.
• Prisoners know how to appeal against decisions.
• Prisoners have access to recognised external organisations offering support in pursuing a complaint.
• Prisoners can easily speak to members of the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) in confidence.
• Prisoners know how to contact the PPO in confidence.
• Information about the Legal Ombudsman is available.
• Prisoners receive help to pursue complaints and grievances beyond the prison/with external bodies, if they need to do so. They receive help in contacting legal advisors or making direct applications to the courts.

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

• Unconvicted prisoners receive help to apply for bail and to find bail accommodation.
• Prisoners know what resources are available in the prison to help meet their legal needs and are supported to find a legal representative if necessary.
• Prisoners can communicate with their legal and political representatives in confidence by telephone, fax and letter.
• Video link is used for eligible court cases and for other legal consultations.
• Where necessary prisoners have access to a computer and printer to prepare legal correspondence and documents. Prisoners can obtain an ‘access to justice’ laptop.
• Legally privileged correspondence is not opened by staff unless there are documented exceptional circumstances and the prisoner is present.
• Prisoners can meet their legal representatives face to face, in private, out of the hearing of staff, including for parole purposes.
• Facilities are available for legal representatives to review CCTV evidence with prisoners.
• Prisoners who are eligible to vote are on the electoral register, can receive campaigning material and can freely exercise their right to vote.