Issue 63 Custodial Review Magazine

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The Custodial Review Informing the Prison, Customs & Immigration and Police Services

Custodialt h e

Review

The Custody Franchise?

RJC launches Practitioner Register with Justice Minister Crispin Blunt

The Cultural Kitchen

Counter Terror Expo returns to London Olympia

HMP Styal - recycling food waste

The Mobile Phone Detection Arms Race

Edition 63

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the Custodial Review

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2 News

8 The Custody Franchise?

14 RJC launches Practitioner Register with Justice Minister Crispin Blunt

16 The Cultural Kitchen

20 Counter Terror Expo returns to London Olympia 25-28 April 2012

22 HMP Styal - recycling food waste

30 The Mobile Phone Detection Arms Race

32 Pan Sussex Crime Diversion Scheme helps young people to ‘KeepOut’

34 HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports

40 More News

44 Product News

Custodialt h e

rev iew

the Custodial Review Page 2

NEWS l NEWS l NEWS l NEWS l NEWS l NEWS l NEWS

Improving the value of prison educationNational conference to be held at UCLan

Half of men in prison and up to 70 percent of women have no qualifications at all, whilst two thirds of prisoners have literacy levels below that expected of 11 year olds.

And now a one-day national conference, hosted by the School of Education and Social Science at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), is to explore and identify some of the most significant challenges to the process of improving education in prisons.

The free conference, to take place on 2nd December and entitled: ‘Inside-Out: what are the challenges to the effective assessment of learning and skills provision in HM Prisons and Youth Offending Institutions?’ is expected to attract delegates from the Prison Service as well as Further and Higher education providers.

The keynote address will be delivered by Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan, while the event has been organised by UCLan’s Dr Christine Hough, a former OFSTED inspector and now module leader on the University’s BA(Hons) Children, Schools and Families.

The keynote speaker, Lisa Nandy MP, has stated that the conference is timely, in light of the recent Government’s review on Offender Learning, which makes recommendations

to ensure that prison education programmes can be better tailored to social needs. “Through the Hayes Review, the Government wants prison education schemes to improve inmates’ chances of gaining job skills while they serve their time,” she explained. “The

Government also want the schemes to provide value for money and believe that effective education in prisons is the key to reforming the criminal justice system.”

Dr Hough added: “There is a lot of pressure to implement educational reform within the criminal justice system and this conference also represents the platform to launch our new toolkit development

programme*, created to support managers and staff involved with the provision of learning and skills in prisons and youth offending institutions.

“The Government review is looking at current courses to see where they offer good value for money. Our toolkit will help conference delegates meet those Government aims.”

The overall objective of the conference is to produce recommendations that will be used to develop future research and professional development activities that will inform policy and practice, in partnership with HMP and other interested parties.

The conference will take place on Friday, 2 December within UCLan’s Brook Building, 9.30am – 3.30pm. If you would like to attend this free conference, please contact David Howard on 01772 892250 or email [email protected]

*The toolkit is a new development programme, created by Dr Hough and her research team, to support managers and staff involved with the provision of learning and skills in prisons and youth offending institutions.

The product is designed to enable staff to increase their capacity for improvement through self-evaluation and, thereby, enhance the quality of their overall provision. The aims of the programme are:

• To enhance the skills required to appraise the quality of educational provision and identify the appropriate evidence to support judgements made.

• To contribute equally to an organisation’s ongoing strategic development and the completion of a Self Assessment Report (SAR), in preparation for Ofsted inspection. (The content of the toolkit will be aligned to the relevant Ofsted evaluation schedules).

The Toolkit is not designed to be a “one-size-fits-all” template that can be universally applied to the completion of a SAR. It will be structured as a “bespoke” developmental tool and introduced to an organisation as a three stage package.

Dr Christine Hough is a graduate teacher (secondary) who has taught, led departments and been a pastoral manager in schools since 1974. After gaining her MBA, she trained to be an Ofsted inspector and went on to conduct some 45 inspections in secondary schools throughout the country.

Since 2003, she has worked as a freelance educational consultant on behalf of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL); facilitating professional development seminars and workshops for teachers and school managers in the UK and overseas.

In 2006, Christine took up a fully funded PhD studentship at the University of Cumbria, and for three years, she worked as a research associate on several research contracts at the Universities of Cumbria and Lancaster, and as a researcher for regional; not-for-profits organisations in the North West. Her thesis is entitled: “Every Child Matters: a small scale inquiry into practice and policy” and she was awarded her doctorate in September 2010.

Prisoner wages to fund victims’ services Up to £1million a year will be seized from prisoners’ pay packets and used to fund victim support services, the Ministry of Justice announced today as the Prisoners’ Earnings Act comes into force.

The money will go to the national charity Victim Support and pay for new support services, helping victims to recover from the trauma of crime and forcing criminals to take responsibility for the harm they have caused.

The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Nick Herbert, said:

‘For too long the financial burden of repairing the damage done by crime has fallen to the taxpayer alone. By bringing into force the Prisoners’ Earnings Act, this Government is

making a significant and overdue change.

‘Making offenders pay financial reparation to victims will require them to take personal responsibility for their crimes and go some way towards making redress to victims through the funding of crucial support services.’

Low-risk prisoners who work outside of prison to prepare for their eventual release will see up to 40 per cent of their net weekly wages of over £20 go to services which support victims of crime.

Javed Khan, chief executive of Victim Support, said:

‘Helping victims to find their strength after crime is our number one priority. We will use the money from this initiative to deliver real, practical support

for victims and communities.

‘Getting prisoners working and developing workplace skills should help them on the path to reform. This will be very much welcomed by victims as they are united in wanting offenders to stop committing crimes.’

The implementation of the Prisoners’ Earnings Act is the latest stage of Government action to reform the criminal justice system, to make punishments more effective and reduce reoffending. This includes making prisons place of hard work ensuring offenders make efforts pay back victims and communities for their crimes.

mailto:[email protected]



Nigel Newcomen to be Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has appointed Nigel Newcomen CBE as the next Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales.

Mr Newcomen, formerly the Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons, Took up the office from 5 September 2011.

The Justice Committee held a pre-appointment hearing with Mr Newcomen, as the Justice Secretary’s preferred candidate, to consider his suitability for the office. The Committee published its report in May 2011, endorsing the appointment. Mr Newcomen was identified following a rigorous and open selection process, that took into account the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s Code of Practice as best practice. Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said:

‘The Secretary of State and I are delighted to welcome Nigel Newcomen to the office of Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. We wish him every success in taking forward the valuable work of the Ombudsman, as an independent point of complaint and in investigating the deaths of those who come within his remit.’

Nigel Newcomen said:

‘I very much look forward to becoming Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. The independent investigation of detainee complaints and of deaths in custody contributes to both fairness and safety in the criminal justice system. Crucial lessons can be learned from such investigations to avoid any failings in the future. This important and sensitive work is increasing but achieving more with less is a challenge I shall relish.’

The office of Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales was established in 1994 to provide independent and effective adjudication of complaints from prisoners. The remit was expanded in 2001 to include Probation complaints, and further expanded in 2004 to include investigation of deaths in prisons, Approved Premises and immigration custody. The investigation of complaints from immigration detainees was added to the remit in 2006.

The Ombudsman works to terms of reference set by the Justice Secretary and reports directly to him. The Ombudsman reports to the Home Secretary on the immigration aspect of his remit.

Nigel Newcomen was appointed as HM Deputy Chief Inspector of Prisons in 2003. He began his career in law and then research, followed by 10 years in the probation service. He joined the Home Office in 1991 and held a number of senior posts, largely in the prison service. He has spent the last 8 years in the independent Inspectorate of Prisons, working as Deputy Chief Inspector for both Dame Anne Owers DBE and Nick Hardwick CBE.

On 5 April 2011, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke invited the Justice Committee to hold a pre-appointment hearing and report on Mr Newcomen’s suitability for the post.

Pre-appointment scrutiny hearings enable committees to take evidence from candidates for certain key public appointments before they are appointed. Hearings are in public and involve the committee publishing a report setting out their views on the candidate’s suitability for the post. The hearings are non-binding but ministers will consider the committee’s views before deciding whether to proceed with the appointment.



Serco launches pilot at HMP Doncaster to reduce reoffending with Turning Point and Catch22Serco has launched a new ‘payment by results’ pilot at HMP Doncaster which aims to reduce reoffending rates among former prisoners, as announced by the Secretary of State for Justice in March 2011. The four-year scheme, developed in alliance with Serco’s long-term voluntary sector and social enterprise partners - Catch22 and Turning Point - will deliver seamless rehabilitation services both within the prison and, for the first time, ‘through the gate’ in the community.

In a first for the UK prison sector, 10% of Serco’s annual revenue will be contractually dependent on it achieving a five percentage point reduction in reconviction amongst offenders discharged from the prison in each year of the pilot. If former prisoners commit an offence in the year after their release then Serco’s revenue will be affected.

It is estimated that if Serco achieves its 5% target more than 15,000 further offences per year could be avoided. This would not only deliver significant cost savings to the Government in terms of the time and money spent on each offender by the police, the courts, probation and the NHS, but also much wider social benefit in terms of a potential reduction in crime.

The pilot scheme has been designed so it can be adapted to meet the specific needs of individual offenders. The Ministry of Justice has facilitated this by providing Serco with the flexibility to make decisions at a local level and truly innovate to reduce reoffending. Serco has already integrated resettlement and the offender management unit within the prison to provide a joined-up approach to rehabilitation encompassing the ‘through the gate’ approach which is unique in terms of employed prison staff.

Offenders will now be allocated a dedicated Case Manager to support them for the duration of their sentence and crucially, on release. This is important as the majority of prisoners at Doncaster, having served sentences of 12 month or less, are not entitled to any statutory support on discharge meaning many fall back into a life of crime. They will offer advice and help on a range of practical matters such as employment options, housing and benefits through regular meetings at the prison and via phone calls and visits on discharge. Offenders will also have access to a 24-hour helpline for support and guidance at any time.

The pilot builds on the strong foundations Serco has already put in place at Doncaster to reduce recidivism. Offenders have access to a wide range of programmes which aim to provide transferable skills and qualifications that offenders can use after they leave. For example, courses can be taken in computing, manufacturing, printing, catering and bricklaying, while drama workshops and sports aim to build confidence and a sense of self-worth. Serco also run a successful Families First programme which supports fathers to develop and maintain ties with their families, something which has a proven affect on the likelihood of prisoners reoffending. This includes toddler mornings; Treasure Box, a scheme to help fathers reconnect with their children; and Daddy Newborn classes to introduce fathers to children born during their incarceration. HM Inspectorate of Prisons described this work as “among the best I have seen” in their last inspection report.

John Biggin, Director of Doncaster prison, said:

“Ex-offenders are most vulnerable in the first three months after release – they may have lost their homes and jobs and have little to return to. This is when they are most likely to reoffend, and why the support we can provide them with is so important. This innovative

scheme, which we have developed with our voluntary sector and social enterprise partners, allows us to make decisions at a local level and

target our resources to provide tailored support to offenders both inside the prison and, crucially, when they leave custody.’

Chris Wright, Chief Executive of Catch22 commented:

‘We know that the period from prison to community is critical in an offender’s life. Our Case Managers will be focused on providing a quality service both inside and outside the prison

system that offers the consistency of support needed back in the community. This will include housing and accommodation advice, routes to employment, education and training as well as restoring links with family and other supportive networks such as the use of volunteer mentors.”

Lord Victor Adebowale, Chief Executive of Turning Point added:

‘We are pleased to be working as part of an alliance with Serco and Catch22, in order to meet the individual needs of those within the criminal

justice system and thereby reduce reoffending. All partners bring something different to the table with Turning Point’s own experience based around supporting those with the most complex needs. Our belief is that this new model of delivery will benefit offenders by addressing behaviours and challenges, joining up needs; and coordinating support around issues such as physical health, mental health, substance misuse, employment and housing.’

The pilot is one of six announced in the Government’s ‘Breaking the Cycle’ Green Paper last December. At the end of the four-year trial at HMP Doncaster, the Ministry of Justice will evaluate the findings of the pilot and use this to inform their wider plans for a payment by results.

Serco has run HMP & YOI Doncaster since it opened in June 1994. Serco successfully rebid the contract to continue running the prison for another ten years in August 2000, and again in March 2011 for a further 15 years.

Serco is a leading operator of custodial services in the UK. They currently operate four prisons, one young offender institution and a secure training centre. HM Inspectorate of Prisons recently described Nottinghamshire jail, HMP Lowdham Grange as “among the most impressive category B training prisons in the system”.

Internationally, they also provide non-custodial services to Hunfeld Prison in Germany and operate two prisons in Western Australia. The latest inspection report into Acacia prison described it as “without doubt one of the best performing prisons in Western Australia, if not the best and it is also providing a financial saving to the State.”

About Turning Point

Turning Point is a leading health and social care social business, providing services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems or those with a learning disability. More information can be found at www.turning-point.co.uk

About Catch22

Catch22 is a local charity with a national reach. It works with young people and others who find themselves in seemingly impossible situations. More information can be found at www.catch-22.org.uk

http://www.turning-point.co.uk

http://www.catch-22.org.uk

http://www.catch-22.org.uk



Local communities call for more detailed crime dataLondon, UK– Results from an online survey released on – 26 October show 90% of people are keen for the government to increase the amount of crime data available to them on the crime mapping website, www.police.uk.

The survey conducted by UpMyStreet (upmystreet.com) and run in partnership with the Home Office asked visitors to UpMyStreet to answer a number of questions about the crime data on the government’s national crime mapping website.

Currently visitors to the Police.uk website can access street-level crime information online including burglary, vehicle theft and anti-social behaviour in England and Wales. The UpMyStreet survey revealed that most people who responded were keen for more detailed data to be added.

More than three quarters of respondents (76%) revealed that they would like specific information about drug dealing to be added to the site, 73% wanted more information about criminal damage and arson offences and 60% wanted to know about sexual offences that had happened in their local area.

The survey revealed that the majority of respondents have a huge interest in local crime data with more than half (51%) looking at Police.uk for local crime information and 46% stating that they are interested and will look at the website in the future. Only 3% of respondents revealed that they had no interest in local crime data at all.

When asked why crime data is becoming increasingly important to them, 61% of respondents revealed personal and family safety as being their top concern. House prices and insurance premiums, and police accountability each rated at 34%, whilst 29% of respondents indicated that it was important to find out more about crime rates if they were considering moving to a new area.

Annabel McQueen, spokesperson for UpMyStreet said:

“This survey brings to light that Brits desire more detailed information about what is happening close to home. We hope, with the help of the Home Office, that UpMyStreet will be able to provide them with more information they can digest at a local level to help them feel secure in their own homes in the future.”

Nick Herbert, Minister for policing and criminal justice said:

“These results reveal the huge public appetite for this information. Police.uk has kick-started a process of greater transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system and we are continuing on that journey to make even more information available.

“The government is keen to use feedback from local communities to build on the success of police.uk, which has received over 430 million hits since its launch. We will very shortly be introducing a range of developments to provide the public with even more information about crime, policing and anti-social behaviour in their local area.

“By May next year, people will also able to use the website, not only to see information about what is happening on our streets, but crucially what happens after an incident occurs.”

Respondents were also asked what they would do if their own street was revealed as a high crime spot area. Just over a half (51%) of respondents revealed that they would take the basic step of installing a burglar alarm, 34% would join Neighbourhood Watch, and 30% would attend Police Beat Meetings. 14% of respondents revealed that they would not do anything different.

http://globalmessaging1.prnewswire.com/clickthrough/servlet/clickthrough?msg_id=7026309&adr_order=34&url=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5wb2xpY2UudWs%3D



IPCC publishes details of the deaths following police contact in 2010/11The Independent Police Complaints Commission published information relating to the number of deaths following police contact in 2010/11.

The IPCC’s annual ‘Deaths During or Following Police Contact’ report breaks down the deaths and provides an overview of the varying circumstances. The report reveals that:

• 26 people died in road traffic incidents, down three from the previous year.

• Two people were shot by police officers, the same as the previous year.

• 21 people died in or following police custody, an increase of six in the last two years.

• 46 people appear to have committed suicide after their release from custody, down from 54 in 2009/10.

• 52 people died following police contact, which is a rise of 14 from the previous year but is mostly accounted for by new recording criteria.

IPCC Interim Chair Len Jackson, said:

“There are several positive aspects to these figures, including the lowest number of deaths linked to police pursuits since

2004/05 - an area of work the Commission has been very active in. We, alongside the police themselves and other stakeholders, are making a real difference here; something with which we can be collectively pleased.

“Conversely, there has been a rise in the numbers of deaths in custody for the second year in a row. A great deal of good work has been done to reduce the numbers who die in these circumstances, from around fifty nearly a decade ago. However, these figures highlight the need of forces to remain vigilant. Friends and families of those who have died will find little solace in the fact that their tragedy is one of what had been a decreasing number.”

Further details from the ‘Deaths During or Following Police Contact’ 2010/11 report follow.

Road Traffic Fatalities

• 26 people, 23 men and three women, died in 24 incidents.

• There were 13 fatal police pursuit incidents with 13 fatalities - down four incidents and six deaths.

• Four people died in three incidents, where police vehicles collided with

pedestrians or cyclists while responding to emergencies.

Deaths in or During Custody:

• 19 men and two women died in custody.

• Seven were identified as being unwell at point of arrest.

• Four have been identified as potentially linked to restraint.

• 18 people had a link to alcohol and drugs.

• 16 of the deceased, were white, four were white ‘other’ and one black.

Other Deaths following Police Contact

There has been a change to the definition this reporting year. The category now includes only deaths following police contact that are subject to an IPCC independent investigation. The new approach seeks to provide more robust and consistent figures. The change in definition means that the number is now directly linked to the number of independent investigations conducted, which has increased notably over the last year as our new structure has taken effect.

Using the old definition for this death category, we estimate that the number of fatalities for 2010/11 would be around 37; one less than the previous year.

• 19 of the deaths were linked to previous domestic incidents. Three such incidents accounted for nine deaths.

• Five were related to missing person enquiries.

• Two followed restraint at mental health facilities.

A copy of the report is available at the following link http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/reports_polcustody.aspx .

Definitions re deaths following police contact:

The term ‘police’ includes police civilians, police officers and staff from the other organisations under IPCC jurisdiction. Deaths of police personnel or incidents that involve off-duty police personnel are not included in these categories.

• Road traffic fatalities include deaths of motorists, cyclists or pedestrians arising from police pursuits, police vehicles responding to emergency calls and other police traffic-related activity.

• Fatal shootings include fatalities where police officers fire the fatal shots.

• Deaths in or following police custody includes deaths of persons who have been arrested or otherwise detained by the police. It includes deaths that occur while a person is being arrested or taken into detention. The death may have taken place on police, private or medical premises,

in a public place or in a police or other vehicle.

This would include

• Deaths that occur during or following police custody where injuries that contributed to the death were sustained during the period of detention.

• Deaths that occur in or on the way to hospital (or other medical premises) following or during transfer from police custody.

• Deaths that occur as a result of injuries or other medical problems that are identified or that develop while a person is in custody.

• Deaths that occur while a person is in police custody having been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 or other legislation.

This would not include

• Suicides that occur after a person has been released from police custody.

• Deaths of individuals who have been transferred to the care of another agency and subsequently die while in their care, of injuries or illness not identified or sustained while in police custody.

• Apparent suicides following police custody includes all apparent suicides that occur within two days of release from police custody. It also includes apparent suicides which occur beyond two days of release from custody, where the period spent in custody may be relevant to the subsequent death.

• Other deaths following police contact includes deaths where the fatality follows contact with the police that did not involve arrest or other detention. The contact does not have to be directly with the deceased but may be with a third party. From 2010/11, only deaths subject to an independent investigation are included in this category.

This would include

• Deaths that occur after the police are called to attend a domestic incident that results in a fatality.

• Deaths that occur while a person is actively attempting to evade arrest. This includes instances where the death is self-inflicted.

• Deaths that occur when the police are in attendance at a siege situation, including where a person kills himself or someone else.

Deaths that occur after the police have been contacted following concerns about a person’s welfare and there is some concern about the nature of the police response.



Dangerous drivers to face longer jail terms Dangerous drivers who seriously injure others could spend longer in jail thanks to a new criminal offence, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced on 07 October 2011.

The new offence of ‘causing serious injury by dangerous driving’ will carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and allow the courts to impose tougher punishments on dangerous drivers who devastate the lives of others.

The changes will be taken forward as part of the Government’s Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

For the vast majority of other dangerous driving cases, the maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment provides the courts with sufficient and proportionate powers to punish offenders.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said:

‘Dangerous driving can destroy lives and have a devastating effect on victims and their families and friends.

‘We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road

safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes.

‘Making our roads safer is a priority - five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety.’

Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer said:

‘Brake wholeheartedly welcomes this new offence which will help to provide justice to families whose lives have been ripped apart by dangerous drivers.

‘As a charity that supports bereaved and seriously injured victims of road crashes, we repeatedly see victims’ families being grossly let down by the justice system, which only adds to the terrible trauma they must endure.

‘This new offence finally means that serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families. It also means that dangerous drivers who inflict serious injuries can expect to see higher sentences to better reflect the terrible trauma and injuries they have caused.’

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said:

‘The vast majority of motorists are safe and responsible but the wilfully reckless minority who put lives in danger must face serious

penalties.

‘We are taking action to help the police tackle drink and drug driving, as well as to crack down on uninsured and dangerous drivers, and this new offence will mean the courts can properly punish those who inflict serious injuries.

‘These measures - together with improved educational courses for drivers who need to improve their skills - will help ensure Britain’s roads remain among the safest in the world.’

Andrew Howard, Head of Road Safety at the AA said:

‘Dangerous drivers who do so wilfully choose to take risks and should face the consequences of their actions.

‘These law changes should make sentences more proportionate to the devastation dangerous driving causes and should also deter people from driving badly.’

If a person causes death by dangerous driving the maximum sentence is 14 years.

1,850 road deaths occurred in 2010. The Department for Transport published its Strategic Framework for Road Safety earlier this year, setting out the Government’s plans to improve road safety education and enforcement.


The Custody Franchise?

continues overleaf u

Roger Wiltshire is the Chief Inspector in charge of Custody for the six Norfolk and Suffolk Police Investigation Centres. (PIC’s)Roger joined the Police at the age of 31 and rose through the uniform ranks to Chief Inspector. Three years ago he completed a posting as a staff officer and was subsequently tasked with organising the new structure for custody in Norfolk and Suffolk. These are the PIC’s, or Police Investigation Centres. The buildings were purchased using the PFI scheme and the designs and contracts were finalised prior to his appointment. His was role was concerned with bringing the PIC’s on line and overseeing their operational integration. Originally he had been expected to fill the role of Deputy Head of Custody however the financial pressures placed upon Police budgets in the latest spending review caused a rethink and the role as Head of Custody became his.

I met Roger at the Wymondham PIC. It’s on an industrial estate next to the A11 just north of Thetford and only a few hundred yards from the Norfolk Police HQ. I wanted to find out how the decision making process had led to the creation of the PIC’s , what the resulting facilities were and if they had lived up to expectations.

CR What was the thinking behind the 6 PIC’s and how did they come about?

RW The counties of Norfolk and Suffolk are fairly similar in that they are large, rural and contain several large towns. Norfolk had a total of five custody centres and Suffolk had eight and many of the custody facilities in both counties were old, difficult to maintain and in danger of falling below the standard required by Safer Detention and modern working and operational requirements. Their cells were usually in the basement of town centre Police stations, therefore difficult to renovate or convert. In addition each county had numerous small Police stations dotted around the countryside each with a few cells attached, most of which had already been closed due to them no longer being suitable or economic to use as some were built prior to the 1950’s. So both forces were using their main town centre custody facilities and these were showing their age. So it was decided about three years ago to provide acceptable custody facilities that 6 new centres would be built across the two counties.

CR How was the location of each PIC decided upon?

RW A comprehensive review was carried out and the criteria for their location were decided upon. The main ones were: need, location and affordability. Need is an obvious

one, so proximity to the large population centres was important. Availability and cost of land was also important as sites large enough to build a facility like this do not come up very often in a town centre, and when they do they are at a premium price making them unaffordable. Getting a large plot of land next to existing Police town centre facilities is unlikely and proved impossible in these cases. Therefore the PICs were placed on or near major roads close to the large towns.

The logic of this is that in large mainly rural counties like Norfolk and Suffolk it was always likely that an officer would have to drive to get his detainee to a Police station. Therefore the new PICs do not represent much of an alteration in working practice from that perspective. The locations were eventually agreed as Aylsham, Wymondham, King’s Lynn and Martlesham, with the final PIC opening in Great Yarmouth in November.

CR How has the change to ‘out of town custody facilities’ affected the cell capacity and operational efficiency of the two Police Divisions?

RW The improvements have been dramatic. We have grown in cell capacity by approx 40% from 106 to 146 cells across the two counties. But cell count is only a part of the improvement. We also have Criminal Investigation Units (CIU) based within the PICs meaning that for the majority of detainees we are a one stop shop. What this means in practice is that the officer will bring in the person they have arrested and will hand them over to the Custody Investigation Unit (CIU). The CITU take over the process of interviewing the person, making further enquires and file building. Whilst Custody Staff handle the calling of a solicitor, arranging an interpreter, fingerprints, and carry out the DNA sample. All of this usually involves a lot of waiting around for the next stage to happen and, in the past, the arresting officer would

have to stay in the custody area while all this was completed. As the CIU can process more than one detainee at a time they release the arresting officers to go back on duty. This has a dramatic effect on operational efficiency and increases Police on the beat.

Another benefit is the efficiency brought about by the design of this building. We deal with people far more quickly than we used to because the building enabled us to change our working practices. The average time between arrest and detention is the same now as it was before we started using the PICs. This more than compensates for the longer journeys some arrested people have to take.

CR How do you staff the PICs? Do you use all Police staff or do you have civilian detention staff, and can you move the staff between different PICs?

RW The majority of the Detention staff were inherited from the previous custody arrangements. We now have 104 Detention officers across the two counties of which 90 are civilian Police staff and the rest are Police officers. All of these are directly employed by the Police and can be moved between different locations.

CR Who paid for the buildings and the kit they contain?

RW The 6 PICs were all built under the PFI scheme, the supplier provides the buildings and maintainace, the food and utilities, cleaning, grounds maintainace, furniture etc. We occupy the buildings, fit the IT and pay the bill! The buildings where constructed by Kiers Eastern and are managed by Reliance.

CR How about the change over from the old town centre based custody suites to the new PIC’s? What preparation was made and how did you accomplish it?

RW The first one opened in February and then we opened the next four within the


The vehicle dock is on the left, main entrance is on the right

Meals are standardised across all the P.I.C.s

The cells have detectors that recognise signs of life.

The ‘smelly trainer’ boxes are wall mounted. The air is drawn into them and voided to the outside. Cell security doors were used throughout


The Custody Franchise? continued

following 5 months. We did each of the change over’s in a week. We would run the old suite for one week by using staff from other locations and bring all the permanent staff to the new PIC’s for a weeks training and acclimatisation. To use this PIC at Wymondham as an example. All the custody staff here used to work in Norwich, we recruited a few more to make up the required compliment. All the staff arrived here on a Monday and then spent the next week learning how to operate in the new facility. It then opened fully the following weekend. We had a few hiccups with the first commissioning and learned from each one. By now we have the change over system fairly well established.

CR You have been using 5 PIC’s a few months now, how do you see their role developing and changing?

RW Only very slowly and in a very controlled way! One of the key factors we have developed into the PIC’s is consistency. Historically custody procedures have varied from station to station and in some cases from shift to shift. This was caused by different people’s interpretations of custody requirements, different layouts of the custody suites and peoples preference as to the order of doing things. So one of the big things we have striven to introduce is what we call the Mc Donald’s factor. It’s named that because

wherever you go in the country you know what will be served at one of their restaurants. The company’s standards and procedures mean you know what to expect and what will happen when you go into one. Its part of what has made it such an incredibly successful chain of food outlets.

They achieve this success by having a strict set of operating procedures, facilities and policies; everything they do has been worked

out and set down. If it’s altered in one place then it’s altered in all of them. We wanted the same to apply with the PIC’s as this has many advantages to us, staff can move easily between the different locations, the solicitors, Police and interpreters all know the procedures and layouts. If they have been to one of the PIC’s then they will know the layout, routine and procedures that will be followed in all of them.


The larger vehicle doc is through the far door, the second doc is through the folding door on the right.

The Custody desk, not the shape of the privacy shields.

The Custody Franchise? continued


It’s the same for the staff, in the McDonalds world a member of staff would quite easily be able to work in a different outlet. The tills operate the same, as do the chip fryers, the menu choices and the environment. The customers are treated in exactly the same way too. A big benefit of this is that transferred staff do not need to be retrained in the skills and requirements of how another establishment works and so the desired operating methods become second nature. We have applied that principal in the PIC’s to our great advantage. For example a week or so ago we had a detention officer call in sick at this PIC. However there was a Detention Officer available at Kings Lynn. So within one hour we were able to temporarily transfer them here and they did not need any additional training or introduction because this PIC is laid out and works exactly the same way as the Kings Lynn PIC.

CR You say the layout and systems are the same, to what degree?

RW Equipment is the same, the custody desk and systems, uniform, clothes store, cell equipment, fingerprint machine, DNA sample kit, food type, store and kitchen layout. Medical room, phone systems, CCTV and cell call equipment. All that may vary is the number of cells in a particular PIC. However were we to walk around two of them you would be very challenged to notice any difference.

CR An ongoing problem exists in all franchises, and organisations, where local practises grow up and become entrenched. The big chains use mystery shoppers and customer surveys to keep the franchises on their toes. How are you going to prevent the local practises growing up in the PIC’s? Mystery shoppers and customer surveys are hardly an option!

RW We recognise this is an issue for us. People will always want to change things, it’s in all peoples natures to do it, whether it’s

for nefarious reasons. i.e. the wish to not do something in particular or perhaps to have a cigarette break. Or for more legitimate reasons like comfort. It is the process of monitoring these changes and convincing the staff that adherence to the strict operating policies we have created are to everyone’s benefit. When something goes wrong in a custodial environment it’s usually because some one hasn’t followed procedures or has forgotten their training. So making everyone realise that diverging from the set operating policies and procedures has a consequence that may be undesirable. The common systems and procedures we have established across all the PIC’s will help to prevent people digressing from the correct way of doing things and so keep people safer when they are in custody. It’s an ongoing programme and a big challenge but one that must be achieved.

CR The staff are now working in fabulous conditions, its bright and airy, it’s safe and secure. They have a good restroom upstairs. There are even sufficient car parking places

and no detectable whiff of stinking trainers! What effect has all this had on staff morale and efficiency?

RW It’s had a noticeable effect, however people do get used to positive changes very quickly and the morale gain from a shiny new piece of kit soon wears off. After 6 months it becomes just another place of work. In a couple of the PIC’s there are some photos of the old custody suites on the notice boards with comments like ‘lets not forget where we used to work’. So it’s obvious that the staff do appreciate working in such excellent conditions. A good way of looking at this question would be to look at the requests for posting. For many years being posted to the Custody unit was seen as an unattractive one that was not good for the person’s career. They would do it for a couple of years then look for a quick route out. Now we have a waiting list of officers wanting to work in the PIC’s and none of the Custody officers have left, or asked to leave. That speaks for itself.

CR Thanks for talking to the Review.

Behind the custody desk is the admin area. All cells are CCTV maintained.

A repeater terminal enables access to prisoner data within the cell corridor.


RJC launches Practitioner Register with Justice Minister Crispin BluntThe Restorative Justice Council launched a new national register of restorative practitioners on Tuesday 13th September, the first of its kind internationally.

With start-up investment from the Ministry of Justice, and based on the new UK-wide National Occupational Standards in Restorative Practice, the register will provide quality assurance for

the public – particularly anyone considering taking part in restorative justice – that they are being offered a safe and effective approach.

The practitioner register is in two parts. Associates can be prison officers, police officers, teachers, volunteers or anyone who has been trained in restorative justice skills. Accredited Practitioner status is available for those practitioners who can demonstrate that their practice adheres to those standards. Accredited Practitioners will be monitored by a complaints procedure and required to show continuing professional development. It shows they are making a voluntary commitment to a known and stated set of standards. It’s been found that RJ is only effective if the intervention is done to a very high standard.

The RJC only recognise one qualification which grants Accredited Practitioner status. It’s a City and Guilds diploma based on the new occupational standards in restorative justice from Skills for Justice. Whilst there are other qualifications in this sector, including some which cover practical skills, this is the only one that actually assesses the candidates skills as well as their knowledge. The RJC decided that a more practical assessment of the skills was called for. They are looking at recognising other qualifications in the future, including the University of Ulster’s Certificate in Restorative Practices.

They have created the ability for practitioners who are already practising and qualified to have their skill set recognised without their having to recognised qualification. So for two years they will allow these people to join the register once they have submitted a satisfactory portfolio of their work plus references. It gives practitioners national recognition for their skills, increasing the confidence that those involved can have in the person doing the work. This will happen on an annual basis.

The Register has received £70,000 of government money to set it up, however it will become self funding over a few years as people

pay their subscription fees. This means it will not be dependant on government finance, and therefore favour, for its future.

At the launch, Justice Minister Crispin Blunt commented: “Restorative Justice is a unique process that helps to repair the damage caused by crime as well as helping to stop offenders committing further crimes. It demands criminals take an active role in acknowledging the harm they have caused, as well as making amends.

“Practitioner registration is essential in building public confidence in restorative justice and providing anyone considering participation in restorative justice with a transparent check on whether the person working with them is qualified to do so.

“If we are to better tackle the rate of criminals who reoffend, and so bring down crime, we are clear that we must have robust programmes of both punishment and reform available to our courts.

“Making criminals see for themselves the consequences of their actions, as well as undertaking tough punishments, can be an effective part of this; and crucially, this gives victims a say in how offenders make amends.

“The register will encourage the increased use of restorative justice by making it quicker and easier to find a local practitioner, as well as acting as the first-ever benchmark of quality and professionalism that ensures victims are safeguarded.”

Lizzie Nelson, RJC Director said:

“Restorative practice changes lives. We know that for some victims of crime, meeting the offender is what lets them move forward. For offenders, meeting the victim can be what gives them the motivation to stop offending. RJ reduces the incidence of bullying in schools, leading to less exclusion. And it can be used to resolve conflict in communities before problems escalate.

“The practitioners doing this skilful and effective work deserve professional recognition; and the

public deserves transparent assurance that they are being offered a safe and effective process. The new national RJC Practitioner Register provides both.”

On Tuesday 16 August Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced plans for a “riot payback scheme”, which would see people convicted of looting or violence in the disturbances being made to do community service or take part in restorative justice programmes in the areas where crimes were committed. He said that people convicted of crimes last week should have to “look their victims in the eye”.

Lizzie Nelson, RJC Director said: “In what we saw, the rioters clearly had no thought for the impact on peoples’ homes and businesses and on their local communities. Restorative justice will give those victims a say, a chance to tell the offenders the real impact of their crime. The rioters need to understand this wasn’t just ‘showing the police’ but harming huge numbers of innocent people in their own communities. Restorative justice means accountability and the chance for offenders to pay back to the individual victims and communities they’ve harmed.”

The Ministry of Justice has asked the probation service to instigate the schemes in the cities where the riots took place. Offenders will take part in activities to help repair the damage done or to face their victims and apologise through participation in restorative justice.

The deputy PM told a press conference in London: “I want offenders to be punished – and to change their ways. Victims of crime are only truly protected if punishment leads to criminals not committing crime again. Criminals must be punished and then made to change their ways.

“That’s why those people who behaved so despicably last week should have to look their victims in the eye. They should have to see for themselves the consequences of their actions and they should be put to work cleaning up the damage and destruction they have caused so they don’t do it again.”

It’s seen as important that it’s seen as a long term contributor to the fight against reoffending and not just a short term fix to enable tight budgets to be squeezed further with the adoption of this ethos being held up as some sort of justification.

It’s also considered important that the access to restorative justice is not a postcode lottery. The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is investing in training to build sufficient capacity within the whole justice sector to enable all to have access to it.

Lizzie Nelson, RJC Director

Crispin Blunt


What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative processes bring those harmed by crime or conflict, and those responsible for the harm, into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.

Restorative practice includes using these processes formally (for example, a restorative justice conference involving victims and offenders, or in a care home following an incident of harm), or informally, in the course of daily work (for example as used by a police officer to deal with low level crime on the beat, or a teacher, to manage a conflict between young people in the classroom).

In criminal justice, restorative processes give victims the chance to tell offenders the real impact of their crime, to get answers to their questions, and an apology. It lets offenders understand the real impact of what they’ve done, to take responsibility and make amends. Restorative justice holds offenders to account for what they have done, personally and directly, and helps victims to get on with their lives.

Alongside criminal justice, restorative processes are increasingly being used in schools, care homes and the wider community to address conflict, build understanding and strengthen relationships with young people. In these contexts it is also known by the names ‘Restorative Approaches’ and ‘Restorative Practices’.

All restorative work is underpinned by principles and best practice, building on a strong evidence base.

In a new poll 88% of the public said they support restorative justice. The results of an ICM telephone poll of 1,000 members of the public, conducted one month after the riots in England, and published by the Prison Reform Trust, show overwhelming public support for giving victims the chance to inform offenders of the harm caused and a say in how the offender can best make amends.

RJC Director Lizzie Nelson commented: “This new polling data makes clear 88% of the public want victims of crime to have the right to tell the offender the impact of their crime and have a say in how they make amends. The RJC Practitioner Register launched this week means the public can have confidence in the quality of restorative justice. The Government needs to act now and ensure through the Sentencing Bill that every victim is offered restorative justice whenever the offender takes responsibility for their crime.”

The ICM poll results also showed:

• Nearly nine out of 10 people (88%) agree that victims of theft and vandalism should be given the opportunity to inform offenders of the harm and distress they have caused.

• Almost three quarters (71%) believe victims should have a say in how the offender can best make amends for the harm they have caused.

• 79% of people thought making amends to victims would be effective in preventing crime and disorder.

The poll provides evidence that restorative

justice has widespread public support, in addition to the strong evidence that it benefits victims, reduces reoffending and is value for money.

Javed Khan, the Chief Executive of Victim Support, said: “We have for many years supported restorative justice projects up and down the country. We know that one of the greatest benefits of restorative justice is to victims of crime and that satisfaction rates among victims are particularly high when it is victim led.”

Home Office and Ministry of Justice research into restorative justice with serious offences such as violent crime and burglary showed that high quality restorative justice reduced reoffending by 27% and for every pound spent on providing restorative justice nine pounds are saved in reduced crime for the criminal justice system.

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill is being debated in Parliament. The Restorative Justice Council, along with the Prison Reform Trust, Victim Support and the Criminal Justice Alliance, has called for legislation to require restorative justice to be offered to victims when an offender pleads guilty in court.

For more information please visit www.restorativejustice.org.uk or Restorative Justice Council, Beacon House, 113 Kingsway, London WC2B 6PP. Tel: 020 7831 5700 Fax: 020 7831 5365 E: [email protected]

http://www.restorativejustice.org.uk


The Cultural Kitchen

Keeping people occupied whilst in detention is an ongoing and never ending task. At Immigration removal centre any form of long term training can be challenging due to unpredictable length of stay, so the choices of activity are even less. Colnbrook IRC has found a solution that keeps some people occupied and thinking ahead. It also passes on some skills and raises morale. It’s called the Cultural Kitchen.I wanted to know what a Cultural Kitchen was, how it runs and what its benefits are, so a trip to visit Robbie Clymo at Colnbrook IRC was organised.

Robbie started in the catering industry as a trainee and progressed into the position of managing catering establishments. He then worked at a range of establishments that included a restaurant and hotel. However a career change beckoned so he stepped right out of the hospitality world and joined the YMCA as a support worker. He enjoyed this role for 18 months before the job as a Detainee Custody Officer within Colnbrook IRC was advertised. This appealed as it would combine the skills he had learnt within the catering industry plus the ones he had acquired as a support worker.

When he had been in the job at Colnbrook for 3 months the role of Training Officer Kitchen became available. Unfortunately the economic climate change and it was decided to downsize the Training department, he was offered to set up and run the Cultural Kitchen. He jumped at the chance.

CR What is a Cultural Kitchen?

RC Because of the nature of the establishment we have many different cultures here. And food is always a defining part of a person’s culture. So we have given the detainees the opportunity to be able to cook the sort of food that their culture has developed and prefers. The room the cooking and eating happens in is known as the Cultural Kitchen.

CR Where did the idea come from?

RC Like many good ideas it sprung from a set of conversations between members of staff and the detainees. It gelled in the minds for a while, then the space became available and the project took off. This was about 18 months ago. At the time I was working as training officer here and they asked me if I would be interested in taking the idea forward. I jumped at the opportunity.

CR This is a large room, and it’s full of quite


expensive equipment. What was the room used for prior to this and how did the budget for the kit come about?

RC We have a very open mind to this sort of proposal here and once Jim Geen had sorted all the budgetary concerns we were away! Prior to the kitchen being installed this space was a multi faith room; however it was one of several and wasn’t used often. It had also been a games room where people could relax. Its conversion into a kitchen took a while as we had to install the equipment and the correct ventilation.

CR How does the kitchen work in practice, if a resident wishes to cook a meal for his friends how does he go about it?

RC We have one morning session and one afternoon session available. Detainees make an application on a printed form for the slot they want; these forms are available from a couple of locations in the centre. Once completed they hand them to me or put them under the kitchen door, the form asks for the guests they wish to invite, what they wish to cook and the time they would like to book. They can invite anyone they like from any of the five units. They can also invite members of staff. We don’t permit them to bring in anyone from outside.

CR How do you provide the ingredients? There must be some very unusual dishes cooked up, and I doubt that the main kitchen here will keep some of the more unusual ingredients.

RC There are not that many rare items requested, and the basic ingredients are fairly commonplace and often available from the kitchen. The Centre already has to cater for a very wide range of ethnic diets, so there are already many of the requested ingredients on site. There are some that we do need to obtain. I purchase them separately; however the main kitchen is now looking to source these items from local suppliers. We are right next to Slough, Southall and Hounslow, so there are plenty of specialist suppliers in the area. I budget £25 per week for these items and it’s always been sufficient.

CR Where do they actually eat their meals? Is there a separate dining room? How many can they invite?

RC It’s all done in the same room. The kitchen is cleaned down as soon as the meal is ready and the tables and chairs within the room are used as the dining area. The table is laid by the cooks and in the style their meal dictates. The maximum number of diners has been set at ten, plus the cooks.

CR Has an element of national pride and competition crept into the scheme?

RC A little, however they are cooking for their own friends so they tend to be from the same ethnic background. Recently a group of Africans invited a French speaker to their meal; it was an interesting experience for him. They do take huge pleasure in delighting their guests, as would anyone cooking a meal for their friends would. Food is an important thing in everyone’s lives so it doesn’t require an atmosphere of competition.

CR How long can the cooking and eating time last?

RC As we have a morning and afternoon session the cooking typically lasts 2 hours and the eating and clearing up another couple, so some 4 hours will pass per session. We get the occasional over run for instance when people do not leave the facility exactly as they found it but that is rare, they appreciate that other’s will follow , so their almost to leave the room and equipment spotless.

CR Is there any different requirements due to religion?

RC During Ramadan there was a reduction in the applications, because we were unable to offer the facility so late in the day. Getting ingredients that conform to religious

Robbie Clymo


The Cultural Kitchen continued

requirements isn’t difficult as the catering facility here have these already.

CR Hygiene is always an issue; usually people who are cooking for others need to have passed a food hygiene certificate. How do you comply with the statutory requirements when people may only be here once?

RC I have full qualification for all the requirements a kitchen needs, and as I am always in the room whilst the food is being prepared I ensure all food handling regulations are adhered to. People understand

them as they are mainly obvious common sense. All I ever have to do is remind them occasionally. I always check food is the right temperature before it is served and that cross contamination of food doesn’t happen. It’s in no ones interests to be less than perfect on these matters. However I am considering providing the training and a certification scheme for food hygiene. Something like that is never wasted.

CR Is there an element of training going on as well? I notice that of the two people cooking

now, one is somewhat more senior and seems to be teaching the younger person techniques.

RC There isn’t a formal system but skills are always being passed from one person to another. We seem to find that the two people who do the cooking are usually a chief cook and a helper. We don’t get two chiefs in at the same time. I suppose the old adage of too many cooks spoiling the broth applies. Its one of the reasons I decided to leave mainstream catering, too many ego’s in a kitchen makes it an unpleasant place to work!

Robbie checks all meals at all stages

The Knives!Note the picture on the door shows what should be in the cupboard.


CR Security must be an issue; you have two people you hardly know, who have access to potentially lethal weapons and boiling ingredients. What is more they may be told at any time that they are being sent out of the country at short notice? How do you address these concerns?

RC I have had pictures placed on the inside of each cupboard that show what items should be stored and where. The biggest and most obvious danger issue is the knife set; we have a set of 7 that are essential to enable cooking to be done. These have been stored in a knife roll where it can be easily seen if one is missing. I lock these up at the end of each cooking session. The cutlery is another issue, we have a dozen of each type of utensil and these are counted and locked away before anyone leaves the room. We also get information on a person’s status, and if it is considered that someone’s change in status may create an enhanced risk we will take appropriate action.

CR Has there been any unexpected benefits and spin off ideas? What do the detainees think of it?

RC Yes, what I am going to do is take pictures of the completed dishes so I can

promote the idea and perhaps produce a calendar. A huge benefit of the scheme is that detainees have some control over their lives. The decisions they can take are necessarily restricted by the requirements of being in an IRC, however this facility gives them the ability to have some control and input into what they do, as food is such a huge part of life it gives them a huge input even if it’s only for a few hours. They don’t have the entire unsupervised run of the facility, I am here all the time and I ensure that health and safety and hygiene rules are adhered to, but the rest of it is their decision. That is important to them and me. Just the other day I heard the most amazing piece of feedback, one of the detainees was cooking and he turned to me and said. “When I’m here I do not realise or feel that I am being detained”.

CR The facility has been running for six weeks now, how do you see it evolving in the future?

RC I would like to introduce people to cooking. We get a lot of applications from experienced chefs, but there are a lot of people here who will be going back to another country yet will not have any skills in feeding

themselves. I would like to obtain some fairly simple books that show how to prepare food in a pictorial way, or create them. I’d use these to help people learn.

CR What does the future hold, how do you see this developing?

RC We have functions at this IRC, both for the Centre and when people come to visit, I’d like to be able to have the detainees provide the food for these events. This could take the form of full meals of cultural buffets where different ethnic groups will provide one or two of the items each. It will also bring the serco management team closer with the detainees. There are many other ways we could go, however this is about empowerment of the detainees to control a part of their own lives.

CR Thanks for talking to the Review.

Whist I was talking to Robbie a spicy Indian meal was being cooked by two gentlemen. I was invited to sample the fare, it was amazing, and the flavours were incredible. I asked what was in them that made the flavours so good. The cook said “it was just what was on the shelves. It was how they were put together that mattered”!

A huge benefit of the scheme is that detainees have some control over their lives.


Counter Terror Expo returns to London Olympia 25-28 April 2012

This widely acclaimed and world beating premier event for public and private sector professionals working at the sharp end in ensuring an effective and consistent response to the threat we face from terrorism is now in its fourth year and continues to grow exponentially.

Counter Terror Expo remains the only event of its kind to gather the world’s leading experts together with top industrialists from across the globe, in a unique and secure environment designed to foster close cooperation in the complex and multi-faceted task of combatting terrorism at the transnational, regional and local level.

Uncertain times

Counter Terror Expo is being held at a time of great uncertainty in the world.

The capture and death of Al Qaeda (AQ) leader Osama bin Laden is said to be proof positive that the decade old campaign against terrorism is being won. Although hailed as a great success, the infringement of Pakistan’s sovereign territory by United States military assets, has not played well and resulted in a difficult relationship with that country apparently becoming distinctly frosty.

Meanwhile, the tumultuous upheaval we have seen across great swathes of the Arab world over the past year has led to a shift in the balance of power regionally, which may present a significant danger on our own doorstep if the vacuum is not filled appropriately.

While it is hoped that the ousting of hardline leaderships in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt will bring about greater stability, the power vacuum has been filled by interim military leaderships which appear reticent to let go of the reigns in two of these countries. Thus public dissent is once again being heard on the Arab street.

Civil unrest also continues unabated at the time of writing in Yemen and Syria.

The former country has proven to be a relatively safe haven for Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which has been successful in launching potentially devastating attacks against Western targets over the past three years.

The hardline leadership of the latter country looks increasingly fragile as it strives to hang on to power against a backdrop of international indignation at civilian killings and detentions.

Syria’s leadership is said to have no appreciable opposition capable of holding the country

together in the event that Bashar al-Assad eventually goes. Assuming a meltdown does occur in the country, it will likely give rise to significant danger on Europe’s porous Eastern borders.

Bahrain has also been the scene of a crackdown on civilian opposition to the ruling elite with military support from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia most recently introduced limited societal reforms in an effort to quell rising voices of dissent.

The so called “Arab Spring” could potentially be turning into the “Arab Winter”.

Cutting Cost

Counter Terror Expo will be held at a time of deep governmental cost cutting as national economies globally strive to address issues gripping the financial markets.

National defence budgets (including counter terrorism efforts) are not immune to such pruning.

Irrespective of deeply devastating acts of terrorism in the past, some of these national budgets are being slashed as a result of a perceived peace dividend.

History has demonstrated previously that such a policy has a tendency to leave the gate open to future attack.

It is incumbent on the military, security services, industry and academia generally to drive this point home, whilst engaging in dialogue and developing solutions that fit with the current world politic at an acceptable and achievable price point.

The event

Counter Terror Expo’s operationally critical and highly respected centrepiece conference has a well deserved reputation for its delivery of insight, analysis and perspective on the range of threats faced. The event gathers over 100 internationally recognised speakers in the field of counter terrorism together annually, to debate the issues faced, define the operational strategies, and help to shape future policy within the secure conclave of conference.

Principal conferences include:

• Global Counter Terrorism

• Cyber Security and Electronic Terrorism

• Protection of Crowded Places (iincluding Designing Out Terrorism & Emergency Service Response)

• Critical National Infrastructure Protection

• Tactical Counter Terrorism

Conference is held alongside a wide range of hands-on Showcase events designed to highlight the capabilities of many of the technology solutions available to counter terrorism professional today, as well as an extensive range of educational Workshops presented by key experts from the industry sector.

Counter Terror Expo will feature several new Showcase events including the following.

1) CBRNE Protective Clothing & Equipment

This event primary focuses on the needs of the Military, Police, Emergency Services, EOD and Hazmat Teams responding to incidents and features:

• Live product demonstrations running throughout the event

• Scenario based demonstrations including decontamination, detection and incident management

2) IEDD Live Theatre

With specific relevance to Police, Fire, Military, Transport Security and other emergency responders , this event showcases the following:

• ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) capability through scenario based demonstrations

• Demonstrates ancillary equipment such as hook & line, jamming and ground scanning

• Highlights current generation suit mobility & maneuverability in extreme situations including victim recovery

3) Access Control Focus

Access to potentially high risk buildings and facilities remains a key consideration in counter terrorism planning. This event highlights the following:

• The substantial range of solutions available in the marketplace today.

• Circumstance dependent deployment methodologies.

• Hands on ability to assess current solutions

This world beating counter terrorism event is supported by an extensive Exhibition of hardware and software solutions from across the globe which spans both the Grand and West Halls at the prestigious Olympia Conference & Exhibition Center.

Olympics

Counter Terror Expo is an annual gathering and being held in its 4th year against the backdrop of the United Kingdom (UK) hosting the Summer Olympic Games.

In deciding to host this globally significant sporting event, the country has become a


potentially major target for those who would wish to cause harm on the world stage.

Olympic Games security planning has been ongoing since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded the Summer Games to the UK. Arrangements are widely regarded as the most robust defensive security model delivered in the history in the Games.

Counter Terror Expo delegates will gain valuable insight into this planning In the immediate run up to the Summer Olympic Games.

Gathering over 100 internationally recognised speakers in the field of counter terrorism together with over 400 leading industry technologists to debate the issues faced, define the operational strategies, and help to shape future counter terrorism policy, this event remains the only one of its kind in the world today that evolves in line with global geopolitics.

Counter Terror Expo is the principal event in the calendar of industry professionals globally and will be held next at London Olympia 25-28 April 2012.

‘Insideout:whatarethechallengestotheeffectiveassessmentoflearningandskillsprovisioninHMPrisonsandYouth

OffendingInstitutions’?

Aone-daynationalconference,freeofcharge,hostedbytheSchoolofEducationandSocialScienceattheUniversityofCentralLancashire.

Date: FridayDecember2nd2011

Location: BrookBuilding, UniversityofCentralLancashire, Preston,Lancashire

Time: 9.30–3.30pm

Theconferenceaimstogeneraterigorousdiscussionaroundthemostsignificantissuessurroundingself-assessmentandtheevaluationoftheprovisionofLearningandSkillsinHMprisonsandYouthOffendingInstitutions.

Outputswillbeusedtostructureformalrecommendationsforpolicychanges,forconsiderationbytheMinistryofJusticeandDepartmentofBusiness,InnovationandSkills.

Ticketscanbeobtainedfrom:

TheSchoolofEducationandSocialScience,UniversityofCentralLancashire,PR12HE

Telephone:01772892250or893108

Email:[email protected]@uclan.ac.uk

KeyNoteSpeakers/Presenters• LisaNandy-MPforWigan• RichardWardTeam-Leader,OffenderSkillsand

EmploymentPolicy,DepartmentforBusiness,InnovationandSkills

• DrAnitaWilson–ResearchFellowandPrisonEthnographer


HMP Styal - Recycling food wasteStyal has a comprehensive food recycling programme in place that turns nearly all food waste into compost for use in its extensive gardens. Its part of its overall recycling programmes and is very successful. Custodial Review visited in early October to find out more.

Eddie Tarry is the Gardens and Recycling Manager at HMP Styal. He joined Styal in 1980 with the Works Dept and stayed there until 2001 when his role as a plasterer became redundant. He then became took on a role as industrial Cleaner until 2009 when he moved and was based at the gardens. Soon after the Gardens Manager retired he was asked to take over the gardens on a day to day basis and eventually promoted to his present role. He admitted to me he had absolutely no idea about gardening at all when he took the role!

CR Gardens and Recycling Manager, that seems an unusual title, does it accurately reflect the role?

ET Yes it does, the title of Gardens and Recycling Manager came about because the recycling side of the prisons life has always been carried out by the Gardens Dept. Years ago recycling did not have the emphasis placed upon it that it does now and the prison only used to recycle 11% of its waste 3 years ago, its now up to 61.4%. The title reflects the importance we place on that part of the job. It changed to its present form when we installed all the food recycling equipment.

CR What other materials are recycled besides food waste?

ET As much as is possible, we are targeted by NOMS on the role so we also recycle plastics, cardboard, metals, ink cartridges, paper and wood. Batteries and a number of other items are sorted by the works department. However if you work on the principal that if something can be recycled then we will do it.

CR Why was the food recycling project started?

ET The beginning of the project occurred before I joined the department, so I am not conversant with all the facts. However it was done to save money and reduce waste. So reducing our carbon footprint and the amount of waste we sent to landfill. All government agencies have to look at waste recycling and also look to cut costs where possible. This is a

Eddie Tarry

The composting machine and the raw material.



prime area for both of those reasons.

CR Before the food recycling machinery was installed what was done with the waste food?

ET Some of the food was disposed of by using one of the three macerators in the prison, the rest was put in the bins and then sent to landfill with all the other prison waste. We used to send 24 large 1100 litre wheeled bins to landfill every week via a private contractor. This has now been reduced to 20.

CR How did the food recycling programme get under way, what was needed and purchased?

ET Pressure to achieve targets was the catalyst, we already knew that quite a lot of prisons had these systems in place where a machine takes waste food and process it into compost. So we were following a well trodden path. A bid was put in to Northwest Regional Office for the money to install a Big Hanna IVC composter unit, the buildings that would house it plus all the ancillary equipment, like a de-waterer unit and sorting benches, that is required to sort the waste before its composted.

CR How much food now goes into the general waste?

ET A little, however it’s the minute amount that is left on the plastic bags when the waste food is inadvertently thrown away on the wings. There are boxes on each wing into which waste food is supposed to be emptied

The wood pellets that are added to ‘start’ the composting process.

The bins that the inmates save waste food into.


HMP Styal continued

into when a meal is over. However some prisoners don’t see fit to do this and scrape the food into the general waste bins. We have a system here in the recycling sheds that recovers this waste. All the rubbish bags the prisoners generate are sorted through to separate out the recyclable waste and during this process any waste food that is found is transferred into the food composting process.

CR How much compost does the machine produce? And is the heat recaptured for instance?

ET We only produce compost, it is possible to capture other by products such as heat but that was deemed not to be an economic choice here. We turn four 1100 litre wheeled bins of food waste into compost each week. It sounds a huge amount however it should be seen against the background information that we have 450 prisoners eating 3 meals seven days a week. We produce approximately 250 to 300 litres of compost a week as a result. Therefore, we are reducing it by volume by about 90%. Much of the food is mostly water and it’s the de- watering unit that we process the food through first which reduces the volume very quickly.

CR What is the compost used for and can you sell it for cash?

ET It goes onto some of the gardens within the prison. We cannot sell it because the Environmental Agency Certificate that we have only allows us to use the compost within the prison. This is due to the possibility of cross contamination, the reasoning being is that the compost contains food waste such as meat and fish and some bacteria may survive the composting process. We cannot use it on vegetables that we sell to staff as they will take them outside the prison. The compost is used on the flowerbeds around the prison. There are also economic reasons why we cannot sell it direct to the public.

CR It seems strange to me that all over the UK countryside there are millions of acres of fields full of crops and there are animals of all types with a huge range of bacteria on them wandering about then dying and their carcass is rotting and the plants are feeding off it which we eat. Yet you cannot use compost produced in a controlled environment to grow food?

ET That’s the rules; we are governed by the Environmental Agency that’s what they tell us so we have to work with them so our hands are tied. However, I am informed we could sell it but we would have a lot of red tape to get through.

CR The compost itself is it like the stuff you buy in a garden centre and what do you do with such a huge amount?


The paper shredder.

The finished compost straight out of the machine.


ET It looks nothing like the compost you buy in bags from the garden centre! I don’t like it, but that’s a personal opinion. It’s not rich dark mulch compost. It looks more like large grains of sand or sawdust. The trick seems to be to leave it to mature for as long as possible before it’s used on the plants. It seems to improve that way. It takes about 6-10 weeks to transform the food into the compost within the machine. If you then leave it for a year it improves considerably. We had it tested and it’s a neutral Ph so it’s ideal for general use. It grows beautiful plants and is easy to handle. It just doesn’t look like compost as we usually know it!

Thanks for talking the Review Eddie.

Richard Heys is the Horticultural Trainer at Styal; he works for Manchester Collage who is the suppliers of training services to HMP Styal. He started as an Instructor in the gardens two years ago, contributing in firstly, delivering an educational course and secondly, assisting in landscaping projects throughout the prison. This partnership between the Prison Service and Manchester College is working positively to educate and help in the rehabilitation of prisoners in horticulture.

He spent 27 years in the NHS as a Facilities Manager and then formed his own landscaping business. He also taught adults at Further Education College as he loves acquiring and passing on knowledge. He joined Styal after a while spent at Buckley Hall and moved to Styal because of his knowledge of horticulture, teaching and composting with the Big Hanna system.

HMP Styal continued


Richard HeysCompost storage bins.

Year old compost.

The bins that send waste to landfill.



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His role at HMP Styal is to deliver NOCN qualification’s in gardening skills to the prisoners. It requires them to be able to identify and care for a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers in a variety of soil conditions. They are soon moving onto the NPTC City and Guilds qualification, as it’s a far more widely recognised one in the industry as it involves far more practical skills in the course. Richard has done extensive experiments mixing different amounts of the compost with soil or conventional peat free mulch and found that if he uses 100% compost you get

fantastic results with sunflowers and other blooms. Other mixes work well for other plant groups. So it works very well, it just doesn’t look that good!

CR What effect does the composting machine have on your role?

RH An enormous effect! We use the compost from the recycled food mixed with a larger amount of multipurpose compost to grow plants and flowers in. It’s a superb medium that produces fabulous results. The food waste compost doesn’t have the volume or body, that traditional compost has, however

when combined together they are very good growing medium! We cannot use 100% food waste compost to grow food products in. Not just from a cross contamination point of view but also because it doesn’t, in my opinion, have the ‘body’ to do the job properly. One part food waste compost to 5 parts conventional compost seems to produce the best results, but we are still fine tuning that split.

CR You are not allowed to use this compost in its 100% form to grow food, how do you compost the vegetables you do grow?

ET We buy in small quantities of compost

The reflection garden

The ‘Station’ in the reflection garden


from the local nursery for this type of use.

CR Are there any sorts of hidden costs to this composting system?

ET The only ongoing costs are the pellets and a small amount of electric for the de watering equipment and the composter. The pellets are used as a starter for the composting process as they contain the bacterium that does the work. If we just put the food waste into the machine and turned it on we would just heat up the waste food. The bacteria are the organisms that do the job of converting the dried food waste into compost. The pellets are nothing special and are purchased in large plastic bags; they are usually beech wood and about 1 cm square. Unfortunately, as the pellets are wood they are classed as fuel, so they go up and down in price as the cost of oil fluctuates! When we first started it cost us £280 for 55 15kg bags, the same amount is now £320.

CR Are there and unexpected benefits of the system? Other than filled potholes!

ET The prisoners are now fully on board with the recycling issue. Prisoners being somewhat sceptical by nature will try to buck the system. We have had to re educate them

all so they understand how important it is and it seems to have stuck. When we first started it was an uphill battle to get them to put the waste food into the separate container. Now it’s done as a matter of habit because their fellow prisoners are advocating doing it properly because they are the ones who have to sort out the wrongly mixed rubbish. Its peer pressure together with encouragement from the wing staff that has enabled the system to become effective. We expect that the habit of recycling will go with them once they leave. Another benefit was that we were finding that food products were being thrown away that didn’t need to be, such as condiment sachets and packets of biscuits. We don’t recover them for reuse but we were able to inform the kitchen where the waste was taking place and they were able to take appropriate action to reduce the loss.

CR What is the plan over the next 2 years to carry forward the Manchester College with Styal?

RH The plan is to full roll out the NPTC City and guilds qualification level one, with progression to level two if appropriate and time is available. We already have over 100 people through the qualification. Hopefully

we will be putting a garden up at the RHS show that is held at Tatton Park. We are hoping to base the garden concept around the ‘Reflection’ garden that we have created.

It’s an area behind the Gymnasium that has been designed and built by the Horticultural trainees. It’s a place of peace and tranquillity that encourages visitors to think about the paths that led them here and the opportunities that the future holds. It has scented flowers and quiet areas; it also has a mock up of a train station to remind people that this is a stepping off point not a final destination.

CR What jobs could the NPTC City and Guilds in Gardening qualification enable inmates to obtain once they left?

RH There are an increasing number of jobs in grounds maintainace, both employed and self employed, Garden centres, Landscape gardeners and nurseries all need qualified and skilled people. The National Trust and English Heritage also need these people. It is a huge area for employment and recently one of our leavers obtained a job with a horticultural company near Preston.

Thanks for talking the Review.

We use the compost from the recycled food mixed with a larger amount of multipurpose compost to grow plants and flowers in.

It’s a superb medium that produces fabulous results.


The Mobile Phone Detection Arms Race

Mobile phone detector technology, in theory, could solve one of the biggest problems facing a prison. If you can detect where the phone is then you can confiscate it! On the face of it that’s the job done! But it’s never that simple. As with all technology there is an arms race, and as the technological west has found out in during its recent campaigns its difficult because its an asymmetric war. The other side hasn’t the kit or the finance, but it has the time and the manpower.

CPD 351 Remote Detector

CPD 310 Radio Hub and printer

The early detector systems, based on Spectrum Analyser technology were handicapped because they gave such huge amounts of information that it was almost impossible to determine what exactly the device was detecting. They displayed all the phone activity in the area, including the base stations and the carrier signals. Quite simply they displayed so much information they were almost useless for detecting illegal mobile phones use unless the operator was highly trained and skilled. Something that wasn’t practical within tough staffing constraints.

Recent developments in RF components and microprocessor technology have simplified this huge amount of data and made the units very user friendly with minimal training whilst still detecting the illegal phone. The GSM196 by PDA Electronics is typical of a simple to use handheld detectors which uses both visual and cadence vibration indications allowing searching to be carried out quite covertly. Initially there was only a need to detect 2G or GSM handsets but now the detectors must cope with 3G technology as well. With the current pace of phone developments, detectors will soon need to detect 4G technology as well.

So for a while the staff had the upper hand as they could solve the problem by walking such a unit around inside the wings after lock up and, hey presto, the offending persons cell could be easily identified and searched.

This was countered when the inmates discovered these detectors capabilities and realised the obvious weakness! Inmates realised that lengthy calls could be easily traced so many

started to use SMS or text transmissions.

As the duration of a text message transmission is approximately 1 second, staff could pick up the transmission but did not have time to pinpoint the direction of the transmission even with the small directional antennas that can be added to the units. It was a case that you needed to be at the right place at the right time to have any hope of pinpointing the source of a text message.

The need to have a 24/7 detection coverage without requiring officers to constantly patrol the wings became the next stage. Although there are distributed systems on the market, they all involve linking the units via cable which is not suitable in prison environments. The alternative was to link

units to a base unit via radio which would provide easy installation and mobility

GSM196 Handheld Detector


CPD 351 Remote Detector

CPD 391 Repeater Module

CPD 355 Detector with Magnetic Rubber Pad

of units. Static detectors were developed that can be easily hidden in areas like service cupboards and which could operate on internal rechargeable batteries for several days. The CPD3000 system developed by PDA Electronics is a good example. With this type of system several of the detectors can be placed covertly around a wing and when illegal mobiles are detected they relay the time, type of technology (2G or 3G), call or text transmission and relative signal strength each unit detects back to a base station in the security office. It’s then possible to determine within a few cells where the mobile phone was being used and therefore staff could be dispatched with the handheld units to pinpoint the exact cells in which phones were being used. So the system allowed staff to be in the right place at the right time. However knowledge of an officer was on the wing with a detector however after lock up was quickly disseminated to adjacent inmates resulting in the illegal phones being turned off. This turned the detection process into an all night game of hide and seek.

What was now needed was a way of identifying the exact cells in which phones were being used without staff being present.

This meant that additional detectors would be needed to monitor individual cells. The units needed to small, communicate alarms remotely and be easy to install without alerting inmates. To address these issues a low cost version of an existing detector unit was developed. It was important that the unit does not have any flashing lights and is small enough to not be noticed. Wing landing lights are turned down at night and this would help make these units almost impossible to spot. This tiny unit attaches to the door via a magnetic rubber pad, which allows for almost silent installation and detects phone activity by the signal leaking out from under the door of the cell it’s attached to. It then relays this information to back to the central base station. In this way numerous cells can be individually monitored at very low cost night at night. The identified cells can then searched ‘en bloc’ before unlocking all the cells. This approach can yield multiple phones as no indication is given to culprits that they have been identified during the night. A raid on a suspect cell at night may yield one phone but the commotion will inevitably signal other users that a search operation is in progress , causing them to cease all phone activity for the remainder of that night.

This solution has its own built in problem because the tiny size reduces the battery capacity and therefore the

length of time the unit can function. To get around the problem it was necessary to utilise small low powered transmitters as found in car key fobs which use far less energy. This however limits the transmission range, so to overcome this meant developing a special repeater which can detects these weak signals within a wing, recover the data and transmit the data back to the base unit using a more powerful transmitter on another frequency. By placing the repeaters in the roof voids, it makes it easier for the signals from the detectors are easier to pick up which means more cells can be monitored.

A problem with radio based static systems is getting the signal out of the wing buildings and back to a distant security office.

Distance and the construction of the actual buildings will cause problems. Certain new construction methods prevent radio signals, including prisons radios from leaking out of these buildings. To combat this repeaters were developed to pick up all the detector signals from inside the building and then relaying the signal back to the base unit via an external antenna mounted in the roof area.

In some prisons the accommodation wings are at one end of the estate, the shared facilities such as workshops and gymnasium are in the middle and the administration block is at the other end next to the gatehouse. It is therefore necessary for the relayed signal to

travel through several buildings and thick walls that in order to reach the security centre where it can be interpreted.

To solve these issued it was necessary to develop another type of repeater in order that the signal from the phone detectors and or repeaters could be passed back without the need to install expensive cabling. If there is a significant metal clad building in the way, this signal cannot be passed again through another conventional repeater as these are only looking for detector signals. The answer was to develop the trunk repeater-a repeater which only repeats repeater signals. When placed in or on an obstructing building, especially a metal clad one, this unit can pick up repeater transmissions, verify them and retransmit the information at full power again. If line of sight can be obtained , directional antennas which have gain can be used to further boost the range.

This has solved the remaining problems in many establishments and it also gives the ability to extend the system range to 15km (line of sight) between phone detector and base station. No prison in the UK is this size, but the high signal strength margin enables detector information to arrive securely whether it has to cover large distances, be relayed around topography or pass through or over thick walls.

This distributed system with its associated radio links enable quick installation with minimum works involvement. Additional detectors can be quickly and easily added. This is especially relevant as when new RF threats are identified , new types of detectors can be easily added to an existing system. This approach makes the system future proof and therefore value for money.

For more information on the development of the technology of mobile phone detectors please contact Andy Loakes at PDA on 01494-794949 [email protected] www.pdaelectronics.com


Pan Sussex Crime Diversion Scheme helps young people to ‘KeepOut’Saturday 1 October saw the launch of an innovative pan Sussex project that aims to reduce offending across the two counties. KeepOut – The Crime Diversion Scheme, working in partnership with HMP Lewes, officially opened its service to groups working with at risk young people.

KeepOut is a unique way of tackling and preventing crime. It is the first ever crime diversion scheme to be delivered by dedicated teams of serving prisoners – managed by civilian staff – inside UK prisons. These prisoners are trained by KeepOut to run intervention programmes for young people that inform, support and divert those between 13 and 17 who are either at risk of entering the criminal justice system or are already involved in criminal activity.

KeepOut already operate successful crime diversion schemes within HMP Coldingley at Bisley in Surrey – where Category C male prisoners work with 13 to 17 year olds – and at HMP Send near Ripley, Surrey, with female prisoners delivering programmes to 14 to 17 year olds (ages inclusive).

The scheme at HMP Lewes has been designed as a full-time working location for between 15 and 20 prisoners each year. Prisoners offered a place on the scheme will meet strict selection and vetting criteria. A full training package will give them the required skills and competencies to work with the groups of young people who attend workshops in the prison.

A week-long programme of crime diversion interventions will be offered to groups of young people through a network of referring agencies across Sussex. Partners

include Sussex Police, the Sussex Youth Justice Service, secondary schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), voluntary groups and youth organisations. It is anticipated that the project will also take referrals from Magistrates Courts.

KeepOut anticipates that between 650 to 950 young people from across Sussex will benefit each year, once the scheme is embedded. A full-time Operations Manager and Support Worker will manage the scheme and seven prisoners at HMP Lewes have already completed their intensive programme of training.

The new scheme has been entirely funded by grant making trusts and individual donations. James Marlow, Fundraising Officer for KeepOut said: “We are very grateful to all those who have contributed towards making this scheme a reality.”

Speaking about the new scheme, the Governor at HMP Lewes, Robin Eldridge commented: “The opportunity to partner with KeepOut and play a part in building on the foundations laid in other prisons is both exciting and compelling. The programme will employ Sussex prisoners engaging with Sussex young people, motivating and encouraging them to lead a life free from criminality. In my view that has to be the right thing to do; it is wholly appropriate and offers the potential to truly impact on reducing re-offending by helping to prevent young people entering the criminal justice system and enabling them to break free from a downward spiral of anti social and criminal activity.”

KeepOut sends a hugely powerful message to these young people. The prisoner teams set out the likely consequences if those attending the workshops continue to be involved in crime, or are thinking of becoming involved with criminal activity.

What better place to hear that message than in a prison – and to hear it from the people who have been deprived of their liberty? The prisoners speak with honesty and passion about the very negative consequences that their offending has had on their lives, their families and the victims of their crimes

The aim is for the prisoner teams to impart as much accurate information as possible, and so make the young people aware of the real implications of their decisions. The way in which prisoners give personal testimonies of their life stories and the triggers to their offending behaviour makes a lasting impression. Both within the sessions and afterwards, many young people demonstrate the positive impact that the visit has had on both their attitudes and their behaviour.

KeepOut is an independent charity and was founded in 1996 by a prisoner nearing the end

of his life sentence; its President is the actress, Penelope Keith. KeepOut has proven success in changing attitudes and behaviours, both for offenders and young people.

Since the scheme started in HMP Coldingley in 1996 and in HMP Send in 2007, some 15,000 young people have taken part in this unique crime diversion scheme – delivered by dedicated teams of serving prisoners inside UK prisons.

Leading actress Penelope Keith is the President for KeepOut and has been involved with the charity since 2004. Most recently, speaking as President of KeepOut, she said:

“I am privileged to be part of such an excellent scheme. I am excited about its future and in particular the planned developments. I attended the event to launch the new name KeepOut in March 2010. This highlighted the fantastic work accomplished by the scheme, supporting the rehabilitation of offenders and the education of young people not to offend or re-offend. The prisoner team produced a polished presentation demonstrating the skills they have learnt and the techniques they use to pass on the key messages to young people.”

Patrons of KeepOut include;

Sir Denis O’Connor CBE QPM – Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary.

The Hon Lord Justice Toulson QC PC

Rob Douglas CBE

For more information visit www.crimediversionscheme.org.uk

Penelope Keith, President of KeepOut

http://www.crimediversionscheme.org.uk


HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports

Police Custody in Cambridgeshire – much improved 27 September 2011Police custody provision in Cambridgeshire had improved significantly, said

Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, and Dru Sharpling, HM Inspector of Constabulary, publishing the report of a follow-up inspection into custody suites in Cambridgeshire.

The inspection was a follow-up to a previous critical inspection in 2008, and part of a national programme of joint inspections of police custody. It covered six custody suites serving Peterborough, Huntingdon, Cambridge, March, Ely and St Neots, as well as King’s Lynn in Norfolk, whose cells could be used by Cambridgeshire Police. There had been a great deal of work done strategically to address previous findings and much effort had been made to improve the standard of the custody estate, including safety, general cleanliness and managing graffiti.

Inspectors were also pleased to find that:

• detainees were treated professionally and with respect, and were generally well cared for;

• there was an appropriate balance between progressing cases and the rights and entitlements of detainees;

• there was now a good focus on the safety of detainees;

• primary health provision had improved and care was now timely and of good quality; and

• substance use services were well developed, including for those with a primary problem with alcohol.

However, there were some concerns:

• some staff working in custody were not permanent and some day-today management arrangements were confusing;

• staffing levels at Huntingdon were a particular concern, with only one sergeant on duty;

• the specific needs of some vulnerable groups, such as juveniles, required greater focus;

• CCTV was used for the constant observation of very vulnerable detainees, and procedures for rousing detainees under the influence of drugs or alcohol were inconsistent; and

• while improved, there were still many people held in police custody as a place of safety under section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

Nick Hardwick and Dru Sharpling said:

“Overall, provision of police custody in Cambridgeshire was much improved from our previous inspection and, in particular, we noted a much more positive staff culture focused on the welfare of detainees and far more respectful and decent custody facilities. The main weaknesses related to staffing and management arrangements, together with a need for still further improvements to the support for detainees with mental health problems. Notwithstanding the many current challenges facing all police forces, we hope this report will help Cambridgeshire Constabulary and the Police Authority to resolve our remaining concerns and further develop provision.”

Police custody in Sussex – well managed 2 june 2011Police custody provision in Sussex was good, with well trained staff and good strategic leadership, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, and Dru Sharpling, HM Inspector of Constabulary, publishing the report of a joint inspection into custody suites in Sussex.

The inspection was part of a national programme of joint inspections of police custody and covered six custody suites serving Chichester, Worthing, Crawley, Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton. Overall, there were some areas of excellent practice. However there were also a small number of areas for improvement. Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• as well as good strategic leadership for the custodial function, there was solid support from the Police Authority and significant long-term investment in the custodial estate;

• staff, including privately contracted custody staff, were well trained and motivated;

• there were excellent management information systems, with sound

• learning from adverse incidents;

• interactions between staff and detainees were professional, basic decency issues properly attended to and appropriate attention paid to the needs of different groups of detainees, such as women and children;

• a positive approach was taken to balancing the priorities of progressing cases and ensuring detainees’ rights under the Police and Criminal

Evidence Act (PACE);

• the management of forensic samples was generally sound; and

• there were good mental health services.

However, there were some concerns:

• custody suites were clean, but some cells contained ligature points, which required remedial work and appropriate management;

• the quality of privately contracted health care services provided by Reliance was mixed, and substance misuse services required better coordination; and

• despite links with the relevant NHS authorities, police custody was too often used as ‘place of safety’ under the Mental Health Act.

Nick Hardwick and Dru Sharpling said:

“Overall, this is a good inspection report on a force which has paid appropriate attention to developing its custodial provision and managing the inherent risks posed. The report sets out a small number of recommendations that we hope will assist the Chief Constable and the Police Authority to improve the quality of custody provision still further. We expect them to consider these in the wider context of force priorities and resourcing, and to provide us with an action plan in due course.”

Nick Hardwick - Chief Inspector of Prisons


HMYOI Warren Hill – getting back on track 3 October 2011HMYOI Warren Hill is rising above its recent problems and getting back on track, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced inspection of the young offender institution in Suffolk.

In 2010, Warren Hill suffered a serious disturbance and lost half its accommodation. On top of this, much needed new buildings suffered accidental water damage which has delayed their opening. This inspection found that Warren Hill had seen a number of improvements.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• Warren Hill was reasonably safe and young people at risk of self-harm were generally well cared for;

• use of force was generally appropriate and substance use was not a significant problem;

• plans were being made to refurbish the damaged wings;

• relationships between staff and young people were good;

• learning and skills provision was good, and most young people spent a good deal of

time out of cell; and

• the strategic management of resettlement had improved and there were appropriate offending behaviour programmes.

However, inspectors were concerned to find that:

• reception and first night accommodation remained unacceptable, but would, it is hoped, shortly be replaced by new buildings;

• young people were still routinely strip-searched on arrival;

• more work was needed to address bullying;

• some young people spent too long in segregation;

• some poor behaviour went unchallenged; and

• there was a need for further work to address negative perceptions among black and minority ethnic young people.

The separate Carlford Unit continued to provide an important resource in housing a small number of long-term sentenced young people.

Nick Hardwick said:

“Warren Hill was at something of a crossroads at the time of the inspection; work had not yet started on refurbishing the accommodation damaged in the recent disturbances and some much needed new accommodation had not

come on stream because of accidental water damage. Nevertheless, this inspection found a number of areas of improvement and much to commend at Warren Hill. It is to be hoped that the establishment will be allowed to move swiftly on after a very difficult period and return to being an important part of the young offender secure estate.”



Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS)


HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports continued

Hmp Wayland – 10 October 2011 Generally positive but drug treatment and health care concernsHMP Wayland had many strengths but must urgently address its health care and drug treatment arrangements, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an announced inspection of the Norfolk training jail. The prison had expanded in recent years and seen significant changes to its population. Inspectors found the prison was settling down and, in most areas, producing

some good outcomes for prisoners. There were, however, some major exceptions to this generally positive picture and these needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency. Inspectors were pleased to find that:

Wayland was a generally safe prison, with relatively low levels of bullying and thorough investigations into alleged incidents;

• use of force was low and care for prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm was good;

• there was good provision of purposeful activity, with a wide range of high quality work and education available;

• most prisoners could leave their cells for at least eight hours a day; and

• there was a good range of resettlement interventions, particularly with housing and employment needs.

However, inspectors had some concerns:

• changes to the drug treatment system had been badly introduced and caused significant disruption to the prison and risk to individual prisoners;

• strategic management of health care was poor and partnership arrangements were weak;

• staff shortages and the chaotic administration of medication had a negative impact on the prison regime as a whole; and

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said: “I am pleased to see that Warren Hill continues to make significant progress and that the Chief Inspector recognises the work that has been done to create a safe environment.

“Despite the challenges since the November disturbance Warren Hill continues to provide good education, resettlement and offending behaviour programmes, all of which help to reduce the likelihood of re-offending and thereby protect the public.”

Campsfield House Immigration Removal Centre – too little progressProgress had stalled at Campsfield House, but with a new provider in place, it is hoped that our concerns can be addressed, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced inspection of the Oxfordshire immigration removal centre.

Campsfield House’s last inspection was largely complimentary. This inspection came at a time of uncertainty over Campsfield House’s future and many of our previous recommendations had yet to be implemented. Shortly after the inspection, the provider – GEO Group UK Ltd – was replaced by MITIE.

Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• early days at the centre remained generally well managed;

• detainees felt safe, and there was little bullying or use of force;

• relationships between staff and detainees were satisfactory, supported by effective welfare officers;

• the number of work placements remained good and allocation arrangements had improved; and

• access to phones and email were good.


• while enforced ‘separation’ was not overused, it was sometimes not properly authorised;

• there were a number of weaknesses in UKBA casework;

• there was a need for more interpretation services and wider use of translated notices;

• there were significant weaknesses in health care services;

• some multi-disciplinary attempts were made to manage vulnerable detainees leaving the centre, but attention needed to focus more on detainee care rather than solely on control issues; and

• education provision had not increased

and was particularly unsuitable for those spending lengthy periods in the centre.

Nick Hardwick said:

“Campsfield House has faced an unsettling time as UKBA deliberated on the centre’s future and on which private company should manage it.

To the centre’s credit, this inspection identified few signs of significant deterioration. However, we also noted that too little progress had been made in remedying areas that we had previously identified as requiring improvement and had particular concerns about the lack of progress in health care. With a new provider in place, there is now no excuse for the centre not to make expeditious progress on our recommendations.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS)

HMYOI Warren Hill continued

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October 10, 2011 – follow-up reports by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland into Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Women’s Prison

Small improvements no substitute for overhaul of women’s prison and young offenders centre

GREAT efforts have been made by staff and small improvements gained at Hydebank Wood Women’s Prison and Young Offenders Centre, but further progress cannot be achieved within the present regimes operating in both facilities. That’s the view of the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland in two follow-up inspection reports published onMonday 10 October 2011 for Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Women’s Prison.

The reports make 100 recommendations in respect of the Young Offenders Centre, and 90 in respect of the Women’s Prison. “Staff at both facilities are to be commended for the efforts they have made to deliver improvements since our last inspections and indeed some progress has been made,” said Dr Michael Maguire. “However, it is our considered view that further and substantial improvements in each facility are not possible in the current operating environments at both the Women’s Prison and the Young Offenders Centre. “The improvements are welcome but they are no substitute for the overhaul required in both centres.” The inspections were carried out by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, HM Chief Inspector

of Prisons, the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority and the Education and Training Inspectorate and were unannounced follow-ups to full inspections carried out in 2007. Nick Hardwick, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in England and Wales, said; “There were too many lock-downs, association regularly started late and finished early, and there was insufficient work to keep prisoners occupied. Punishments for disciplinary offences were too severe for young men and security measures were not sufficiently intelligence-led.”

Both follow-up reports reiterated previously stated views that, in the case of Ash House, the Northern Ireland Prison Service should create, ‘a separate and dedicated women’s facility, without which the needs of this vulnerable population are unlikely to be properly met,’ and that Hydebank Wood YOC is ‘quite simply an unsuitable place to hold children under the age of 18.’

Inspectors urged the Northern Ireland Prison Service to collaborate with the Youth Justice Agency and Department of Justice to ‘urgently relocate all male children from Hydebank YOC to Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre.’ “These situations have not changed and our considered recommendations remain,” said Dr. Maguire. “Furthermore, we believe that the education services in both facilities need to be addressed and tailored to the particular needs of prisoners in both the Women’s Prison and Hydebank Wood. “In both establishments we believe it is now necessary to provide effective collaboration with external education and training providers – such as further education and/or work-based learning suppliers – as a matter of urgency.”

Dr Maguire added that the health needs of both young offenders and women prisoners were not properly met as health services were under-resourced and poorly managed. The mental health needs of prisoners were ‘a particular concern’, as was the lack of

opportunity for them to spend time in the open air and to participate in exercise. RQIA has published a separate, detailed report into healthcare provision at Hydebank Wood YOC and Ash House Women’s Prison. This makes specific recommendations for those organisations involved in the commissioning and provision of healthcare services within these prisons.

HMYOI Aylesbury – insufficient progress 18 October 2011 HMYOI Aylesbury was not making sufficient progress in any area other than resettlement, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced inspection of the Buckinghamshire young offender institution.

Aylesbury’s last full inspection in March 2009 found that the prison was achieving reasonably good outcomes for prisoners in most areas, but there was a lack of opportunity for prisoners to engage in work, training or education. This short follow-up inspection found in some areas, particularly purposeful activity, the outcomes appeared to have declined.

Inspectors were concerned to find that:

• although the number of violent incidents and assaults appeared to be declining, they often involved the use of weapons;

• batons had been drawn by staff on nearly 40 occasions over the last two years and, although used on only a few occasions, this use was much more than inspectors had seen elsewhere;

• staff-prisoner relationships appeared distant; there was no drug therapy system in place, and suspicion drug tests were

continues overleaf ucontinues next page

• offender management arrangements were weak and inconsistent.

Nick Hardwick said:

“Most prisoners at Wayland were safe and lived in decent conditions. They could take part in a range of good quality work, education and training activities and, for the most part, they received effective help with their practical resettlement needs. “These good arrangements were put at risk by poor health care, the very poorly implemented introduction of an opiate dose reduction regime and weak planning of prisoners’ sentences to reduce the risk of reoffending on release. These weaknesses need to be quickly addressed if the prison is to continue its progress and avoid slipping back.” Michael

Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said: “This is an encouraging report and I am pleased the Chief Inspector identified that despite significant changes to its population, Wayland was safe and provided good outcomes for prisoners. The Chief

Inspector’s comments on purposeful activity and self-harm reduction measures are also welcome. “Since the inspection, the Governor and staff have worked with providers to undertake a programme of improvements to areas such as health care, including better drug treatment systems. “These measures, combined with a good range of resettlement provision, will reduce the likelihood of reoffending and thereby protect the public.”

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/inspectorate-reports/hmi-prisons/prison-and-yoi-inspections/index.htm 2. HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote positive outcomes for those detained and the public. 3. This announced inspection was carried out from 6-10 June 2011. 4. HMP Wayland is a category C male training prison. 5. Please contact Jane Parsons in HMI Prisons Press Office on 0207 035 2123 or 07880 787452 from 0915 to 1415 Monday to Friday if you would like more information or to request an interview with Nick Hardwick.


HM Inspectorate of Prisons Reports continued

not always carried out;

• accommodation was poor, with dirty cells and insufficient encouragement to prisoners to keep them clean;

• there was far too little for prisoners to do, and 44% of prisoners were locked behind their cell doors during the working part of the day; and

• the quantity and range of work, training and education had decreased.

However, inspectors were pleased to find that:

• although high, the number of incidents where staff used force had declined;

• arrangements to support prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide had much improved;

• a new management team for education and vocational training had been in place from January 2011 and some improvement was becoming evident; and

• resettlement work was improving, with a comprehensive reducing reoffending strategy, and good work with indeterminate-sentenced prisoners.

Nick Hardwick said:

“A short follow-up inspection is necessarily limited and does not provide a sufficiently comprehensive picture of a prison for us to make the firm judgements that we would in a full inspection. Nevertheless, we saw a prison in which young men serving long sentences spent most of the day locked in their cells and, when they were out on the wings, too little attempt to engage them or help them develop the skills and experience they needed to get and hold down a job on release.

“However, there were signs of improvement. Levels of violence were falling and a new management team was beginning to make an improvement in learning and skills. The prison now needs some assistance to build on this and its improving resettlement work, so that young men leave the prison having received the support and direction which might help reduce the risk that they offend again.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said:

“Aylesbury has a challenging population and I am pleased that improvement is acknowledged in key areas such as safety, vocational training and resettlement.

“The Governor and staff will now tackle the concerns raised over the use of force, staff-prisoner relationships and purposeful activity.

“All these actions, combined with already the effective resettlement highlighted here, will reduce the likelihood of reoffending and thereby protect the public.”

HMP Exeter – good progress on safety 19th October 2011 HMP Exeter had seen significant improvements in safety and in health care, but less progress in other areas, said Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons, publishing the report of an unannounced inspection of the local jail in Devon.

HMP Exeter is a Victorian city centre prison holding a transient population of remanded and sentenced men and young adults, some of whom require a high level of care and/or control. Its last inspection was fairly critical. Inspectors were pleased to find that:

• violence reduction was well managed, security was better resourced and use of force was low;

• prisoners at risk of self-harm were properly cared for;

• drug treatment had been successfully introduced, providing a good level of care and treatment for substance abusers;

• reception facilities had been refurbished and transformed;

• relationships between staff and prisoners were generally good; and health care had improved.


• first night facilities were not consistently available;

• the needs of foreign national prisoners and prisoners with disabilities were not being adequately met;

• little progress had been made on the provision of work, education and training and almost 50% of prisoners were found locked in their cells during the working day; and

• there were backlogs in offender management and too many delays in transferring sex offenders to other prisons which could address their risks.

Nick Hardwick said:

“Exeter prison faces all the challenges of an elderly, city centre

local prison, including limited infrastructure and a transient population of prisoners with a vast array of risks and needs. The prison had made commendable progress on safety, about which we had previously been very concerned. Progress was less visible in many other areas, although we recognised that managers and staff were working hard to further develop the prison and we hope these efforts will bear fruit in the coming months.”

Michael Spurr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), said:

“I am pleased that the Chief Inspector found that Exeter has made significant progress in the areas of safety and healthcare and

that the use of force was low.

“The Governor and her staff will continue to work hard to improve in areas where less progress has been made such as purposeful activity and diversity.”

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Clarke: Tough intelligent sentences

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced a new sentencing regime on 26 October 2011

This will see more dangerous criminals given life sentences, an end to the indeterminate sentencing system, to be replaced by long determinate prison terms, and mandatory custodial sentences to be available for both adults and 16-17 years olds convicted of aggravated knife and offensive weapon offences.

It follows the Prime Minister’s announcement on 21 June 2011 that the Government would review the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence with a view to replacing it with a new regime which would be better understood by the public and command greater confidence.

The new regime will include:

• Mandatory life sentences - a ‘two strikes’ policy so that a mandatory life sentence will be given to anyone convicted of a second very serious sexual or violent crime. This will mean that mandatory life sentences can be given for crimes other than murder

• Extending the category of the most serious sexual and violent offences to include child sex offences, terrorism offences and ‘causing or allowing the death of a child’ so that the new provisions will apply to them

• The Extended Determinate Sentence (EDS) – all dangerous criminals convicted of serious sexual and violent crimes will be imprisoned for at least two thirds of their sentence, marking an end to the regime which allowed the release of these offenders at the half-way point. Offenders convicted of the most serious sexual and violent crimes in this category will not be released before the end of their sentence without Parole Board approval

• Extended licence period – criminals who complete an EDS must then serve

extended licence periods where they will be closely monitored and returned to prison if necessary. The courts have the power to give up to an extra five years of licence for violent offenders and eight years for sexual offenders on top of their prison sentence

• Mandatory custodial sentence for aggravated knife possession - 16 and 17 years olds – but not younger children - convicted of using a knife or offensive weapon to threaten and endanger will face a mandatory four month Detention and Training Order (DTO). The Government has already announced proposals for a mandatory six month sentence for adults convicted of the same offence.

Kenneth Clarke said:

‘We intend to replace the widely criticised IPP system, which the public doesn’t have confidence in, with a new regime of tough, determinate sentences. Under our plans we expect more dangerous offenders to receive life sentences. Those getting the new Extended Determinate Sentence will have to serve at least two-thirds of it behind bars before release. We are clear that there will be no automatic release before the end of the full sentence for the most serious cases.

‘The new regime will restore clarity, coherence and common sense to sentencing, rid us of the inconsistent and confusing IPP regime and give victims a clearer understanding of how long offenders will actually serve in prison.

‘We have already announced that we are bringing in an automatic prison sentence for any adults who use a knife to threaten and endanger. Clearly any extension of this sentence to children requires very careful consideration. However, we need to send out a clear message about the seriousness of juvenile knife crime, so we are proposing to extend a suitable equivalent sentence to 16-17 year olds, but not to younger children.’

The new measures will be debated in the House of Commons next week and if passed, will be added to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which is currently progressing through Parliament.

These changes will not apply retrospectively to current prisoners: those on existing IPPs will continue to be assessed on a case by case basis by the Parole Board.

Sentences of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPPs) were created by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and became available in April 2005. They were designed to protect the public from serious offenders whose crimes did not merit a life sentence.

Offenders sentenced to an IPP are set a minimum term (tariff) which they must spend in prison. After they have completed their tariff they can apply to the Parole Board for release. The Parole Board will release an offender only if it is satisfied that the risk of harm presented by an offender is such that it may be safely managed in the community. If offenders are given parole they will be on supervised licence for at least 10 years. If offenders are refused parole they can only apply again after one year.

The Detention and Training Order is the main custodial sentence for under-18s which is served half in custody and half under supervision in the community.


Orchestra helps prisoners make A Bigger Sound Offenders at a prison in Hertfordshire are working alongside musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) in a music rehabilitation project designed to help them learn instruments and put together a creative arts performance.

‘A Bigger Sound’ is a project organised by charity and community organisations Music in Prisons and Rideout and the RPO. The project gives prisoners at HMP The Mount the opportunity to take part in music and creative arts workshops, culminating in a cross-arts performance inside the prison at the end of September.

Alec Haylor from RPO said: ‘All the musicians have had to focus and work as a group to create and rehearse the collection of completely original pieces that we have been working on.

‘Although we’re only in week one, we’re already really excited about the material that’s been produced!’

The Prison Service works with a number of charities and community organisations to encourage the use of music as a rehabilitative tool in prisons - one of many approaches taken to tackle reoffending.

For many prisoners the discipline of learning new skills increases self-esteem, with music and creative arts also helping them to develop numeracy, literacy and social skills involved in working with others.


Offenders to go full time on community payback

Employment key part of reducing re-offending EMPLOYMENT, skills and offender rehabilitation specialists Working Links have welcomed Justice Secretary Ken Clarke’s plans to reward providers who help combat re-offending.

Mr Clarke has blamed a ‘broken penal system’ for the riots across Britain after it was revealed most of the people charged in relation to the unrest were already known to police.

The Justice Secretary said current systems to prevent re-offending were ‘straightforwardly dreadful’ – a reason why he is piloting payment-by-results schemes for private firms to successfully rehabilitate offenders.

Debbie Ryan, Working Links’ Director of Justice, said: “There is a clear need for sentences to become much more robust, effective and restorative – and that includes coming face to face with victims.

“Our experience at Working Links proves that effective rehabilitation is not a soft option but the only practical way to break the cycle of unemployment and re-offending. Offenders often have broader issues than the lack of employability skills so that’s why we work with them in custody and in the community to tackle the root causes of criminality so they can rejoin their communities and live law-abiding lives.

“While a range of complex issues contributed to the riots, high levels of youth unemployment and disaffected young people ill-equipped to find work were certainly key factors. Our own research into youth unemployment has shown that employers are not often looking for people with reams of qualifications, but are more interested in those with the right attitude and enthusiasm.”

Working Links currently works in 55 prisons across Britain and has helped more than 40,000 ex-offenders find work since 2000.


Offenders will be made to do a full five day week of hard work and job-seeking, under new proposals for community sentences confirmed on 24 August 2011 by Minister, Crispin Blunt.

The work will include hard manual labour, improving public areas by clearing up litter,

cleaning graffiti and maintaining parks and other green spaces.

The new instructions will see unemployed criminals forced to work a minimum of 28 hours over four days, with the fifth day spent looking for full time employment. Prior to today’s announcement, Community Payback programmes could be spread out over 12 months with some offenders working for a minimum of just six hours per week. The new, more intensive scheme, will also be delivered more immediately after sentence, imposed on offenders within seven days of sentencing, instead of the two weeks it currently takes following the court appearance.

About 100,000 individuals are sentenced to Community Payback each year across England and Wales with over 8.8 million hours of unpaid work completed last year. The public can nominate jobs for offenders via direct.gov. Offenders can also be required to undertake hard manual labour such as working on a community farm, as in the attached case study.

These proposals for community sentencing are part of the Government’s plans to reform sentencing and tackle the root causes of offending. As well as giving something back to communities affected by crime, they will help bring structure to offenders’ lives. This will encourage them back into the routine of hard

and meaningful work, in line with Government plans for Working Prisons for those who receive custodial sentences.

Minister for Prisons and Probation Crispin Blunt said:

‘If you are unemployed and on Community Payback you shouldn’t be sitting idle at home watching daytime television or hanging about with your mates on a street corner, you should be out paying back to your community through hard, honest work.

‘The public want to see offenders giving something back to their communities, but they are rightly not satisfied with seeing only a handful of hours a week dished out. Decent, law-abiding people can work a full five day week and so should offenders.

‘If we are to reduce the scandalous reoffending rates, it is essential that we help turn offenders into ex-offenders. The introduction of regular, meaningful hard work is proven to help break the cycle of crime and encourage a law-abiding life. This means fewer criminals, fewer victims of crime and much reduced costs for the taxpayer – a wholly positive result for society.’

Earlier this year the Ministry of Justice announced that Community Payback will be competed out to approved companies and probation trusts. The purpose of the competitions is to drive efficiencies in public protection and further help to cut re-offending.

This is one of a number of proposals to make community sentences more punitive. The Ministry of Justice recently confirmed that tagged offenders will be confined to their homes for up to 16 hours every day for a year.

Other measures being taken forward in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill include a review of Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences,

with a view to replacing them with a tougher determinate sentencing regime and a greater use of life sentences. The Government is also looking to introduce a new offence of aggravated knife possession, with a mandatory prison sentence of at least six months.

The courts will continue to decide on the total number of hours of Community Payback an offender must complete; it is then for local Offender Managers to decide, based on an offender’s circumstances, the number of hours they complete each week.

Case Study

Daniel, 32, Solihull

Daniel was sentenced to 120 hours of Community Payback after being convicted of assault in May 2010 and has gone from law-breaker to law-maker after being accepted to study at law school.

He carried out his sentence at Newlands Bishop Farm in Solihull. The project provides hard manual labour, including the construction of hen houses, putting-up buildings and fences, menagerie refurbishment, ground maintenance, forestry and hedge laying.

His probation officer John Whitehurst also helped him to enrol in an Access to Higher Education (HE) course which formed a small part of his unpaid work hours.

Daniel commented that his community sentence not only took away his liberty but allowed him to put something back into his local community.

He said:

‘While it was hard at times, I didn’t realise how much probation could help me. I’m delighted to be accepted at one of the country’s best law schools and I’d like to thank everyone who helped me to get my life back on track.

Crispin Blunt, Minister for Prisons and Probation

http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/press-releases/moj/www.direct.gov.uk/forms/form/266/en/nominate_a_community_payback_project


Longer working hours for prisoners at HMP Bristol A prison in Bristol is piloting increasing the number of hours inmates work in its workshops by 50 per cent.

Thirty prisoners working at HMP Bristol’s Waste Management Unit now do 33.25 hours per week instead of 22, in a move towards lengthening their working day and eventually introducing full working weeks.

A similar pilot is also being trialled at the prison’s laundry unit, with a group of 15 prisoners.

Nikki Secker, Head of Business Development at the Category B prison, explains that working longer hours gives the prisoners more time to gain skills that they can use in the outside world on release. She also believes the pilots show it is possible to innovate in any prison establishment - even those that hold more high risk offenders: ‘We’re a Category B prison, and if we can successfully implement

longer working hours here, then it means it can happen elsewhere too.’

Teamwork

Nikki and her colleagues at HMP Bristol have set up a project team that meet weekly to develop initiatives to monitor and evaluate the pilots.

The Working Prisons Project means work has become an integral part of the regime at HMP Bristol. It has also helped establish other cell-based projects, working with vulnerable prisoners who find work in the workshop environment difficult.

‘By opening small workshop units on residential wings, and offering in-cell work, we have been able to engage with prisoners who have previously not engaged with the regime and staff to the level we aim for,’ Nikki says.

She also says this has allowed the prison to bid in a more competitive manner for new commercial contracts, such as assembling plumbing equipment or Christmas decorations.

‘We can now offer a viable option for businesses, enabling real income generation,’ she says.

‘A creative approach by prison staff and the desire to ensure that HMP Bristol demonstrates its ability to adapt to changing times, has meant we have been able to develop the project quite quickly too,’ she adds.

Corporate manslaughter laws now apply to custody Custody providers, including prisons, secure hospitals, police and juvenile detention facilities, will be covered by corporate manslaughter laws from 01 September 2011 .

The Government has also extended the law so that it will also apply to Ministry of Defence and UK Borders Agency customs custodial facilities.

The Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007, which came into effect in 2008, created a new offence of corporate manslaughter which can be committed by organisations which cause the death of a person through gross negligence management failings.

Today’s change increases the accountability of custody providers (public and private) under the criminal law.



Clarke: Broadcasting in court to be allowed for first time and increased transparency of local court performance The ban on filming in law courts will be overturned to improve public understanding of the justice system, Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke announced on 06 September 2011

Mr Clarke said broadcasters will be allowed to screen footage of judgments for the first time, as part of unprecedented plans to improve transparency.

Mr Clarke said:

‘The Government and judiciary are determined to improve transparency and public understanding of court through allowing court broadcasting. We believe television has a role in increasing public confidence in the justice system.’

Broadcasting will initially be allowed from the Court of Appeal, and Government will look to expand to the Crown Court later. All changes will be worked out in close consultation with the judiciary.

Filming will be of judges’ summary remarks only - victims, witnesses, offenders and jurors will not be filmed.

Filming and broadcasting in court is currently banned under two Acts of Parliament and new legislation will need to be passed to allow cameras into the courts.

In addition to allowing broadcasting, Mr Clarke announced that an unprecedented level of information about the performance of courts will be published in future to allow everyone to see how their local courts are working. This will include:

• Court-by-court statistics for the time taken for cases to be processed, from offence to conviction, allowing people to compare the performance of their local courts

• Details on how many trials were ineffective and why they were ineffective

• Anonymised data on each case heard at local courts and the sentences given

• Details of how many people have been convicted or released from prisons in each area and how often they re-offended afterwards

Employers step up to hire skilled ex-offenders


More than half of employers agree they have a role to play in reintegrating ex-offenders according to new research published on 10th November 2011.31% of employers surveyed in the report Employers’ Perception of Best Practice in Prison Education from CfBT Education Trust had employed an ex-offender with almost two-thirds (58%) of these employers rating their experiences as positive.

The most common reasons for employing ex-offenders were their skills and attributes, as well as a sense of social responsibility. Employing an ex-offender was seen as contributing to social corporate responsibility, especially by those organisations most likely to employ an ex-offender - larger voluntary and public sector organisations - as well as half of all private businesses.

When considering a general approach to recruitment a positive attitude (44%) and technical skills (43%) were seen as the skills/attributes that potential applicants most needed to demonstrate. For ex-offenders the most common barriers to employment alongside having a criminal record were a lack of work experience and a lack of skills.

Prison education supports the development of both hard and soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace and 33% of employers agree that prison education makes ex-offenders more employable.

Richard Goss, Head of Learning and Skills at CfBT Education Trust, said:

“Prison education is a vital part of the journey to make people work ready and to develop both hard and soft employability skills. We need to ensure that all prisoners have access to education, but at the same time that the qualifications achieved while in prison meet the needs of employers.

“Beyond the technical skills that can be developed through vocational courses, prison education also helps offenders develop a positive attitude

to learning and work by helping people build confidence and achieve qualifications often for the first time in their life.”

The report also compared the views of employers who had no experience of working

with offenders with those who had. Clear differences between the two groups were identified. Employers who had not employed an ex-offender were:

• Less likely to ask for more information about a criminal record;

• More likely to automatically reject a candidate with a criminal record;

• More likely to be concerned about external perceptions and the reputation of the organisation;

• More likely to say that nothing would make them feel more confident to employ an ex-offender.

One in five employers agrees that ex-offenders are a valuable pool of the workforce, yet 55% of employers neither agree or disagree, or don’t know.

This indicates a lack of awareness of what ex-offenders have to offer the workplace.

The more familiar an employer is with their internal policy on hiring ex-offenders and with the Rehabilitation of Offenders act the more likely they are to employ an ex-offender. For those who have employed ex-offenders more than half (54%) received no support either internally or externally.

Richard Goss added: “To give employers more confidence to give offenders a second chance, perhaps through a work-trial, we need to raise awareness of what prison education is, what it offers to offenders and ultimately what skills and attributes ex-offenders potentially bring to the workforce.”

The report ‘Employers’ Perception of Best Practice in Prison Education’ is available to download at www.cfbt.com/research

CfBT Education Trust is a leading education consultancy and service organisation. Otheir object is to provide education for public benefit both in the UK and internationally. Established 40 years ago CfBT Education Trust now has an annual turnover exceeding £100 million and employs more than 2,300 staff worldwide who support educational reform, teach, advise, research and train. As a not-for-profit organisation they commit around £1million of surpluses every year for practice-based educational research. Visit www.cfbt.com for more information.

http://www.cfbt.com/research

http://www.cfbt.com


Better protection from intruders and excessive compensation costs Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke has announced a raft of tough measures to better protect people from intruders, dangerous criminals and excessive no-win no-fee legal costs. 26 October 2011

He set out plans for the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill as the latest in a series of radical moves to reduce reoffending, improve sentencing and reform the legal aid system.

Mr Clarke said he would:

• Make squatting in residential buildings a criminal offence to end the misery of home-owners whose properties have been preyed on by squatters.

• Strengthen people’s rights to use force to defend themselves from intruders in their own homes.

• Give magistrates power to hand down bigger fines.

• Ban the referral fees which have allowed middle-men to profit from encouraging others to make unnecessary compensation claims.

Mr Clarke said:

‘People should feel safe in their communities and especially in their own homes and these measures, along with the rest of our radical package of reforms, will ensure they are protected.’

Squatting

‘Far too many people endure the misery, expense and incredible hassle of removing squatters from their property. Hard working homeowners need and deserve a justice

system where their rights come first. Our commitment to this new offence will ensure the law is firmly on the side of the homeowner so that quick and decisive action can be taken.’

Magistrates’ courts fines

‘We will remove the £5,000 cap on fines that can be issued by Magistrates so that they are able to use their discretion and set fines that are proportionate to the offences they are seeing.’

Self-defence

‘While fleeing is usually the safest option if you feel threatened, people are not obliged to retreat when defending themselves or their homes. We will ensure that if you do react instinctively to repel an intruder you will not be punished for it – as long as you used reasonable force.’

Referral fees

‘Until now, middle-men have been able to profit from selling personal injury claims on to solicitors for a fee. So of course they encouraged people to sue as a first, rather than last option. We all ended up paying through higher prices and insurance premiums. Our ban on referral fees together with our changes to no win no fee arrangements will reduce legal costs and speculative suing, so that businesses, schools and individuals can be less fearful of unnecessary claims encouraged by those looking for profit rather than justice.’

The new measures will be debated in the House of Commons next week and, if passed by vote, will be added to Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill which is currently progressing through Parliament.

The Bill already contains radical moves to reduce reoffending, improve the UK’s sentencing framework and reform the legal aid system.

The Bill forms part of the Ministry of Justice’s plans to:

• make prisoners work harder, longer and on meaningful tasks;

• ensure prisoners earn money for victims, and not just for themselves;

• crack down on drug abuse inside prisons;

• demand more from offenders in tackling the root cause of their criminality;

• only put taxpayers’ money into the programmes that work.create a new offence of aggravated knife possession, with a mandatory prison sentence of at least six months;

• reduce the £2.1billion per year legal aid bill for England and Wales but retain legal aid for cases where

people’s life or liberty is at stake, where they are at risk of serious physical harm, or immediate loss of their home, or where their children may be taken into care;

• and reform the laws for no-win, no-fee so that the risks are equally balanced for both claimants and defendants and middle-men do not drive up insurance costs for individuals and fuel fears of a compensation culture.

• From next May justice outcomes will be placed alongside crime data on police.uk so people can see what happens next after crimes are committed in their areas

• More information on how the civil and family justice systems, including how long it takes each court to process small claims hearings, larger cases and care proceedings.

Broadcasting in court is currently prohibited by Section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 and Section 9 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Government intends to bring forward new primary legislation to amend these

Communities ‘vital’ to rehabilitation revolution Community groups and voluntary organisations are crucial to making the Government’s ‘rehabilitation revolution’ a reality, Justice Minister Lord McNally said on 06 October 2011

In a lecture to the St Albans Diocese group entitled ‘Rehabilitation Revolution - pipe dream or penal policy for the 21st century?’ the minister said: ‘I believe that groups like yours have a vital role to play.

‘I welcome the fact that you’re able to meet to exchange views, and to try to discern imaginative solutions to problems that individuals and communities face every day.’

Lord McNally also outlined the reforms under way to better rehabilitate offenders, including payment by results in prisons, restorative justice, reparation and new drug and alcohol treatment centres for offenders.

He added: ‘The rehabilitation revolution is not the soft option. It is the rational response to complex problems.

‘It seeks to involve individuals and communities because if individuals and communities continue to feel ill-used by the criminal justice system, we will struggle to build the confidence necessary for justice to be done, and to be seen to be done and felt to be done.’

NEWS l NEWS l NEWS l NEWS l


PRODUCT NEWSJaktronic passes prison testJaktronic, the innovative Perimeter Intruder Detection System from Jacksons Fencing, has passed stringent Home Office testing, making it eligible for Prison and Mental Health institution applications.Jaktronic employs state of the art vibration sensor detectors, which are installed on the fence perimeter. This enables the system to monitor and display any intrusion attempts with a high degree of accuracy and low false alarm rates. The advanced fence mounted electronic detection system underwent a gruelling five month false alarm monitoring assessment (by NOMS – National Offender Management Services) and during the evaluation period, it was scrutinised for its ability to maintain precision – even in the face of high wind speeds and heavy rainfall. Key advantages of the Jaktronic system include:

- penetration attempts displayed with an accuracy of + or – 10 metres- one unit capable of covering 1600 m area so reduced requirement to lay

down extra cables, easier to install and causing minimal site disruption- does not require the installation of an independent weather station

www.jacksons-security.co.uk, tel 01233 750 393

Protec Police supplies – the Emergency Service SupplierThe Protec Duty Belt Patrol Kit is designed to assist roles such as Police, Prison and Security Officer. Like all equipment manufactured by Protec and MC Products, all of the items featured in this offer are made with technically advanced materials using traditional methods to give you quality, affordable kit that is made to last.

• duty bags, rucksacks & cases• safety & search equipment• tactical clothing & footwear• vest, harness and carriage systems• baton & handcuff holders

For more information contact MC Products UK Ltd Tel: 0151 548 0144or visit www.police-supplies.co.uk

Behind Bars With CarpenterCarpenter, one of the world’s leading producers of fire retardant-based foam used in prison, custody and detention cell mattresses and pillows, is leading the way with its Fireseal SUPERSAFE range of cell mattresses and pillows.The company supplies 100% of the UK’s publically operated HMP Prisons and now has a significant share of the private prison and custody cell market. Its zero waste system - recycling used mattresses – has saved the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) in excess of £1m per year on landfill costs.Said Richard Harris, key account sales manager of Fireseal: “Our products are made with high fire-resistance, safety and performance in mind and SUPERSAFE products use technology specifically developed for the MOJ.” The product range continues to go from strength to strength with a contract to supply into the newly constructed Belmarsh West Prison due to open in early 2012 & operated by Serco.All SUPERSAFE mattresses and pillows use the highly modified flexible polyurethane (PU) foam, Fireseal tm and comply with industry flammability standards meeting the full requirement of BS 7177:2008 Very High Hazard including FTS15. For more information contact [email protected]

Celebrate better salt spreading with MagnumWith winter approaching and a hard season forecast, successful importer of essential equipment DMMP Limited is delighted to announce that it has become the exclusive importer and dealer for the Magnum salt-spreaders. This hardy, no-nonsense range can be fitted to vehicles, trailers, forklift or even quad bikes; with prices from just £799 for the spreaders and £150 for accessories no contractor need be left in the cold this winter.

Designed and manufactured in the US in Ohio where the lowest recorded temperature was minus 29 degrees (1994) and third of the year is below freezing, the Magnum range has been honed to cope with tough winters but it was trialled in England last winter when we experienced our coldest winter for 31 years. Well known in the US as a high quality spreader designed for professionals, the brand was taken over by the Louis Berkman Work product Company in 2007.

For more information about the range, please contact Colin Hood at DMMP Limited on 0845 643 9776 or visit www.dmmp.co.uk

Construction specialist offers pre-employment courseConstruction training specialist, John Laing Training are now able to offer a pre-employment course to offenders, prior to release, as part of their construction training package. The Site Awareness Course includes modules on site terms and conditions; wages and self-employment; first day on site; job applications; grants and subsidy support available upon release. The programme is 30 hours, covering 5 modules and is designed to be delivered flexibly to suit each prison.

Telephone Gary Barnard at John Laing Training on 07789 653022. More information at www.jlaingtraining.co.uk

ievo release details of exciting forthcoming announcementsievo are celebrating their second year trading with some very special announcements. Firstly ievo have renamed their original biometric reader and secondly having listened to customer feedback and providing them with continuous technical, marketing and customer support ievo will be building on this reputation to offer greater unrivalled technology, supreme products and after sales care.Two years ago, the ievo team, formulated by biometric security professionals with over twenty five years combined experience in the market, researched biometric access control systems and how they function within the security industry. Having quizzed the likes of architects, installers, facility managers and engineers, the idea of a fully functioning internal and external fingerprint reader for harsh environments came to the fore. This combined with its ergonomic design means it is not only easy to use but also to install. This seemed to be the preferred option within the focus group and thus produced the ievo™ biometric fingerprint reader which literally caters for any market or industry.Since then, ievo has been installed in an abundance of different markets, including National Arenas, Embassies, Corporate Builds, Hospitals, Banks, Schools and Childcare Facilities to name but a few. From this, ievo™ has a 97% customer return rate as well as a back log of customer feedback.

Tom Fleming from Arrest Security contacted ievo recently saying “we have used ievo access control system on a couple of projects where the biometric readers were being vandalised on a regular basis, and to date the ievo™ units are performing well and we are very pleased with them.”End user Peter Handley from Bilsdale Properties commented that “I was shown once and knew exactly how to use it. It looks great with the aesthetics and the software is top of the line. There’s nothing else like in terms if access control”When Barry Spicer at Heron Grange contacted the ievo technical support line he said afterwards “I would like to express my thanks for resolving the problem quickly and with minimum amount of fuss”From the successful customer testimonials ievo find it only fitting to rename the ievo reader – the ievo ultimate reader. This is because it offers installers with an access control solution that is unmatched against other competitive biometric products.Installers, industry professionals and end users should keep up to date with ievo for the next big announcement in the very near future. The news will be released on all major security and biometric platforms plus ievo social networking profiles including Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

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Issue 63 Custodial Review Magazine

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