B.03 Prisoner and Facility Checks (National Policy)

Policy Standard

• Prisoners and facilities are checked and monitored to ensure the safety and security of the prison.

Performance Standards - Prisoner Location Checks

1. Prisoner Location Checks are muster checks carried out by an officer designated to perform the check.
2. Prisoner Location Checks and current prison muster totals are recorded at a Central Point on each site.
3. The current prison muster total is recorded, on IOMS, at the Central Point three times per day – unlock, midday, and lockup.
4. Unit staff and CIE staff contact the Central Point to ensure the correct recording of prisoners in their locations.
5. Staff liaise with each other to verify the correct unit muster after each Prisoner Location Check.
6. Results of Prisoner Location Checks are documented and certified in a diary or logbook.
7. Required actions are taken when a prisoner is not at their correct location.
8. The Central Point is notified immediately when a prisoner is not at their correct location.
9. Face-to-name muster checks using photographic muster board are carried out at unlock and lock-up.

Performance Standards - Facility Checks

1. Buildings, fences, gates, grounds and other facilities are checked two-hourly at night (outside the general office hours of 8am-5pm) to ensure they are secure.
2. Checking buildings includes checking doors, windows and grilles.
3. Strategic areas affecting the security of the prison are lit during the hours of darkness.
4. Prominent warning signs are displayed when security systems are used (e.g. razor wire) that present a risk to people.
5. The Central Point is to be notified immediately if a building or other facility is not secure.

B.03 Definitions

Face-to-name muster

• A face-to-name muster is a check that requires a designated officer to carry out a muster and be satisfied that they have identified by sight every prisoner.
• Both the final lock-up and morning unlock are carried out by two officers working together, extra staff may be required if the circumstances warrant their attendance to:
  • undertake a muster using a photographic muster board depicting passport-size photographs of unit prisoners
  • verify the identity of each prisoner
  • verify that the prisoner in question is in the correct cell
  • ensure that the prisoner appropriately responds to the muster check in a manner that satisfies both officers that the prisoner is conscious and responsive
• Sighting a shape in a bed, or a staff member’s recall of who is supposed to be in a particular cell or location, is insufficient.
• Each unit is required to produce and maintain a current Photo Muster Board that accurately reflects at all times the correct muster.
• Each prisoner must be allocated a cell number and have their photo attached to the Photo Muster Board as soon as they are inducted in their accommodation unit.

Prisoner Location Check

• A Prisoner Location Check is a check of prisoners in locations (e.g. CIE Work Party or PS Residential Unit). Using a photographic muster board is optional.
• PS staff are responsible for all Prisoner Location Checks of prisoners, other than those on CIE Work Parties.
• CIE staff are responsible for Prisoner Location Checks of all prisoners on CIE Work Parties.

Prisoner Cell and Location Check

• A Prisoner Cell and Location Check is carried out when a prisoner is locked in their cell. The check is to determine, where a physical check is possible, that:
  • the door and window are secure;
  • there is nothing unusual or out of place in the cell;
  • the prisoner appears to be lying on the bed (when the check is undertaken at night); and
  • in general, nothing is obviously wrong.
• It is important for staff to remember Prisoner Location Checks must be done for prisoners who are locked in their cells or locations before general lock-up (e.g. off privileges).
• It is not necessary to use a photographic muster board for checks after general lock-up and before general unlock.
• Staff carrying out Prisoner Location Checks at night are to use torches to check cells and prisoners.
• All cells and prisoners are to be checked at intervals not exceeding two hours while prisoners are locked during the night.
• If a prison's custom and practice enables higher standards to be safely and humanely met e.g. more frequent checks, or checks for "skin and movement" using cell lighting, National Office approval should be sought.
• If a region or site can not meet the standard, then they are required to seek an exemption stating fully why they believe they can not meet the standard, or specific aspects of the standard, what would be required to be done to ensure they meet the standard and any mitigating action they can take to ensure the safety of the prisoners.
• If an emergency or unscheduled unlock (e.g. incident) occurs during lock-up hours, an extension to the two-hourly prisoner location and facility checks, is permitted, however staff must resume the two-hourly checks as soon as practicable and record the reasons for the extension.
• Prisoners in At Risk cells are checked in accordance with their Management Plan (see PPM B.14).

Note: Self Care units are nationally exempt from the requirement to carry out night time prisoner location checks due to; staff not being able to view prisoners inside the self-care units and staff are unable to unlock self-care units to undertake night time prisoner location checks.

Facility Check

• A Facility Check is the internal and / or external check of a building, fence, gate, grounds or other facilities to ensure facilities are secure and all prisoners are securely held.

Note: Self Care units Night time two-hourly patrols are Not exempt and therefore must be carried out. The purpose of these patrols is to verify; buildings, gates, doors and other facilities are secure, and all prisoners are held securely.

Central Point

• A Central Point is a communication point, often a control room or wing office, where:
  • Prisoner Location Checks are recorded
  • Communications with unit officers and work parties are maintained
  • The current prison muster total is recorded three times per day (this should take place in the main control room)