B.11.01.R7 Transfer of Property to another Prison or Place (National Requirement)

National Requirement

If a prisoner is to be transferred from one prison (the first prison) to another prison or place, the Prison Manager of the first prison must take all practicable steps to ensure that, before the transfer takes place -

The prisoner’s property is checked against the property register; and
The prisoner is asked to check the relevant entries in the register and sign a written acknowledgement of the property to be transferred.

If, on checking the property, it is found that the prisoner’s property does not correspond with the relevant entries in the property register, the matter must be referred to the Prison Manager and resolved by the Prison Manager reasonably promptly.

Transferring a Prisoner’s Television to another Prison

If a prisoner’s property on transfer includes a television the following steps must be followed:

Step	Action
1	The staff member overseeing the prisoner on transfer completes Section A of form B.11.01.F1 identifying that a television is to be transferred as part of a prisoner’s property.
2	The staff member then turns the television on, in the presence of the prisoner, and confirms that the televison is working (this should occur as close as possible to the transfer e.g. immediately prior to the television being packaged for transfer).
3	The staff member then completes Section B of the form B.11.01.F1 and asks the prisoner to complete Section C of the form.
4	Prisoner completes Section C of the form acknowledging that the staff member who checked the television can only confirm that the television is “working” not that it is in good working condition e.g. poor reception or lack of sound/picture does not give the prisoner the automatic right to make a property claim to have the television serviced.
5	The television is then packed and labelled in accordance with B.11.01.R2 in preparation for the transfer.
6	A copy of the form is then placed on the prisoner’s file (category I) in preparation for the transfer. Sections A, B and C must be completed before this form is placed on the prisoner’s file.
7	On receipt of the television at the receiving prison, a receiving prison staff member (e.g. a Receiving Officer) must turn the television on and check that it is working. The staff member should take into consideration any issues with the television that may have been noted in Section B of the form.
8a	If the television is working the receiving prison staff member who has checked the television completes section D and asks the prisoner to complete Section E of the form.
8b	If the television is not working and the issues noted in Section B of the form are not related to the identified problem of the television not working, the receiving prison staff member should refer the potential damage claim to the Prison Manager (in accordance with bullet points 8 and 9 in the “Liability for Loss or Damage to Property Transferred” section below).
9	The prisoner completes Section E of the form acknowledging that the staff member who checked the television can only confirm that the television is “working” not that it is in good working condition e.g. poor reception or lack of sound/picture does not give the prisoner the automatic right to make a property claim to have the television serviced.
10	The completed form is placed on the prisoner’s file (category I).

Labelling/Numbering Property On Transfer:

IOMS produced self-adhesive internal transfer labels showing the Prisoner Identification and Destination Prison are attached to each container of a prisoner's property to indicate the desination of the container.
Containers are sequentially numbered such as 1 of 3, 2 of 3 and 3 of 3.
Containers match the entry on the route sheet.

When a prisoner is required to wear his or her own clothing during the transfer then sufficient clothing must be released to the prisoner for that purpose.
The prisoner’s property must be transported at the same time as the prisoner, unless there is insufficient space, in which case alternative arrangements for sending that property must be made. These arrangements must ensure the property arrives at the receiving destination within seven days of the transfer. An IOMS external transfer label (that does not display the prisoner's name) should be used.
Where a prisoner’s property cannot be transferred at the same time as the prisoner, the transferring prison must ensure that the prisoner has sufficient change of clothing and toiletries accompanying him or her.

Liability for Loss or Damage to Property Transferred

Depending on the time and circumstances of the damage to, or loss of, a prisoner’s property during transfer, the Prison Manager of the prison in charge of the prisoner, or the person or organisation transporting the prisoner is responsible for the loss or damage of property which has been transferred with or after the prisoner.
Where the Prison Manager does not accept responsibility for the loss of or damage to the property the prisoner must be advised of his or her right to seek a review of this decision through an Inspector of Corrections.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Prisoner Manager of originating prison

Ensure all practicable steps are taken in the processing of prisoner property prior to transfer.
Resolve discrepancies between prisoner property and record on the IOMS Property Register.
Responsible for any loss or damage to prisoner property during transfer.

Prison Manager of prison where transferred prisoner resides

Responsible for resolving any claims for lost property made by a prisoner during transfer within 20 working days of claim being made.

Unit staff of originating prison

Complete a property check prior to prisoner transfer whenever practicable.
Check all prisoner property from the unit against the IOMS Property Register.
Have prisoner sign written acknowledgement for property to be transferred.
Note any discrepancies with prisoner property and inform Recieving Office/Property officer.
Seal containers after checking. Clearly label all containers and/or wrap any property that cannot be boxed.
Arrange to have prisoner’s unit property sent to the Receiving Office for labelling and numbering prior to shipping.
Ensure prisoner is ready for transfer with the remainder of his property checked as correct.

Receiving Office Staff/ Civilian Property Officer

Attach labels to each container with prisoner’s name and destination of the container.
Number the containers sequentially i.e. 1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3.
Ensure the containers match the entry on the route sheet.
Issue own clothing to prisoner if he is required to wear his own clothing during the transfer.
Transfer prisoner property whenever practicable at the same time as the prisoner. If this is not possible, ensure property arrives at the destination prison within 7 days of the prisoner’s arrival.
Issue sufficient toiletries and change of clothes if property does not accompany prisoner during transfer.

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