Glossary of Prison Related Terms
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2052SH More info
2052 is the form number and SH stands for Self-Harm. A form which is filled out when a resident is thought to be at risk of self-harm or suicide. Residents who have a 2052SH form opened for them should be checked on at regular intervals. There are regular reviews of this status. Now being replaced by ACCT.
See PSO2700 and PSO0200 Standard 60.
A
A.R.T. - Aggression Replacement Therapy More info
An accredited Offending Behaviour Course.
AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME
Aggression Replacement Training is known as ART for short. ART is about getting the person to think about how they handle situations that might lead to conflict. The course looks at what happens when someone gets angry and loses control, and participants are taught ways of dealing with these situations without becoming aggressive.
HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAMME?
There are 18 group sessions in ART, each lasting for two hours. Before the group starts, participants attend six sessions with a member of staff. After the group finishes there are a further six sessions with a staff member. That makes 30 sessions in all.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ART?
The programme involves thinking about the best ways of dealing with difficult situations. Participants are taught new skills that they can use to handle those situations. They will also learn how to avoid becoming aggressive when upset or angry.
See PSO4350
Click Here for Probation Circular
ABC - Anti-Social Behaviour Contract More info
This is a voluntary contract, usually used with young people, to address anti-social behaviour without the need for courts and ASBOs. They are not legally binding but, if broken, may lead to firmer action.
Anti-social behaviour includes things such as:
- rowdy, noisy behaviour in otherwise quiet neighbourhoods
- threatening, drunken or 'yobbish' behaviour
- vandalism, graffiti and fly-posting
- dealing or buying drugs on the street
- litter and fly-tipping rubbish
- aggressive begging
- drinking in the street
- setting off fireworks late at night
- abandoning cars on the street
Click Here for more information
ABH - Actual Bodily Harm More info
A charge relating to a serious violent assault.
Title: Offences against the person
Offence: Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm
Legislation: Offences Against the Person Act 1861 section 47
Mode of Trial: Either way
Statutory Limitations & Maximum Penalty: 5 years imprisonment
Sentencing Range: Specified violent offence
Aggravating & Mitigating Factors
Use of a weapon, feet, or head-butting Nature and number of blows. Lasting/serious injury or minor injury. More than one offender or victim. Whether unprovoked violence, excessive self-defence etc. Victim vulnerable or serving the public. Volatile location such as night club.
The Crown Prosecution Service service has said that, by way of example, it considers the following injuries to be ABH and to be sufficiently serious that they could not be adequately reflected by a charge of common assault.:
♦ The loss or breaking of a tooth or teeth
♦ Temporary loss of sensory function, including loss of consciousness
♦ Extensive or multiple bruising
♦ A displaced broken nose
♦ Minor fractures of bones
♦ Minor (but not superficial) cuts requiring medical treatment
♦ A recognised psychiatric disorder
Click Here for more information.
Abscond More info
A prisoner or young offender fails to return after being temporarily release, for whatever reason. Absconding is different from escaping. The period outside custody is known as 'Unlawfully at Large'.
Effect of time served
Reproduced from PSI2008-020 and PSI2008-028
The day of escape/abscond and the day of recapture do not count as part of the custodial period of the sentence for calculation purposes i.e. both days will be time UAL (unlawfully at large); but time Spent in police detention following recapture is treated as time served towards the custodial period.
Where a prisoner has failed to return on time from a period of temporary release, and has not been returned to custody before midnight of the day s/he was due to return, that day will be treated as the first day of UAL. The last day UAL will be the day of their return to custody for calculation purposes.
A prisoner whose licence has been revoked whilst not in custody will be deemed to be unlawfully at large. For sentence calculation purposes the first day of UAL time will be the day following the revocation of licence. The last day of UAL will be the day before arrest. This also applies to revocations of temporary release licences (including End of Custody Licence releases).
See PSI2008-020 and PSI2008-028,
Abuse of Process More info
The courts have an overriding duty to promote justice and prevent injustice. From this duty there arises an inherent power to stay an indictment (or stop a prosecution in the magistrates courts) if the court is of the opinion that to allow the prosecution to continue would amount to an abuse of the process of the court.
Abuse of process has been defined as something so unfair and wrong with the prosecution that the court should not allow a prosecutor to proceed with what is, in all other respects, a perfectly supportable case (Hui-Chi Ming v R [1992] 1 A.C. 34, PC). Unfair and wrong is for the court to determine on the individual facts of each case. The concept of a fair trial involves fairness to the prosecution and to the public as well as to the defendant: DPP v Meakin [2006] E.W.H.C. 1067.
Click Here for more information
Acceptable Behaviour Contract More info
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) are written agreements between a young person, the local housing office or Registered Social Landlord (RSL) and the local police in which the person agrees not to carry out a series of identifiable behaviours which have been defined as antisocial. The contracts are primarily aimed at young people aged between 10 and 18.
An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) is an early intervention (generally following two warnings but prior to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order) made against individuals who are perceived to be engaging in anti-social behaviour. Though they may be used against adults, almost all ABCs concern young people [1].
The contract, drawn up and agreed upon by the agencies concerned in consultation with the individual, contains both negative and positive conditions, detailing respectively what behaviour the individual will cease to partake in and what activities the individual will pursue to change their behaviour.
Though ABCs are not legally binding, breach of an ABC is often used as evidence to support an application for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, breach of which is a criminal offence.
ABCs were first used in Islington in the early 2000s [2], and rolled out nationwide in the following years.
Information from Wikipedia and the Home Office
ACCESS More info
ACCESS is a Behavioural Course to help individuals who have difficulty coping.
Account Monitoring Order More info
An order requiring certain types of financial institution to provide certain information held by them relating to a customer for the purposes of an investigation.
ACCT - Assessment and Care in Custody Teamwork More info
This is a new system which is to replace the old 2052SH form. And is used to identify and monitor those at risk from self-harm or suicide.
Reproduced courtesy of HMPS
Being in custody can be a difficult time for some people, and it is not unusual for people in prison to sometimes feel that their problems are more than they can deal with. Some people feel so desperate that they may think of harming or even killing themselves. Usually, the very bad time does not last long but while people are struggling we do our best to help and support them.
Prison staff are trained to assist prisoners who are at risk of suicide or self-harm and are able to support and advise them on what help is available. Staff may help to keep someone safe by making sure they have company when needed (a cell mate, a Samaritans-trained Listener, a staff member) and if necessary, that they are observed and spoken with at regular intervals. In this case, the reasons will be carefully explained to them.
To help identify and care for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm, the Prison Service uses a care-planning system called ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody, and Teamwork). ACCT has been in place in all establishments since April 2007. ACCT was introduced to replace the old F2052SH system, and was designed to provide more flexible multi-disciplinary support to prisoners at-risk of harming themselves. The plan encourages staff to work together to provide individual care to prisoners in distress, to help defuse a potentially suicidal crisis or to help individuals with long-term needs (such as those with a pattern of repetitive self-injury) to better manage and reduce their distress.
Prisoners are fully involved in the ACCT process. They first have an interview with a trained Assessor, from which an individual Care Plan is drawn up. They then attend regular Case Reviews, where a Case Manager reviews the care and support they receive. For further information about the ACCT process, please see the related document at the end of this page.
There are numerous agencies and support mechanisms available to prisoners experiencing periods of crisis. Most prisons operate peer support schemes, the most common of these being the Listeners scheme, where prisoners, trained by Samaritans, listen in confidence to other prisoners who feel they need emotional support, for whatever reason.
Further avenues of support available across the prison estate include such things as counselling, access to the Samaritans, help with substance misuse issues, and the input of the Chaplaincy, healthcare professionals and/or mental health in-reach teams. Experience has also shown that prisoners who feel some degree of hopelessness may benefit by involving themselves in prison activities, for example, in education, IT or sport.
Click Here to access the HMPS ACCT Pocket Guide to staff
See PSO2700.
ACMD - Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs More info
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is an independent expert body that advises government on drug related issues in the UK.
It was established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The Advisory Council makes recommendations to government on the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs, including classification and scheduling under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and its regulations. It considers any substance which is being or appears to be misused and of which is having or appears to be capable of having harmful effects sufficient to cause a social problem.
It also carries out in-depth inquiries into aspects of drug use that are causing particular concern in the UK, with the aim of producing considered reports that will be helpful to policy makers and practitioners.
Inquiry reports
The Advisory Council, through its Prevention Working Group, carries out in-depth inquiries into aspects of drug use that are causing particular concern in the UK, with the aim of producing considered Reports that will be helpful to policy makers, practitioners, service providers and others.
These inquiry reports set out a summary of the Advisory Council’s findings and a series of recommendations for Government and others. It is usual for the government to then publish a formal response.
Contact
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
c/o Home Office
3rd Floor Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Telephone: 020 7035 0454
ACMD@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Click Here for more information
ACPC - Area Child Protection Committee More info
The inquiry into the death of Maria Cowell in 1974 highlighted a serious lack of coordination among services responsible for child welfare. Its report led to the development of Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs) in England and Wales.
The Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) is a local multi-agency forum that brings together representatives from each of the main agencies and professions responsible for helping to protect children from abuse and neglect.
The ACPCs enable agencies to work together to promote the well-being and protection of children through agreed policies, procedures and strategies underpinned by appropriate training.
There are many ACPCs covering the whole country.
ACR - Automatic Conditional Release More info
A term that applies to prisoners serving over 12 months and less than 4 years.
Extracts from PSO6000
Most prisoners sentenced to sentences of twelve months or more but less than four years are eligible to be considered for the Home Detention Curfew scheme. Detailed instructions on the scheme, including details of those prisoners who are exempt or who may be presumed as unsuitable, are contained in PSO 6700, amended by PSIs. 9/2001, 19/2002, 39/2002 & 31/2003.
Those adult prisoners not placed on Home Detention Curfew are released automatically once they have served half of the sentence (the Conditional Release Date - CRD). There is no selection process and release may be delayed only if additional days have been awarded. (Section 33 (l)(b), CJA 1991).
ACR prisoners must be released on licence and are subject to compulsory supervision by the probation service, normally until the three-quarters point of the sentence. In addition, certain sex offenders and violent offenders may be subject to a period of extended supervision if that was specified by the courts at the time of sentencing. (Section 44, CJA 1991.) Also, they may be subject to a period of extended supervision if they have received extended sentences by the courts.
ACR prisoners are generally given a standard licence, whether placed on HDC or not. However, if the supervising officer requests, the Governor, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, may approve additional conditions.
There is no mechanism to delay release if a prisoner refuses to comply with supervision. The Governor must ensure that suitable reporting instructions are made. If no release address is given, the Governor must instruct the prisoner to report to the duty officer at the probation office in his/her usual home area or the petty sessional area in which he/she was tried. The prisoner must be advised that a failure to report is likely to result in recall proceedings being initiated
For more information read Chapter 3 of PSO6000.
Action Plan Order More info
Introduced under the Crime & Disorder Act 1998. These are designed to produce an individual response to offending behaviour. They are used with a young person, who must comply, and are supervised by a Youth Offending Team.
An Action Plan Order is an intensive, community-based programme lasting three months. The order is supervised by the Youth Offending Team (YOT). The programme developed by the YOT is specifically tailored to the risks and needs of the young person. It can include repairing the harm done to the victim of the offence or the community, education and training, attending an Attendance Centre or a variety of other programmes to address a young person's offending behaviour.
The following is reproduced courtesy of Walsall Council
© Walsall Council 2010
What does it mean?
It means that you will be given:
? Help in keeping out of further trouble with the Police
? Advice in areas in which you may be having problems, e.g. at home, school/college or work, or with other people or with drugs
? Support from your Youth Offending Service worker who is there to see you regularly and listen to what you have to say.
? You will also be required to engage in a restorative process which will be victim led, and may include mediation and/or reparation in the form of voluntary work in the local area as a form of community pay back. This will be organised for you by the Youth Offending
? Service Restorative Justice Team, and will be supervised.
? A detailed plan for what is going to be done during your Order will be agreed with you and your parents/carers within the first week. This is called an Action or Supervision Plan. The Plan will be reviewed every three months.
What part do I play in the order?
Under an action plan order you will have to:
? Keep your appointments with your Youth Offending Service worker, which will be twice a week in the beginning. These appointments will usually be at the Youth Offending Service Office or at your home
? Work with them to look at why you offend and ways in which you can change your behaviour
? Take part in Reparation activities as arranged for you by the YOS Restorative Justice Team
? Carry out any other things you have agreed to do
? Act responsibly whilst on supervision in your community and when attending for appointments
? Keep to any additional requirements that have been agreed in your Supervision Plan
Other conditions may be attached to your Order. These will be explained to you separately by your YOS worker.
Who will know I am on this Order?
Under the action plan order there will be times when your Youth Offending Service worker will visit you at home and discuss your progress with your parents /carers. You may also be referred to see one of the YOS partner workers for help with a particular problem, e.g. drugs, health, accommodation or employment/training.
You may also be expected to participate in a group programme run by YOS workers to address aspects of your offending behaviour.
It may also be helpful to talk to your school, youth club, or employer. You will be asked what you think about this before it happens.
What can go wrong?
If you do not co-operate with your Youth Offending Service worker you will be taken back to Court for being in breach of the action plan order.
If the breach is proved, the Court may then deal with you in some other way, such as:
? Giving you another chance under supervision on the Order
? Making an Attendance Centre Order
? Imposing a fine on you or your parents [depending on your age]
? Re-sentence you for the original offence
What if I do well?
With an Order lasting three months, there is not enough time for your Youth Offending Service worker to consider applying to the Court for the Order to end early. However, the length of time you will spend in your Supervision sessions will depend on how well you are doing, and if you are doing well then your time in the Youth Offending Service Office will be less.
Click Here for more information.
Adapted Course More info
Some of the Offending Behaviour Courses have been adapted to help people with literacy or learning difficulties.
Click Here for more information about 'Adapted Courses'.
Adduce More info
To introduce - especially evidence into court.
ADHD - Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder More info
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behaviour, and hyperactivity (over-activity).
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined by two broad groups of behavioural problems: inattentiveness, and a combination of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Common symptoms within these groups include a short attention span, restlessness, being easily distracted, and constant fidgeting.
How common is ADHD?
ADHD is the most common behavioural disorder in the UK. It is estimated that the condition affects between 3-9% of school-aged children and young people. ADHD can be a life-long condition, and many children who have it continue to have symptoms in adolescence and adulthood. However, it is still uncertain as to whether ADHD can occur in adults without first appearing in childhood.
Children naturally have a tendency towards the kind of behaviour that ADHD causes, but this behaviour should not be confused with ADHD. There are several criteria that must be met for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD. Adults are harder to diagnose because there is no definitive set of age-appropriate symptoms.
Symptoms of ADHD tend to start at an early age, and they may become more noticeable when a child's circumstances change, such as starting school. Many people with ADHD also have additional problems, such as sleep disorders, low self-esteem, and learning difficulties. However, ADHD has no effect on intelligence.
There is no cure for ADHD, but it can be managed using medication. There are several medical treatments for ADHD, all of which should be accompanied by psychological, educational and social therapies.
Reproduced courtesy of NHS Choices/DirectGov
Click Here for more information
ADJ1 - Form to appeal an adjudication More info
To appeal against adjudication by a prison governor, director or controller a prisoner should fill in an ADJ1 form (which is blue). This form should be freely available on the wing.
Once filled in, the form should be posted in the Complaints Box. It will be passed to the Briefing and Casework Unit, who investigate and make a recommendation to the Area Manager, who makes the final decision. The prisoner receive the reply within six weeks.
Since April 2005 appeals against decisions by independent adjudicators can no longer be made through the Complaints Procedure, but must be made in writing via the governor to a senior district judge at Bow Street Magistrates Court. There is currently no mechanism, other than judicial review, for appealing the finding of guilt in these cases and the appeals can only address the level of punishment.
Click Here for a link to the Prisoners' Advice Service information on complaints
Adjourn More info
To suspend or delay the hearing of a case. This may be due to many reaons and either side may ask the judge (or magistrate) to adjourn a hearing - usually to give more time to prepare or produce evidence.
Trials may be adjourned if the judge or principle participants or lawyers are not available.
Adjudication More info
A mini-trial, at which a prison governor is the judge and jury, which hears allegations of breaches of prison discipline by prisoners. There are a number of official forms associated with adjudications which prisoners should be aware of: these are all outlined in PSO2000 - Discipline Manual.
OR010 F256 Record of adjudication hearing
OR011 F256A Record of adjudication hearing continuation sheet
OR012 F256B Adjudication report
OR013 F256C Conduct report for adjudicator
OR014 F256D Adjudication result
OR015 F256E Consideration of request for legal representation or advice
OR016 F1127 Notice of report
OR017 F2129A Remission of additional days application form
OR018 F2129B Remission of additional days officer’s report and consideration of application
OR019 F2129C Remission of additional days reply to prisoner
See PSI2008-011, PSO2000 & PSO0200 Standard 2
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Adjudiactions
Admissible Evidence More info
Evidence allowed in court proceedings (not all evidence introduced by the prosecution or defence may be allowable in court).
ADs - Added Days More info
Extra days put on a prisoners sentence by an external adjudicator at a disciplinary adjudication.
Advance Information More info
Information about the case against an accused to which the they (and their lawyers) may be entitled to see or know about before they enter a plea.
Advocates More info
Independent people who can help prisoners to get their voice heard, or speak up for them where they find it difficult.
Affective Statements More info
These are statements made by people who have been affected by a young person's offending behaviour to the person responsible and describes their feelings about what happened.
Affidavit More info
Affirmation More info
A non-religious alternative to the oath sworn by someone about to give evidence in court or swearing a statement. This is given the same weight as a religious oath.
Aggravated Damages More info
Additional damages which the court may award as compensation for the defendant’s objectionable behaviour.
AGR - Advisory Group on Religion More info
ALG - Adult Learning Grant More info
The Adult Learning Grant (ALG), could give you up to £30 per week while you’re studying. It is designed to help adults who want to go back to learning later in life.
If you’re an adult taking a full-time course, you could get up to £30 per week during term time - that’s around £1,000 a year.
ALG is there to give you a helping hand towards travel, study materials or other costs you might incur while you’re studying.
Find out if you're eligible
Whether you're eligible (and how much you get) depends on your income and benefits – and there are some other requirements that you need to meet.
Click Here to find out if you are eleigible
Click here for more, general information
Alpha in Prisons More info
Alpha in Prisons runs in most of the prisons in the UK, offering attendees a 15-session introduction to the Christian faith. The course is run by Chaplains and volunteers.
Alpha for Prisons was launched in 1995 in response to demand from inmates. Since then enthusiasm for Alpha for Prisons has grown.
It is now registered in 80% of the prisons in the UK as well as running in the prisons of over 74 countries on all the continents around the world. The course is run successfully in all types of prisons and correctional institutions for both men and women and is also used in young offenders and juvenile institutions.
The Alpha course is normally run over a period of ten weeks, although it can be presented over a shorter period of time depending on a prison's regime. At each session there is a chance for fellowship over snacks and drinks followed by the talk. After the talk, participants divide into pre-arranged groups - each group has two leaders and two helpers who may have completed a previous course, or be prison staff or volunteers.
Click Here for more information
Amphetamines More info
These are illegal synthetic stimulants. After heroin, amphetamine is probably the most commonly injected street drug in the UK.
Click Here for more information.
Angulimala More info
Angulimala advise a team of Buddhist visiting chaplains and liase with the HM Prisons Service to provide an aftercare and advisory service for prisoners after release.
Click Here for more information
APD - Approved Parole Date More info
The date on which a prisoner who is granted early release on Parole Licence is actually released from prison.
More information about Parole and Release can be found in PSO6000.
Appellant More info
A person who is appealing against a decision of the court (eg conviction) is known as an appellant.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Appeals
Application More info
Often just called an ‘App’ This is a form a prisoner completes to request something. The style varies from prison to prison; but at all establishments a resident is entitles to place applications every day.
Applied DNA More info
This is a method where specially manufactured botanical DNA is used to authenticate products in a unique manner that cannot be copied.
It is used in the security industry, for example, to mark bank notes. Using this method it is claimed to be able to provide the forensic evidence to prove that a specific person(s) committed a specific robbery.
Click Here for more information
Approved Social Worker More info
An approved social worker (ASW) is a qualified social worker who has undergone additional training and been approved by the local authority to carry out a range of statutory duties under the Mental Health Act (1983). These include assessing whether a person needs to be detained in hospital compulsorily.
APVU - Assisted Prison Visits Unit More info
You may be able to get help with the cost of travel when visiting a close relative or partner through the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme. This is administered by the APVU.
See PSO4405
Click Here to download Information Book (130Kb PDF)
Click Here to download an Application Form (2098Kb PDF)
ARD - Automatic Release Date More info
A term that applying to those serving less than 12 months. The ARD is halfway through the sentence, unless the prisoner is released on HDC or has any additional days awarded (ADA).
See PSO6000
Area Safer Custody Adviser (ASCA) More info
Extract from PSO2700
It is for individual Area Managers to decide on the role of their ASCA (a role that covers both public and contracted prisons). Their work may be supplemented by that of other specialists designated by the Area Manager (for example see below - Area Psychologist) and/or they may be supported by other Area staff with delegated safer custody duties. It is suggested that the ASCA:
· Chair or co-Chair the Area Safer Custody Forum (see below).
· Be the Area contact for advice on good practice.
· Receive the minutes from establishment SCT meetings in their area.
· Whilst it is recognised that time constraints/number of establishments to be supported, will not allow many establishment Safer Custody Team meetings to be attended by the ASCA, it is good practice to attend some, particularly in the case of any establishment that has a high number of incidents of suicide or self-harm.
· Provide advice to the Area Manager on Area safer custody strategy
· Provide advice to Governors on the job specification and be actively involved in the appointment of SPCs.
· Assist establishments in implementing new or revised safer custody policies.
· Monitor ACCT provision in establishments and provide support for ACCT training for trainers.
· Check the progress of action plans following recommendations from HMCIP, PPO and the Standards Audit Unit.
· Be responsible for ensuring Area and local action plans are implemented, completed and regularly reviewed to ensure any recommended changes are sustained
· Assist in the auditing of the self-audit programme in relation to suicide prevention.
· Support Governors in ensuring, in conjunction with their Area Performance Co-ordinator and Standards Audit Unit, that all personnel in establishments have a clear understanding of their local safer custody strategy, and what the suicide prevention, self-harm management and violence reduction elements of that strategy involve.
· Facilitate Area to Area (and Area to/from other agencies) communications concerning at-risk prisoner transfers and sharing of risk information.
· Ensure that establishments demonstrate through their local safer custody strategy that they can achieve full compliance with the Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Management Standard. The ASCA can raise with the Area Performance Co-ordinator and Standards Audit Unit areas of concern relating to local policy that establishments have been unable to resolve.
· Assist as directed by the Area Manager with any investigations into incidents of prisoner self-harm in co-operation with the Senior Investigating Officer commissioned to conduct the Investigation.
6. The ASCAs provide a significant link between establishments and Safer Custody Group. Through attendance at national ASCA, various Safer Custody Network meetings and the SPC annual conference, there is the opportunity to exchange and disseminate good practice throughout the prisons estate and to contribute to policy development.
7. The ASCA role is to provide support and spread good practice to establishments on an area wide basis and support area managers and Governors in improving service delivery and compliance with standards. They will liaise with Safer Custody Group in respect of policy development on suicide prevention and the reduction of self-harm. The ASCA will offer direct support and advice to establishment Safer Custody Team Leaders (SCTL) and establishment Suicide Prevention Co-ordinators (SPC) and Violence Reduction Co-ordinators (VRC).
Arraign More info
This is where charges to the defendant in open court in the Crown Court.
The formal process is called 'arraignment: which is the formal process of putting charges to the defendant in the Crown Court which consists of three parts:
(1) calling him/her to the bar by name,
(2) putting the charges to him/her by reading from the indictment
(3) asking him/her whether he pleads guilty or not guilty.
ASOTP - Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programme More info
A special SOTP course for people with literacy or learning difficulties.
Click Here for more information about 'Adapted Courses'.
Association More info
This is a period when residents can freely associate with each other. It is during these periods that residents can use telephones, visit the library, cook (in prisons with this facility) and shower. There are often other activities during these periods such as vocational classes, extra gym and faith meetings.
AUR - Automatic Unconditional Release More info
B
Bad Character Evidence More info
Part 11 of the 2003 Criminal Justice Act provides a statutory scheme which deals with evidence of alleged bad character.
Under he 2003 Act non-defendants are given protection in statute for the first time against their alleged bad character being exposed unless it is substantially relevant. On the other hand the Act has an inclusionary approach rather than an exclusionary approach to alleged bad character of a defendant. A defendant's bad character evidence is not subject to an enhanced relevance test but is admissible if it is relevant, subject to the court's discretion to exclude.
The effect of these provisions mean that non-defendants are protected from attacks on their character. In relation to a defendant's alleged bad character; such evidence is likely to play a greater part in prosecutions and may form an essential part of the evidence against a defendant.
Click Here for more information
Barbiturates More info
A synthetic sedative used for insomnia and anxiety. Used to be used illegally but is not common now.
Click Here for more information.
Barrister More info
Barristers are specialist legal advisers and court room advocates (lawyers). They are independent and objective and trained to advise clients on the strengths as well as the weaknesses of their case. They have specialist knowledge and experience in and out of court which can make a substantial difference to the outcome of a case.
Click Here to read more about Barristers from the Bar Council
BICS - British Institute of Cleaning Science More info
Bill of Indictment More info
A written accusation of the crime against one or more persons – a criminal trial in the Crown Court cannot start without a valid indictment.
BOSS Chair More info
Body Orifice Security Scanner. A metal detector built into a chair to detect metallic objects in body orifices.
See PSI2009-005.
Click Here for more information
BOV - Board of Visitors More info
A body of local people selected for each prison by the Home Secretary to act as watchdogs. Now replaced by the IMB (Independent Monitoring Board).
The IMBs publish annual reports on each prison. For a link to the latest report on any prison look under our Prison Regimes section.
Click Here for more information about Independent Monitoring Boards.
Bradley Report More info
A review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system; issued on 30 April 2009.
Click Here to download a copy of the report. (2834 Kb PDF)
BSA - Basic Skills Agency More info
NIACE is taking forward the work of the former Basic Skills Agency in alliance with Tribal in the field of adult learning (Literacy/Numeracy).
Click Here for a link to the NIACE website.
BSC - British Safety Council More info
A body who accredit the Health & Safety Courses which various prisons run.
Click Here for a link to the BSC website.
BTEC - Business Training Education Council More info
A system of examinations and certificates in a wide variety of subjects.
Click Here to find out more about BTEC courses.
Budgeting Loans More info
If you're on a low income and need help with certain important costs, you may be able to get an interest-free Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund that you pay back.
Who is eligible?
You may be able to get a Budgeting Loan if you or your partner have been claiming or getting payment of one of the following benefits for at least 26 weeks:
> Income Support
> income-related Employment and Support Allowance
> income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
> Pension Credit
and you need help to pay for any of the following:
> furniture or household equipment
> clothing or footwear
> advance rent or removal expenses for a new home
> travelling expenses
> things to help you look for or start work
> improving, maintaining or securing your home
> repaying hire purchase or other debts you took out to pay for any of the above
How much do you get?
You can apply to borrow between £100 and £1,500. The final amount of Budgeting Loan you get will depend on:
> whether you are single
> whether you are a couple
> whether you are single or a couple, with children
> any existing money you owe to the Social Fund
> your ability to repay the loan
> your savings - your award will usually be reduced by the amount of any savings you or > your partner or civil partner have above £1,000 (or £2,000 if one or both of you is over 60)
The following can't be taken into account:
> the urgency of your need
> any health problems you or your family might have
How it's paid
The loan is usually paid into your bank, building society or other account provider's account that you have nominated.
How do you repay it?
Your repayments, which are worked out at the time your loan is agreed, are usually automatically taken out of your benefit. If you're not getting benefits, another method will be agreed.
You normally have to repay a Budgeting Loan within 104 weeks.
The repayments are interest-free which means you only pay back what you borrowed and no more.
Effect on other benefits
A Budgeting Loan award does not count as income and will not affect other benefit you're getting.
How to apply
You can contact Jobcentre Plus, or your pension centre and ask them to send you claim form SF500.
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Click Here for more information
C
C & R - Control and Restraint More info
A series of physical locks and holds used by prison officers to restrain and move a resisting prisoner in a controlled manner. See Prison Rule 47 (Use of Force); PSO1600 (Use of Force); PSO0200 Standard 61 (Use of Force).
CAB - Citizens' Advice Bureau More info
An organisation which gives advice on a range of topics, especially finance. Some prisons have CAB advisors holding surgeries.
See also Citizen's Advice Bureau
Click Here for information about the CAB's work in prisons.
Click Here for CAB Area Offices.
Cafcass More info
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) looks after the welfare of children involved in family court proceedings. Cafcass officers are independent, qualified in social work and experienced in working with children and families. The roles carried out by Cafcass officers are listed below.
Children's Guardian
Children's Guardians represent the rights and interests of a child during cases where social services have become involved (public law proceedings) or in contested adoptions.
In particular they can:
appoint a solicitor who specialises in family law for the children
advise the court about what needs to be done before it can make a decision
write a report for the court saying what they think would be best for the children - this report must tell the court about the wishes and feelings of the children
To do their job, Children's Guardians spend time getting to know the children and members of their family.
Children and Family Reporter
Children and Family Reporters help families agree arrangements for their children. They will usually meet with the parents or adults to see if issues can be agreed without going to court (known as mediation). If no agreement can be reached the children and family reporter will write a report for the court. This report will explain what enquiries have been made and what they think is best for the children. Generally in these cases, Cafcass officers are the sole representatives of the child's best interests and source of independent advice to the courts.
A mediation service is not available for public law or adoption proceedings.
Officer in Adoption
The role of the Cafcass Officer in Adoption depends on whether parents agree to the adoption. If the parents agree, then the officer makes sure parents understand what adoption means for them and for the child and then writes a short report for the court. If a parent does not agree, or if there are special circumstances then a Children's Guardian will do an in-depth investigation and write a report to tell the court whether they think adoption is in the interests of the child.
Reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Click Here to find out more about the work of Cafcass officers
CAFMHT Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Team More info
Psychology in juvenile and young offenders' institutions.
Click Here for a link to the Department for Children, Schools & Families which discusses the work of CAFMHTs.
CALM - Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it More info
CALM is a nationally accredited groupwork programme for adult male prisoners. Its goal is to reduce aggression by targeting anger. It is designed for those prisoners with anger control difficulties and whose conviction relates to this.
Click Here for more information.
Canteen More info
The weekly shopping a prisoner can do. Items are usually chosen from a printed list and the products supplied in a sealed bag. A debit is made from the prisoner’s Spends Account to pay for it. Currently DHL/Booker provide a packing service and sell the products in bulk to the Prison Service who sell on to prisoners at prices set by the Prison Service.
CARATS - Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Throughcare Scheme More info
A programme for prisoners with drug and alcohol problems.
See PSO3630 for more information or search under 'Carats' in our 'Rules & Regulations' section.
CARE - Choices, Actions, Relationships and Emotions More info
This is a course for female prisoners whose offending is related to difficulties with emotion regulation. The course aims to help participants identify and label emotions and develop skills for managing emotion.
Caremap More info
A Caremap is a whole range of help and interventions offered to those in risk of self-harm or suicide.
Extract from PSO2700
The CAREMAP must reflect the individual needs and level of risk of the prisoner, and aim to address the problems identified in the ACCT assessment interview and the case review as contributing to the person’s distress and leading them to self-harm or think of suicide. Whilst all CAREMAPs need to reflect this and the core elements of care;
o Level of supervision
o Type/place of location
o Health/mental health intervention
o Company (cell sharing)
o Peer support
o Diversionary material (in-cell activities)
o Time out of cell
o Family contact
o Chaplaincy
they also need to be individual, for example, a prisoner who self-harms without suicidal intent should receive care different from one who is acutely suicidal. They also need to reflect any diversity status of individuals, such as race, religion, disability or nationality.
CAREMAPs for prisoners considered to be at risk of suicide must at a minimum contain actions to prevent the individual carrying out suicide (that is, reflect case review consideration of location/accommodation, supervision and items in possession). Most suicidal crises are short-term and reducing the opportunity to suicide during the crisis period (e.g. by removing the means of suicide, such as saved up tablets) can be effective. However, this should never be the sole approach. Effective care needs to identify and help the individual to tackle the problems causing the distress, and actions to keep a prisoner safe should always form part of a more comprehensive care-plan.
A significant minority of prisoners have mild to moderate learning disabilities (that is slow or incomplete mental development resulting in problems with learning and social adjustment) and this group is at higher risk of self-harm than the general population of prisoners. The CAREMAP for such prisoners must include consideration of location, protection from exploitation, provision of additional structure and support and additional help to ensure they understand what is required of them and do not inappropriately lose privileges
Cat A Prisoners More info
Prisoners whose escape would be highly dangerous to the public, to the police or to the security of the state.
See PSO0900 for general information about categorisation.
See PSO1010 for information about Reviews of Cat A status
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Categorisation
Cat B Prisoners More info
Prisoners for whom the very highest conditions of security are not necessary but for whom escape must be made very difficult.
See PSO0900 for general information about categorisation.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Categorisation
Cat C Prisoners More info
Prisoners who cannot be trusted in open conditions who do not have the will or resources to make a determined escape attempt.
See PSO0900 for general information about categorisation
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Categorisation
Cat D Prisoners More info
Prisoners who can be reasonably trusted to serve their sentence in open conditions.
See PSO0900 for general information about categorisation.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Categorisation
Category More info
All prisoners are assessed as to their security risk and placed into one of 4 basic categories; A, B, C & D. 'A' cat; being in need of highest security and 'D' cat the least. Prisons are also categorised according to the category of prisoner they hold.
See PSO0900 for general information about categorisation.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Categorisation
Caution - Police Cautions More info
Not all offences must be handled by the courts. Police have a range of alternatives they can use to address low-level crimes.
For adults, these alternatives include:
> simple cautions
> conditional cautions
> cannabis warnings
> penalty notices for disorder
> fixed penalty notices (for driving offences)
For youths aged 10 to 17, the options include:
> reprimands
> final warnings
> penalty notices for disorder, although only for those aged 16-17
Simple cautions
A 'simple caution' is used to deal quickly and simply with those who commit less serious crimes. It aims to divert offenders away from court, and to reduce the likelihood that they will offend again.
If you are given a simple caution you will be officially warned about the unacceptability of your behaviour, and the likely consequences of committing further crimes will be explained to you.
The main aim of a simple caution is to prevent offenders reoffending. So if you offend again, you're likely to be charged instead of getting a second caution unless:
> the second offence is a minor offence unrelated to the first
> two years or more have elapsed since the original offence
When do police use simple cautions?
Police can only issue a simple caution if:
> there's evidence an offender is guilty
> the offender is 18 years of age or over
> the offender admits they committed the crime
> the offender agrees to be given a caution – if the offender does not agree to receive a caution then they may be charged instead
There are no rigid rules about the particular situations in which cautions should be used – this is at the discretion of senior police officers.
The only exceptions are more serious crimes like robbery or assault, which must always be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Will a simple caution go on my criminal record?
A simple caution is not a criminal conviction, but it will be recorded on the police database. It may be used in court as evidence of bad character, or as part of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) application.
The record will remain on the police database along with photographs, fingerprints and any other evidence taken. If you are cautioned for a sexual offence, you could be placed on the sex offenders register.
If a crime victim requests your name and address for civil proceedings, the police are legally obliged to give this information out, so you may still be sued for damages.
Conditional cautions
A 'conditional caution' differs from a simple caution in that you must comply with certain conditions to receive the caution and to avoid prosecution for the offence you've committed.
Like simple cautions, conditional cautions aim to keep lower level offenders from overburdening the court system. They also address the needs of both victims and offenders - they deal with the offender's behaviour quickly, and allow action to be taken to rehabilitate the offender or to repair the damage caused by the offence.
Types of conditions
The conditions that can be attached to a conditional caution must have one or more of the following objectives:
> rehabilitation – conditions that help to change the behaviour of the offender, reduce the likelihood of them re-offending or help to reintegrate the offender into society
> reparation – conditions that aim to repair the damage done either directly or indirectly by the offender
> Rehabilitative conditions could include attendance at drug or alcohol misuse programmes, or interventions tackling other addictions or personal problems, such as gambling or debt management courses.
To repair the damage you could apologise for your actions, physically repair or otherwise make good any damage you caused, provided this is acceptable to the victim.
Specific financial compensation may also be necessary.
Where the offending has resulted in damage to community property, reparation could take the form of unpaid work to repair that damage, or of a payment to an appropriate local charitable or community fund.
Changes to conditional cautions
Conditional cautions now include 'punitive measures' - these are conditions which punish or penalise offenders for their law-breaking and could include:
> the payment of a financial penalty
> unpaid work for a period not exceeding 20 hours
> attendance at a specified place for a period not exceeding 20 hours
When do police use conditional cautions?
Police can administer a conditional caution after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service when they think it is the most appropriate way to address your behaviour or to make direct reparation to the victim of the crime. The views of the victim can also be considered.
A conditional caution can only be offered to those who have admitted their guilt.
If you do not comply with the conditions attached to the conditional caution, you will be charged with the original offence and the case will go to court.
Will a conditional caution go on my criminal record?
Just like a simple caution, a conditional caution is not a criminal conviction. But it will be recorded on the police database and may be considered in court if you are tried for another offence.
The record will remain on the police database along with photographs, fingerprints and any other samples taken at the time.
If the victim of your offence requests your name and address for civil proceedings, the police are legally obliged to give this information out, so you may still be sued for damages.
Do young offenders receive cautions?
No. Young offenders (aged 17 and under) are given 'reprimands' and 'final warnings' instead of simple cautions. This is to try and keep them out of the court system.
Reproduced courtesy of the Home Office
Click Here for more information
CBT - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy More info
Information from The Royal College of Psychiatrists
What is CBT?
It is a way of talking about:
♦ How you think about yourself, the world and other people
♦ How what you do affects your thoughts and feelings.
CBT can help you to change how you think ("Cognitive") and what you do ("Behaviour)". These changes can help you to feel better. Unlike some of the other talking treatments, it focuses on the "here and now" problems and difficulties. Instead of focussing on the causes of your distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve your state of mind now.
When does CBT help?
CBT has been shown to help with many different types of problems. These include: anxiety, depression, panic, phobias (including agoraphobia and social phobia), stress, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and psychosis. CBT may also help if you have difficulties with anger, a low opinion of yourself or physical health problems, like pain or fatigue.
How does it work?
CBT can help you to make sense of overwhelming problems by breaking them down into smaller parts. This makes it easier to see how they are connected and how they affect you. These parts are:
A Situation - a problem, event or difficult situation
From this can follow:
♦ Thoughts
♦ Emotions
♦ Physical feelings
♦ Actions
Each of these areas can affect the others. How you think about a problem can affect how you feel physically and emotionally. It can also alter what you do about it. There are helpful and unhelpful ways of reacting to most situations, depending on how you think about them.
Click Here for more information from The Royal College of Psychiatrists
CCG - Community Care Grant More info
If you need financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you and your family you may be able to get a Community Care Grant. You don't have to pay it back.
Click Here for more information.
CCRC - Criminal Cases Review Commission More info
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is the independent public body set up to investigate possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Commission assesses whether convictions or sentences should be referred to a court of appeal.
Click Here for the CCRC website.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about the CCRC
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Quality Appeals to the CCRC
Cell Search More info
Prison officers are supposed to search a prisoner's cell and possessions at least every 92 days (28 in the case of 'A' cats.). The prisoner is not normally present but there are procedures in place to protect privilege material. Normally the prisoner is given a 'Full Search' at the same time.
Prison Rule 41 deals with the searching of prisoners.
See PSI2007-030 for information about changes to searching following the Mubarek Enquiry.
See PSI2008-038 for information about the new procedures for the 'Full Searching' of female prisoners.
Chaplain More info
A member of a religious order working in a prison. Each prison has a main 'Chaplain' who is referred to as the Co-ordinating Chaplain. There also other full and part time chaplains and 'Sessional' Chaplains' who attend only for specific services or activities.
The Modern Chaplaincy
Step back seven years and you'd find a chaplaincy that was almost exclusively Christian. Today, it's different. Chaplaincy, says Chaplain General William Noblett, is made up of “a significant number of faith traditions working together for the common good of prisoners, staff and faith communities.”
It's been an important and conscious shift. Chaplaincy now better reflects the prisoner population, so it is better able to serve them. It also sends a positive message to the wider community. William says: “Prisons are setting an example for the wider religious community of the way in which we can work together while respecting each other and serving a common goal.”
With over 7,000 volunteers and 1,000 chaplains (full time, part time and sessional) the contribution to prison life is significant. It's also continuing to change, as William says: “We're looking at how we can provide an approach to chaplaincy provision beyond the gate and support ex-offenders as they go out into the community.
“There are already some community chaplaincy schemes up and running around the country where care can begin in prison and then go on into the wider community. But only a very small number of our volunteers are involved with ex-offenders. What we want to do is try and shift that balance and recognise that there is also a significant need for people on their release from prison.
“We also want to increase our involvement with faith communities outside prison, who may be able – with appropriate training – to provide some services for offenders in the community.
“We are very excited to be developing two new Chaplaincy programmes – SORI (a victim awareness/empathy programme) building on the programme developed and running at HMP Cardiff, and Life Connections (a residential programme to help prisoners address major life issues from the perspective of their own religion).”
Growing awareness
Raising awareness of faith issues among staff is another role for Chaplaincy in the coming months. To help with this a training package and DVD are currently being produced. William says: “They're being developed by Chaplaincy with all the major faith traditions so that we can introduce or remind staff about the most essential issues that they are likely to meet – for example, sensitivities around searching.”
The training package can be delivered by local chaplaincy teams, or with help from Headquarters. And it's being designed so that it can be easily incorporated into faith or cultural awareness events. William says: “Most staff are keen to get this right but it's not always an area which they've been prepared for, so we need to help them understand some of the issues.”
Another development is the planning of a major piece of research that is set to draw out what Chaplaincy contributes to prison life. Explaining why the research has been commissioned William says: “I think to an extent we've always taken Chaplaincy for granted. I don't think we can do that; it shouldn't be any more taken for granted than any other area of prison life that makes a contribution.”
Identifying what Chaplaincy is doing and offering at an establishment level will help to show how it contributes both to the life of the community, but also to other key performance indicators, targets and the measure of the quality of prison life. William says: “As one governor put it to me recently, ‘I'm not always sure what it is that Chaplaincy does, but I know very well when we don't have it.'”
Reproduced Courtesy of Prison Service News
More information about religious matters within prisons and the work of the Chaplaincy can be found in PSO4550.
The name of the Co-ordinating Chaplain, for each prison, is given in our Prison Regime section under 'Faith'.
CHI – Commission for Health Improvement More info
The Commission for Health Improvement was established in 1999 as an independent body, at arm’s length from the Department of Health, charged with providing an independent assurance on the quality of health care provided by NHS bodies.
CHI’s aim is to improve the quality of patient care in the NHS.
CHI aims to raise standards by:
assessing quality and clinical governance arrangements in every NHS organisation,
through a rolling programme of reviews, and making its findings public
investigating when there is serious failure
checking that the NHS is following national guidelines, such as those from NICE
advising the NHS on best practice
Children and Young Persons Act 1969 (C&YP 1969) More info
This is a supervision order for up to 3 years for those aged under 18. It may have additional requirements similar to those of a CRO.
Youth Offending Teams, not the Probation Service, have supervised these orders since 2000.
Children's Human Rights More info
The United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) applies to all children and young people aged 17 and under. The Convention is separated into 54 'articles': most give children social, economic, cultural or civil and political rights; while others set out how governments must publicise or implement the Convention.
What is the UNCRC?
All children and young people up to the age of 18 years have all the rights in the Convention. Some groups of children and young people - for example those living away from home, and young disabled people - have additional rights to make sure they are treated fairly and their needs are met.
The UK ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on 16 December 1991. That means the UK government now has to make sure that every child has all the rights outlined in the treaty except in those areas where the government has entered a specific reservation.
A convention is an agreement between countries to obey the same law. When the government of a country ratifies a convention, that means it agrees to obey the rules set out in that convention.
What the treaty means
From 15 January 1992, when the treaty came into force, every child in the UK has been entitled to over 40 specific rights. These include:
> the right to life, survival and development
> the right to have their views respected, and to have their best interests considered at all times
> the right to a name and nationality, freedom of expression, and access to information concerning them
> the right to live in a family environment or alternative care, and to have contact with both parents wherever possible
> health and welfare rights, including rights for disabled children, the right to health and health care, and social security
> the right to education, leisure, culture and the arts
> special protection for refugee children, children in the juvenile justice system, children deprived of their liberty and children suffering economic, sexual or other forms of exploitation
The rights included in the convention apply to all children and young people, with no exceptions.
Click Here or more detailed information on the treaty and the rights included in it, and to find out the reservations entered by each country.
Reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Chromis More info
Chromis is a complex and intensive programme that aims to reduce violence in high risk offenders whose level. or combination. of psychopathic traits disrupts their ability to accept treatment and change.
Click Here for more information.
CI - Circular Instruction More info
A general information instruction sent to prison governors by Prison Headquarters. They are not mandatory.
CICA - Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority More info
The government body which processes claims for compensation from people who claim to have been injured as a result of a crime upon them.
Click Here for the CICA website.
CITB - Construction Industry Training Board More info
A body whose aim is to promote learning and skills, to prepare people for work in the construction industry.
Click Here for the CITB website.
Citizens Advice Bureau More info
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice, and by influencing policy makers.
The Citizens Advice service provides free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. It values diversity, promotes equality and challenges discrimination.
To provide the advice people need for the problems they face
To improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives
Structure
There are 416 Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales, and a further 22 bureaux in Northern Ireland, all of which are independent registered charities. They are all members of Citizens Advice, the membership organisation - also an independent registered charity - that provides training and support to member bureaux, and coordinates national policy work. Together they make up the Citizens Advice service.
Click Here for more information and to find your nearest CAB
CJA - Criminal Justice Act More info
There have been many Criminal Justice Acts covering all aspects of the Justice System. The government use CJAs to regulate many aspects of the Criminal Justice System.
Click Here for the Criminal Justice Act 2003, and for access to the other CJAs.
Clinical Governance More info
This refers to quality of healthcare.
As defined in ‘A First Class Service: Quality in the New NHS’, this is ‘A Framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care can flourish’. Essentially, it is a systematic approach to assuring and improving clinical quality at the local level. Its main components are clear lines of accountability for the overall quality of clinical care; a comprehensive programme of quality improvement activities; and clear policies aimed at managing risks. The distinctive characteristic of clinical governance is that the organisation is responsible for the clinical care given within that organisation and cannot abdicate that responsibility by stating that, as it is a clinical matter, it is only the responsibility of the clinician.
Closed Prison More info
A prison with a wall; where prisoners are not allowed to leave the premises.
Closed Visit More info
A visit where the prisoner is separated from his or her visitor(s) by a glass screen. These visits are usually imposed because of 'security' information or if a visitor is suspected of trying to smuggle illicit items into the prison.
PSO4410 provides more information about visits to prisoners.
Cluster More info
A number of prisons which are close to each other and managed as one unit by one governing governor. An example is the 'Sheppey Cluster' which consists of Elmley, Standford Hill and Swaleside prisons.
CNA - Certified Normal Accommodation More info
Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA), or uncrowded capacity, is the Prison Service’s own measure of accommodation. CNA represents the good, decent standard of accommodation that the Service aspires to provide all prisoners.
Baseline CNA
Baseline CNA is the sum total of all certified accommodation in an establishment except, normally:
• Cells in punishment or segregation units.
• Healthcare cells or rooms in training prisons and YOIs that are not routinely used to accommodate long stay patients.
In-Use CNA
In-use CNA is baseline CNA less those places not available for immediate use, for example: damaged cells, cells affected by building works.
The CNA and actual population for each prison is given in our Regime Section.
PSO1900 provides more information.
Below is a list of CNAs for English Prisons as of March 2010
Prison CNA
Acklington 946
Altcourse 794
Ashfield 400
Ashwell 184
Askham Grange 126
Aylesbury 441
Bedford 315
Belmarsh 800
Birmingham 1090
Blantyre House 122
Blundeston 481
Brinsford 545
Bristol 424
Brixton 606
Bronzefield 527
Buckley Hall 350
Bullingdon 879
Bullwood Hall 220
Bure 251
Canterbury 195
Cardiff 548
Castington 400
Channings Wood 698
Chelmsford 554
Coldingley 494
Cookham Wood 120
Dartmoor 572
Deerbolt 513
Doncaster 771
Dorchester 137
Dovegate 1060
Dover 316
Downview 358
Drake Hall 315
Durham 606
East Sutton Park 98
Eastwood Park 326
Edmunds Hill 379
Erlestoke 470
Everthorpe 603
Exeter 322
Featherstone 642
Feltham 762
Ford 557
Forest Bank 1064
Foston Hall 283
Frankland 859
Full Sutton 596
Garth 812
Gartree 689
Glen Parva 652
Gloucester 225
Grendon/Spring Hill (combined) 573
Guys Marsh 497
Haslar 138
Haverigg 622
Hewell (combined) 1173
High Down 999
Highpoint 920
Hindley 440
Hollesley Bay 345
Holloway 496
Holme House 947
Hull 723
Huntercombe 360
Isle of Wight (Total for all three) 1562
Kennet 175
Kingston 199
Kirkham 590
Kirklevington 283
Lancaster 159
Lancaster Farms 480
Latchmere House 207
Leeds 829
Leicester 210
Lewes 495
Leyhill 532
Lincoln 436
Lindholme 1054
Littlehey 823
Liverpool 1176
Long Lartin 622
Low Newton 267
Lowdham Grange 760
Maidstone 565
Manchester 949
Moorland Closed 727
Moorland Open 260
Morton Hall 392
Mount 747
New Hall 386
North Sea Camp 318
Northallerton 147
Norwich 625
Nottingham 429
Onley 710
Parc 838
Pentonville 909
Peterborough 480
Peterborough 360
Portland 463
Preston 453
Ranby 969
Reading 190
Risley 1050
Rochester 724
Rye Hill 600
Send 282
Sheppey Cluster (Elmley) 735
Sheppey Cluster (Standford Hill) 464
Sheppey Cluster (Swaleside) 986
Shepton Mallet 165
Shrewsbury 184
Stafford 741
Stocken 779
Stoke Heath 576
Styal 447
Sudbury 581
Swansea 230
Swinfen Hall 604
Thorn Cross 322
Usk/Prescoed (combined) 320
Verne 572
Wakefield 748
Wandsworth 1107
Warren Hill 222
Wayland 957
Wealstun 505
Wellingborough 638
Werrington 160
Wetherby 408
Whatton 734
Whitemoor 448
Winchester 499
Wolds 320
Woodhill 656
Wormwood Scrubs 1153
Wymott 1113
C-NOMIS More info
A computer system that is supposed to link the Prison Service and Probation.
Read more about it in the 'The NOMS Offender Management Model' report (1MB PDF).
Code for Crown Prosecutors More info
The Code for Crown Prosecutors is a public document, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions that sets out the general principles Crown Prosecutors should follow when they make decisions on cases.
Is there enough evidence against the defendant?
When deciding whether there is enough evidence to charge, Crown Prosecutors must consider whether evidence can be used in court and is reliable. Crown Prosecutors must be satisfied there is enough evidence to provide a "realistic prospect of conviction" against each defendant.
Is it in the public interest for the CPS to bring the case to court?
A prosecution will usually take place unless the prosecutor is sure that the public interest factors tending against prosecution outweigh those tending in favour.
Click Here to download the full document in English
Click Here to download the code in other languages
Codicil More info
An addition or supplement to an executed will or testament. It must be executed with all the formalities appropriate to the execution of a will.
Cognitive Skills Booster Programme More info
This programme is run by both the Prison and Probation Service and is designed to reinforce learning from general offending programmes (such as ETS) through skills rehearsal and relapse prevention.
There is a report about its effectiveness - 'A Process Evaluation of the Cognitive Skills Booster Programme initial roll-out in 14 probation areas and 12 prisons' published by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate.
Committal More info
Sending a person to court (usually from a Magistrates’ Court to the Crown Court) or to prison.
Committal for Sentence More info
A procedure whereby a person convicted in a Magistrates’ Court is sent to the Crown Court for sentencing when the sentencing powers of the Magistrates’ Court are not considered sufficient.
Committal Proceedings More info
A preliminary hearing in a Magistrates’ Court before a case is sent to be tried before a jury in the Crown Court.
Committal Warrant More info
A special form issued by the sentencing court that authorises a prison to keep a person in custody.
Common Law More info
Rules of law that have been derived from the decisions of the courts rather than enacted in statute by Parliament.
Community Care Grant More info
Released prisoners who meet the criteria can get a grant to cover immediate requirements on release (including clothing and household items).
If you need financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you and your family you may be able to get a Community Care Grant. You don't have to pay it back.
Apply on form SF300 during the last six weeks prior to release.
Who is eligible?
You can apply for a Community Care Grant if you are either:
> already getting Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of these benefits
> or likely to start getting one of these benefits within the next six weeks because you're moving out of care
and any one of the following applies:
> you're moving out of residential or institutional care to live independently
> you're moving to a new home which will be more suitable for you following an unsettled period in your life and are being resettled by an organisation like a local council or voluntary organisation
> you need help to stay in your home and not go into residential care or hospital
> you need help because you and your family face exceptional pressure, such as family breakdown or because one of you has a long-term illness
> you look after someone who is ill or disabled, or has been released from custody on temporary licence
> you need help with expenses such as visiting someone who is ill, or to attend a relative's funeral
The amount you might get depends on your circumstances.
Effect of savings on awards
The amount of Community Care Grant you may get is reduced if you have savings of:
over £500 where you and your partner are aged under 60
over £1,000 where you and/or your partner are aged over 60
How it's paid
The grant is usually paid into your bank, building society or other account provider's account that you have nominated.
Effect on other benefits
A Community Care Grant doesn't count as income and won't affect other benefits you may be getting.
Reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Click Here for full information.
Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order (CPRO) More info
This is has a 1 to 3 year probation element plus 40-100 hour community punishment element for those aged 16 and over.
It may have additional requirements like those of a CRO.
CPRO was formerly a Combination Order.
Community Punishment Order (CPO) More info
This is unpaid work of 40 – 240 hours for those aged 16 and over.
20 – 100 hours for fine defaulters.
CPO was formerly a Community Service Order.
Community Rehabilitation Order (CRO) More info
This is of 6 months to 3 years length, for those aged 16 and over. It may have additional requirements such as residence, probation centre attendance or treatment for drug, alcohol or mental problems.
CROs was formerly a Probation Orders.
COMP1 - Prisoners' Formal Complaint Form More info
This is the first stage in making a formal complaint. It is used for general complaints and not ones which may be confidential.
PSO 2510 covers the prisoners' Request and Complaints procedure
The complaint is submitted using form COMP1 which is white. You should receive a response, normally from a wing officer within about three working days. The response will be made on the same form as you made your complaint.
Click Here for a link to Prisoners' Advice Sevice advice on making a complaint
COMP1A - Prisoners' Formal Complaint Form More info
If a prisoner is not happy with the response to his initial complaint, on Form Comp1, then they can appeal using this form.
This form allows the prisoner to appeal to someone at management level against the stage 1 response using form COMP1A (also white.) This must be made within a week of receiving the first response. The prisoner should state why theyare not happy with the first response. A response from someone at management level should be received within seven working days. If it is going to take longer an interim reply should be provided explaining the reason for the delay.
PSO2510 deals with prisoners Requests and Complaints
Click Here for a link to the Prisoners' Advice Service information on making a complaint
COMP2 - Form for Confidential Access Complaint More info
If a prisoner wishes to make a complaint and feels that it should not be read by wing staff they can post it in a sealed envelope, using this form. Envelopes and forms should be freely available.
There are strict rules for what complaints can be sent by Confidential Access. If the prison thinks the complaint does not comply they will return it unanswered.
Responses from Confidential Access Complaints should be handed to the prisoner in a sealed envelope.
Click Here for a link to the Prisoners' Advice Service information on complaints
Compellable Witness More info
A witness who can be forced to give evidence against an accused (not all witnesses are compellable).
Compensation More info
Under the state-funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. People who claim to have been the victim of a violent crime, or relatives of someone who has died by such crime can claim money to make them feel better.
Click Here for the CICA website.
Compensation Order More info
An order that a convicted person must pay compensation for loss or damage caused by the offence they are convicted of.
Complainant More info
The person who makes a formal complaint. In relation to an offence of rape or other sexual offences. Tthe complainant is the person against whom the offence is alleged to have been committed.
Concurrent Sentences More info
Where a person has received more than one sentence the court can order that they should run at the same time as one another or partly overlapping. Where a sentence is passed on a prisoner who is already serving a sentence, and the court does not indicate whether the new sentence should be concurrent or consecutive to the existing sentence, it must be treated as being concurrent.
Click Here for Banks on Sentencing.
Conditional Discharge More info
An order which does not impose any immediate punishment on a person convicted of an offence; subject to the condition that he does not commit an offence in a specified period.
Confidential Access More info
Any letter sent from a prisoner to a legal adviser or vice versa is afforded legal privilege and prison staff may not open, read or stop this correspondence unless there are exceptional reasons for believing it is not to or from a legal adviser. In such circumstances, the mail may only be opened on the instruction of an Operational Manager and more importantly in the presence of the prisoner concerned.
As referred to in Prison Rule 39 (1), a legal adviser is defined to be a solicitor, counsel, or a clerk who acts on behalf of either the solicitor or counsel. The Court Service is also to be treated as privileged. The envelopes of legal correspondence should be clearly marked ‘Prison Rule 39’. Prisoners are also afforded ‘Confidential Access’ correspondence, which is outside of Rule 39. Confidential Access has the same handling arrangements as legal mail, but applies to correspondence with certain statutory bodies and individuals.
These are as follows:
> Bar Council
> Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR)
> Courts, Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
> Embassy or Consular Officials
> Healthcare Commission
> Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP)
> Law Society
> Members of European Parliament (MEP)
> Members of Parliament (MP)(only when acting in a parliamentary capacity)
> Members of the National Assembly for Wales (AM)
> Office for the Supervision of Solicitors (OSS)
> Office of the Legal Services Ombudsman
> Official Solicitor
> Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration(PCA)
> Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO)
> The Samaritans
If a prisoner writes to any of the above they should mark the envelope ‘Confidential Access’ (as opposed to Rule 39). All incoming mail to prisoners from the above bodies and individuals should bear the appropriate identifying mark that is associated with that particular organisation.
PSO 4411 provides guidance to prison staff and prisoners on correspondence between prisoners and their legal advisers.
Prisoners may ask their librarian for InsideInformation factsheet R38 'Rule 39 & Confidential Access' which should be supplied without charge.
Information supplied by Nicla Lines of Chivers Solicitors
Confiscation Order More info
An order that private property belonging to a person is be taken into possession by the state. This is often done if it is believed that the property was obtain by the proceeds of a crime.
Connexions More info
Consecutive Sentences More info
Where a person has received more than one sentence the court can order that they should run 'consecutively’ (one runs from the end of the other, so the total time served is found by adding each sentence together)). Where a sentence is passed on a prisoner who is already serving a sentence, and the court does not indicate whether the new sentence should be concurrent or consecutive to the existing sentence, it must be treated as being concurrent.
Click Here for Banks on Sentencing.
Constituency More info
Areas for which an MP serves in Parliament. The country is divided into areas of approximately equal population. The constituency is only valid for elections to Parliament, not local elections.
Prisoners may either write to their home address MP or the MP in whose constituency their current prison lies. All official letters to and from MPs are subject to the rules on Confidential Access.
A list of prisons with their constituency and MP is given below:
Establishment - Constituency - Current MP - Party -
ABERDEEN - Aberdeen South - Anne Begg - Labour -
ACKLINGTON - Berwick-upon-Tweed - Alan Beith - Liberal Democrat -
ADDIEWELL - Livingston - Jim Devine - Labour -
ALBANY - Isle of Wight - Andrew Turner - Conservative -
ALTCOURSE - Liverpool Walton - Peter Kilfoyle - Labour -
ASHFIELD - Thornbury and Yate - Pending 2010 Election - -
ASHWELL - Rutland and Melton - Alan Duncan - Conservative -
ASKHAM GRANGE - York Outer - Pending 2010 Election - -
AYLESBURY - Aylesbury - David Lidington - Conservative -
BARLINNIE - Glasgow North East - William Bain - Labour -
BEDFORD - Bedford - Patrick Hall - Labour -
BELMARSH - Erith and Thamesmead - John Austin - Labour -
BIRMINGHAM - Birmingham Ladywood - Clare Short - Labour -
BLAKENHURST - Bromsgrove - Julie Kirkbride - Conservative -
BLANTYRE HOUSE - Tunbridge Wells - Greg Clark - Conservative -
BLUNDESTON - Waveney - Bob Blizzard - Labour -
BRINSFORD - Staffordshire South - Patrick Cormack - Conservative -
BRISTOL - Bristol West - Stephen Williams - Liberal Democrat -
BRIXTON - Streatham - Keith Hill - Labour -
BROCKHILL - Bromsgrove - Julie Kirkbride - Conservative -
BRONZEFIELD - Spelthorne - David Wilshire - Conservative -
BUCKLEY HALL - Rochdale - Paul Rowen - Liberal Democrat -
BULLINGDON - Banbury - Tony Baldry - Conservative -
BULLWOOD HALL - Rayleigh and Wickford - Pending 2010 Election - -
BURE - Broadland - Pending 2010 Election - -
CAMP HILL - Isle of Wight - Andrew Turner - Conservative -
CANTERBURY - Canterbury - Julian Brazier - Conservative -
CARDIFF - Cardiff Central - Jenny Willott - Liberal Democrat -
CASTINGTON - Berwick-upon-Tweed - Alan Beith - Liberal Democrat -
CASTLE HUNTLEY - Perth and Perthshire North - Peter Wishart - Scottish Nationalist -
CHANNINGS WOOD - Newton Abbott - Pending 2010 Election - -
CHELMSFORD - Chelmsford - Pending 2010 Election - -
COLDINGLEY - Surrey Heath - Michael Grove - Conservative -
COOKHAM WOOD - Rochester and Strood - Pending 2010 Election - -
CORNTON VALE - Stirling - Anne McGuire - Labour -
DARTMOOR - Devon West and Torridge - Geoffrey Cox - Conservative -
DEERBOLT - Bishop Auckland - Helen Goodman - Labour -
DONCASTER - Doncaster Central - Rosie Winterton - Labour -
DORCHESTER - Dorset West - Oliver Letwin - Conservative -
DOVEGATE - Burton - Janet Dean - Labour -
DOVER - Dover - Gwyn Prosser - Labour -
DOWNVIEW - Reigate - Crispin Blunt - Conservative -
DRAKE HALL - Stone - Bill Cash - Conservative -
DUMFRIES - Dumfries and Galloway - Russell Brown - Labour -
DURHAM - City of Durham - Roberta Blackman-Woods - Labour -
EAST SUTTON PARK - Faversham and Mid Kent - Hugh Robertson - Conservative -
EASTWOOD PARK - Thornbury and Yate - Pending 2010 Election - -
EDINBURGH - Edinburgh South West - Alistair Darling - Labour -
EDMUNDS HILL - Suffolk West - Richard Spring - Conservative -
ELMLEY - Sittingbourne and Sheppey - Derek Wyatt - Labour -
ERLESTOKE - Devizes - Michael Ancram - Conservative -
EVERTHORPE - Haltemprice and Howden - David Davis - Conservative -
EXETER - Exeter - Ben Bradshaw - Labour -
FEATHERSTONE - Staffordshire South - Patrick Cormack - Conservative -
FELTHAM - Feltham and Heston - Alan Keen - Labour -
FORD - Bognor Regis and Littlehampton - Nick Gibb - Conservative -
FOREST BANK - Salford and Eccles - Pending 2010 Election - -
FOSTON HALL - Derbyshire South - Mark Todd - Labour -
FRANKLAND - City of Durham - Roberta Blackman-Woods - Labour -
FULL SUTTON - Yorkshire East - Greg Knight - Conservative -
GARTH - Ribble South - David Borrow - Labour -
GARTREE - Harborough - Edward Garnier - Conservative -
GLEN PARVA - Leicestershire South - Pending 2010 Election - -
GLENOCHIL - Ochil and Perthshire South - Gordon Banks - Labour -
GLOUCESTER - Gloucester - Parmjit Dhanda - Labour -
GREENOCK - Inverclyde - David Cairns - Labour -
GRENDON - Buckingham - John Bercow - Speaker (Conservative) -
GUERNSEY - Does not apply - - -
GUYS MARSH - Dorset North - Robert Walter - Conservative -
HAVERIGG - Copeland - Jamie Reed - Labour -
HEWELL - Bromsgrove - Julie Kirkbride - Conservative -
HIGH DOWN - Reigate - Crispin Blunt - Conservative -
HIGHPOINT - Suffolk West - Richard Spring - Conservative -
HINDLEY - Makerfield - Ian McCarthy - Labour -
HOLLESLEY BAY - Suffolk Coastal - John Gummer - Conservative -
HOLLOWAY - Islington North - Jeremy Corbyn - Labour -
HOLME HOUSE - Stockton North - Frank Cook - Labour -
HULL - Hull East - John Prescott - Labour -
HUNTERCOMBE - Henley - John Howell - Conservative -
HYDEBANK WOOD - Belfast South - Alasdair McDonnell - Social Democrat and Labour -
INVERNESS - Inverness - Nairn - Badenoch and Strathspey - Danny Alexander - Liberal Democrat -
IRC HASLAR - Gosport - Peter Viggers - Conservative -
ISLE OF MAN PRISON - Does not apply - - -
ISLE OF WIGHT - Isle of Wight - Andrew Turner - Conservative -
KENNET - Sefton Central - Pending 2010 Election - -
KILMARNOCK - Kilmarnock and Loudoun - Des Browne - Labour -
KINGSTON - Portsmouth North - Sarah McCarthy-Fry - Labour -
KIRKHAM - Fylde - Michael Jack - Conservative -
KIRKLEVINGTON GRANGE - Stockton South - Dari Taylor - Labour -
LA MOYE - Does not apply - - -
LANCASTER CASTLE - Lancaster and Fleetwood - Pending 2010 Election - -
LANCASTER FARMS - Lancaster and Fleetwood - Pending 2010 Election - -
LATCHMERE HOUSE - Richmond Park - Susan Kramer - Liberal Democrat -
LEEDS - Leeds West - John Battle - Labour -
LEICESTER - Leicester South - Peter Soulsby - Labour -
LEWES - Lewes - Norman Baker - Liberal Democrat -
LEYHILL - Thornbury and Yate - Pending 2010 Election - -
LINCOLN - Lincoln - Gillian Merron - Labour -
LINDHOLME - Don Valley - Caroline Flint - Labour -
LITTLEHEY - Huntingdon - Jonathan Djanogly - Conservative -
LIVERPOOL - Liverpool Walton - Peter Kilfoyle - Labour -
LONG LARTIN - Worcestershire Mid - Peter Luff - Conservative -
LOW NEWTON - City of Durham - Roberta Blackman-Woods - Labour -
LOWDHAM GRANGE - Newark - Patrick Mercer - Conservative -
MAGHABERRY - Lagan Valley - Jeffrey Donaldson - Democratic Unionist -
MAGILLIGAN - Londonderry East - Gregory Campbell - Democratic Unionist -
MAIDSTONE - Maidstone and the Weald - Ann Widdecombe - Conservative -
MANCHESTER - Blackley and Broughton - Pending 2010 Election - -
MOORLAND CLOSED - Don Valley - Pending 2010 Election - -
MOORLAND OPEN - Don Valley - Pending 2010 Election - -
MORTON HALL - Sleaford and North Hykenham - Douglas Hogg - Conservative -
NEW HALL - Wakefield - Mary Creagh - Labour -
NORANSIDE - Angus - Mike Weir - Scottish Nationalist -
NORTH SEA CAMP - Boston and Skegness - Mark Simmonds - Conservative -
NORTHALLERTON - Richmond (Yorks) - William Hague - Conservative -
NORWICH - Norwich North - Chloe Smith - Conservative -
NOTTINGHAM - Nottingham East - John Heppell - Labour -
ONLEY - Daventry - Tim Boswell - Conservative -
PARC - Bridgend - Madeleine Moon - Labour -
PARKHURST - Isle of Wight - Andrew Turner - Conservative -
PENTONVILLE - Islington South and Finsbury - Emily Thornberry - Labour -
PERTH - Perth and Perthshire North - Peter Wishart - Scottish Nationalist -
PETERBOROUGH - Peterborough - Stewart Jackson - Conservative -
PETERHEAD - Banff and Buchan - Alex salmond - Scottish Nationalist -
POLMONT - Linlithgow and Falkirk East - Michael Connarty - Labour -
PORTLAND - Dorset South - Jim Knight - Labour -
PRESCOED - Monmouth - David Davies - Conservative -
PRESTON - Preston - Mark Hendrick - Labour -
RANBY - Bassetlaw - John Mann - Labour -
READING - Reading East - Rob Wilson - Conservative -
RISLEY - Warrington North - Helen Jones - Labour -
ROCHESTER - Rochester and Strood - Pending 2010 Election - -
RYE HILL - Daventry - Tim Boswell - Conservative -
SEND - Mole Valley - Paul Beresford - Conservative -
SHEPTON MALLET - Wells - David Heathcoat-Amory - Conservative -
SHOTTS - Airdrie and Shotts - John Reid - Labour -
SHREWSBURY - Shrewsbury and Atcham - Daniel Kawczynski - Conservative -
SPRING HILL - Buckingham - John Bercow - Speaker (Conservative) -
STAFFORD - Stafford - David Kidney - Labour -
STANDFORD HILL - Sittingbourne and Sheppey - Derek Wyatt - Labour -
STOCKEN - Rutland and Melton - Alan Duncan - Conservative -
STOKE HEATH - Shropshire North - Owen Paterson - Conservative -
STYAL - Tatton - George Osbourne - Conservative -
SUDBURY - Derbyshire Dales - Pending 2010 Election - -
SWALESIDE - Sittingbourne and Sheppey - Derek Wyatt - Labour -
SWANSEA - Swansea West - Alan Williams - Labour -
SWINFEN HALL - Tamworth - Brian Jenkins - Labour -
THE MOUNT - Hertfordshire South West - David Gauke - Conservative -
THE VERNE - Dorset South - Jim Knight - Labour -
THORN CROSS - Warrington South - Helen Southworth - Labour -
USK - Monmouth - David Davies - Conservative -
WAKEFIELD - Wakefield - Mary Creagh - Labour -
WANDSWORTH - Tooting - Sadiq Khan - Labour -
WARREN HILL - Suffolk Coastal - John Gummer - Conservative -
WAYLAND - Norfolk Mid - Keith Simpson - Conservative -
WEALSTUN - Elmet and Rothwell - Pending 2010 Election - -
WELLINGBOROUGH - Wellingborough - Peter Bone - Conservative -
WERRINGTON - Staffordshire Moorlands - Charlotte Atkins - Labour -
WETHERBY - Elmet and Rothwell - Pending 2010 Election - -
WHATTON - Newark - Patrick Mercer - Conservative -
WHITEMOOR - Cambridgeshire North East - Malcolm Moss - Conservative -
WINCHESTER - Winchester - Mark Oaten - Liberal Democrat -
WOLDS - Haltemprice and Howden - David Davis - Conservative -
WOODHILL - Milton Keynes South - Pending 2010 Election - -
WORMWOOD SCRUBS - Hammersmith - Pending 2010 Election - -
WYMOTT - Ribble South - David Borrow - Labour -
These will change at the upcoming election
Constructs More info
Constructs is an Offending Behaviour Programme which aims to develop competence in problem solving, social skills and the ability to prevent re-offending. It also aims to promote a pro-social lifestyle and enables the participants to produce a relapse prevention plan for the future.
Contracted Out Prisons More info
These are prisons run by private companies for profit. There are currently 11:-
HMP Altcourse - G4S Justice Services; HMP Ashfield - Serco; HMP Bronzefield - Kalyx (previously known as UKDS); HMP and YOI Doncaster - Serco; HMP Dovegate - Serco; HMP/YOI Forest Bank - Kalyx; HMP Lowdham Grange - Serco; HMP/YOI Parc - G4S Justice Services; HMP Peterborough - Kalyx; HMP Rye Hill - G4S Justice Services; HMP Wolds - G4S Justice Services.
Click Here for Prison Service Website.
Convicted More info
Found guilty by a court.
Click Here for a chart from Gloucester probation which shows what happens following conviction.
COPFS - Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service More info
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) is responsible for the prosecution of crime in Scotland, the investigation of sudden or suspicious deaths, and the investigation of complaints against the police.
Click Here for the COPFS website.
Costs More info
The expenses involved in a court case, including the fees of the solicitors and barristers and of the court.
Council Tax Benefit More info
If you’re on a low income, whether you're working or not, and need financial help to pay your Council Tax bill, you may be able to get Council Tax Benefit. Find out more, including who is eligible and information about the Second Adult Rebate.
Who is eligible?
To get an estimate of benefits that you may get (whether you're working or not), including Council Tax Benefit, use the online benefits adviser.
Council Tax Benefit
You may get Council Tax Benefit if you pay Council Tax and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level. You may apply whether you rent or own your home, or live rent-free. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage.
Second Adult Rebate
You may get Second Adult Rebate if the person you share your home with is:
> not your partner or civil partner
> aged 18 or over
> not paying you rent
> not paying Council Tax themselves
> on a low income
You may be able to get Second Adult Rebate even if you don't receive Council Tax Benefit.
If you're either:
> not entitled to Council Tax Benefit
> only entitled to benefit which would cover 25 per cent or less of your Council Tax
Your local authority should automatically check if you're entitled to a Second Adult Rebate.
Who isn't eligible?
If you have savings of over £16,000 you can't normally get Council Tax Benefit, unless you're aged 60 or over and getting the 'guarantee credit' of Pension Credit.
Your income and savings won't affect Second Adult Rebate. Second Adult Rebate is based on the other person's circumstances.
Most asylum seekers and people sponsored to be in the UK won't get Council Tax Benefit.
How to check eligibility
If you think you may be eligible for Council Tax benefit, Click Here and enter details of where you live and you will then be taken to your local authority website where you can find out more.
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Counsel More info
A barrister or QC (Queen's Counsel).
Counterclaim More info
A claim brought by a defendant in response to the claimant’s claim, which is included in the same proceedings as the claimant’s claim.
Court Review Report More info
In certain circumstances a court at the time of passing a community order or suspended sentence order can determine that the sentence should be reviewed periodically and would require the responsible officer to present a report (i.e. a Review Report) on the offender’s progress and compliance.
CPM - Care Plan Management More info
To oversee Throughcare and provide continuity through casework reviews.
CPN - Community Psychiatric Nurse More info
A trained psychiatric nurse who makes assessments of prisoners and reports back to various bodies on whether further psychiatric work is needed.
Click Here for more information about Mental Health Professionals.
CPS - Crown Prosecution Service More info
The body which decides whether to take a person to trial and then guides the Crown's interests through the court system.
You can find CPS area offices with our Address Finder.
Click Here for the CPS website.
CRD - Conditional Release Date More info
The date on which a prisoner serving 12 months or more but less than 4 years (and is due to be released under the provisions of the CJA 1991) is released on licence under supervision. The term also applies to prisoners serving a Standard Determinate Sentence (of 12 months or more) and are due to be released on licence under supervision under the provisions of the CJA 2003.
Click Here for 'Your Rights and the CJA 1991'
Click Here for 'Your Rights and the CJA 2003'
CRE - Commission for Racial Equality More info
Criminal Justice Act 1982; Section 1C More info
Authorises a Young Offender to be temporarily kept at an adult establishment.
Click Here to download the Act.
Crisis Loan More info
A Crisis Loan can be used if you need help paying rent in advance after being released from prison and have been awarded a Community Care Grant. You apply to your Jobcentre Plus office.
Click Here for more information.
Cross-examination More info
This is where the lawyers, on both sides ask detailed questions of the other side's witnesses in court to find out if they are telling the truth and gather more answers to clarify issues.
Crown Advocate More info
Crown Advocates review and prepare cases, decide on trial tactics and provide pre-charge advice. They may also present some cases in court.
Crown Prosecutor More info
Crown Prosecutors are senior qualified lawyers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) who review, prepare and prosecute a whole range of cases in court.
CSAP - Correctional Service Accreditation Panel More info
An independent body which accredits Offending Behaviour Programmes run in prisons.
Click Here for more information.
CSC - Close Supervision Centre More info
A special unit for prisoners whose behaviour is very difficult to manage, e.g. hostage takers, serial serious assaulters, etc.
Click Here to download information from RadcliffeOxford.com
Inside Time
Click Here to read an article from Inside Time on this subject
John Bowden is angered by what he considers to be disinformation and rhetoric intended to camouflage the reality of the Wakefield CSC
By John Bowden , from insidetime July 2010
CSCP - Cognitive Self-Change Programme More info
A course which teaches prisoners convicted of violent offences to identify the thoughts that led to the crime and how to avoid them.
Click Here to download a Probation Circular which discusses CSCP programmes.
CSCS Card - Construction Skills Certification Scheme More info
A system designed to prove competence in the construction industry. Increasingly employers will be asking to see the card before employing someone.
Click Here for more information.
CSRA - Cell Sharing Risk Assessment More info
After Zahid Mubarek was murdered in Feltham young offender institution in 2000 by a racist there was an enquiry and one result was the introduction of Risk Assessments of all prisoners prior to being forced to share a cell.
Click Here for Scottish Prison Service Cell Sharing Assessment
Click here to read PSI2005-32 concerning Risk Assessments.
CSV - Community Service Volunteers More info
Custody for life More info
The mandatory sentence for those under 21 convicted of murder, but who committed the murder between the ages of 18 and 21.
Click Here for Prison Service website.
Custody Time Limit More info
The maximum period, as set down in statute, for which a person may be kept in custody before being brought to trial – the maximum periods may only be extended by an order of the judge.
Customer Information Order More info
An order requiring a financial institution to provide certain information held by them relating to a customer for the purposes of an investigation into the proceeds of crime.
D
DCR - Discretionary Conditional Release More info
The statutory name for what in every day language is ‘on parole’. For more information read Chapter 5 of PSO6000.
Click Here for information from Prisoners' Families Helpline.
Declaration of Incompatibility More info
A declaration by a court that a piece of UK legislation is incompatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Defending Counsel More info
A qualified lawyer (normally a barrister or QC) who defends someone accused of a crime in a court of law (usually in the Crown Court).
Deferred Sentence More info
A sentence which is determined after a delay; to allow the court to assess any change in the person’s conduct or circumstances after his or her conviction.
Deposition More info
A written record of a witness’ written evidence. Prisoners often have a copy of all the statements in their trial and refer to them as their 'Deps'.
DG – Director General More info
The head of the Prison Service - currently Michael Spurr (from June 2010)
Mike Ewart is the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service.
Discharge Grant More info
This is money to help with a prisoner's living expenses for the first week after leaving prison. They must claim the discharge grant at least four weeks before they leave prison.
More information can be found in PSO6400.
Discretionary Accommodation Grant More info
If a prisoner is being released with no fixed address (NFA) they can apply for a grant that will help towards the cost of accommodation on release. Forms are issued to the prisoner before release. The grant is provided at the Governor’s discretion and is paid directly to the housing provider.
Click Here to download PSI2005-03 which contains more information.
Distress Warrant More info
A court order giving the power to seize goods from a debtor to pay his debts.
DNA - Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid More info
DNA is a substance found within the cells of all living things including blood, saliva and semen. It is considered to be unique for each individual and is used frequently to facilitate convictions. The Police routinely collect DNA samples from everybody they arrest and have refused to remove the 'DNA Profiles' from their files even if a person is not charged or acquitted. A recent ECHR judgement ruled against the retention of such DNA.
Click Here to read the ECHR Judgement
Click Here for more information from the Home Office on the DNA Database
Click Here to read more about DNA in Forensics
DRR - Drug Rehabilitation Requirement More info
The Drug Rehabilitation Requirement has evolved from the Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) to bring those Orders within the Criminal Justice Act (2003).
Click Here for more information.
DSPD - Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder More info
A psychological description of people who are said to be especially dangerous because of severe personality disorders. The Prison Service have a DSPD Programme and prisoners who are so diagnosed are transfered to special DSDP units located in a small number of prisons.
Click Here for more information.
DSR - Deferred Sentence Report More info
When a Court defers sentence to a future date and sets clear expectations for the offender’s progress, a Pre-Sentence Report (i.e. a deferred sentence report) will normally be required to detail how those expectations have been fulfilled and to assist the court in determining the appropriate sentence.
DTO - Detention and Training Order More info
A DTO sentences a young person to custody. It can be given to 12- to 17-year-olds. The length of the sentence can be between four months and two years. The first half of the sentence is spent in custody while the second half is spent in the community under the supervision of the youth offending team (YOT).
Click Here for more information.
DTTO - Drug Treatment and Testing Order More info
A DTTO is a court order that is aimed at assisting offenders to reduce their drug use.
Click Here for more information.
E
E List - The Escape List More info
A list of potential escapees subject to increased security. People on the 'E-List' may be required to wear special clothing.
Click Here for more information.
EACS Enhanced Addictions Casework Service More info
In Scotland provides a similar role to CARAT teams, including addictions assessments and motivational support sessions.
Click Here for more information.
Early Custody Licence Subsistence Allowance More info
All prisoners released on ECL, and who meet the eligibility requirements, will receive payment of a discharge grant of £46 and weekly subsistence payments of £47.12. The total amount of subsistence payable will depend on the length of the period of ECL.
Click Here to download PSI2007-27 which contains relevant information.
ECHR - European Convention on Human Rights More info
A set of rules for the treatment of people, created in Europe, which Britain has signed up to and has to obey.
Article 1
The High Contracting Parties shall secure to everyone within their jurisdiction the rights and freedoms defined in Section I of this Convention.
SECTION I
Article 2
1: Everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law.
2: Deprivation of life shall not be regarded as inflicted in contravention of this article when it results from the use of force which is no more than absolutely necessary:
a) in defence of any person from unlawful violence;
b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;
c) in action lawfully taken for the purpose of
quelling a riot or insurrection.
Article 3
No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 4
1: No one shall be held in slavery or servitude.
2: No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
3: For the purpose of this article the term "forced or compulsory labour" shall not include:
a) any work required to be done in the ordinary course of detention imposed according to the provisions of Article 5 of this Convention or during conditional release from such detention;
b) any service of a military character or, in case of conscientious objectors in countries where they are recognised, service exacted instead of compulsory military service;
c) any service exacted in case of an emergency or calamity threatening the life or well-being of the community;
d) any work or service which forms part of normal civic obligations.
Article 5
1: Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be deprived of his liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure prescribed by law:
a) the lawful detention of a person after conviction by a competent court;
b) the lawful arrest or detention of a person for non-compliance with the lawful order of a court or in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation prescribed by law;
c) the lawful arrest or detention of a person effected for the purpose of bringing him before the competent legal authority on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence or when it is reasonably considered necessary to prevent his committing an offence or fleeing after having done so;
d) the detention of a minor by lawful order for the purpose of educational supervision or his lawful detention for the purpose of bringing him before the competent legal authority;
e) the lawful detention of persons for the prevention of the spreading of infectious diseases, of persons of unsound mind, alcoholics or drug addicts or vagrants;
f ) the lawful arrest or detention of a person to prevent his effecting an unauthorised entry into the country or of a person against whom action is being taken with a view to deportation or extradition.
2: Everyone who is arrested shall be informed promptly, in a language which he understands, of the reasons for his arrest and of any charge against him.
3: Everyone arrested or detained in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1.c of this article shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorised by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release pending trial. Release may be conditioned by guarantees to appear for trial.
4: Everyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings by which the lawfulness of his detention shall be decided speedily by a court and his release ordered if the detention is not lawful.
5: Everyone who has been the victim of arrest or detention in contravention of the provisions of this article shall have an enforceable right to compensation.
Article 6
1: In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law. Judgment shall be pronounced publicly but the press and public may be excluded from all or part of the trial in the interests of morals, public order or national security in a democratic society, where the interests of juveniles or the protection of the private life of the parties so require, or to the extent strictly necessary in the opinion of the court in special circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice.
2: Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.
3: Everyone charged with a criminal offence has the following minimum rights:
a) to be informed promptly, in a language which he understands and in detail, of the nature and cause of the accusation against him;
b) to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;
c) to defend himself in person or through legal assistance of his own choosing or, if he has not sufficient means to pay for legal assistance, to be given it free when the interests of justice so require;
d) to examine or have examined witnesses against him and to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on his behalf under the same conditions as witnesses against him;
e) to have the free assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand or speak the language used in court.
Article 7
1: No one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence under national or international law at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the criminal offence was committed.
2: This article shall not prejudice the trial and punishment of any person for any act or omission which, at the time when it was committed, was criminal according to the general principles of law recognised by civilised nations.
Article 8
1: Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2: There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 9
1: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2: Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 10
1: Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.
2: The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.
Article 11
1: Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of association with others, including the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
2: No restrictions shall be placed on the exercise of these rights other than such as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces, of the police or of the administration of the State.
Article 12
Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to found a family, according to the national laws governing the exercise of this right.
Article 13
Everyone whose rights and freedoms as set forth in this Convention are violated shall have an effective remedy before a national authority notwithstanding that the violation has been committed by persons acting in an official capacity.
Article 14
The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Convention shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, property, birth or other status.
Article 15
1: In time of war or other public emergency threatening the life of the nation any High Contracting Party may take measures derogating from its obligations under this Convention to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with its other obligations under international law.
2: No derogation from Article 2, except in respect of deaths resulting from lawful acts of war, or from Articles 3, 4 (paragraph 1) and 7 shall be made under this provision.
3: Any High Contracting Party availing itself of this right of derogation shall keep the Secretary General of the Council of Europe fully informed of the measures which it has taken and the reasons therefore. It shall also inform the Secretary General of the Council of Europe when such measures have ceased to operate and the provisions of the Convention are again being fully executed.
Article 16
Nothing in Articles 10, 11 and 14 shall be regarded as preventing the High Contracting Parties from imposing restrictions on the political activity of aliens.
Article 17
Nothing in this Convention may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein or at their limitation to a greater extent than is provided for in the Convention.
Article 18
The restrictions permitted under this Convention to the said rights and freedoms shall not be applied for any purpose other than those for which they have been prescribed.
Click Here for the Human Rights Act 1998
Click Here for the full text of 'European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms' - including all the Sections and Articles.
ECHR or ECtHR - European Court of Human Rights More info
A court which hears complaints from people who believe their rights under the ECHR have been violated.
Click Here for more information.
EDI - Education Development International More info
EDI works in collaboration with industry, governments, universities and professional bodies around the world to ensure its qualifications and assessments are accredited, recognised and relevant.
Click Here for the EDI website.
EN - Enrolled Nurse More info
A medical nurse who has passed examinations set by the Royal College of Nursing and is, therefore, qualified.
Enhanced (IEP) More info
The highest of the three normal IEP levels.
Click Here to download PSO4000 which details the IEP Scheme.
EOEF - European Offender Employment Forum More info
The European Offender Employment Forum (EOEF) exists to: Promote links between different employment providers across Europe.
Lobby and advocate on offender employment issues.
Provide a central information source for policy makers and providers.
The EOEF is an independent not-for-profit organisation reliant on income from member subscriptions, events and project funding.
It is administered by The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion.
Click Here for more information
ERCG – Early Release on Compassionate Grounds More info
The early release of a prisoner for compassionate reasons (usually impending death within 3 months). For further information see Chapter 12 of PSO6000.
ERO - Electoral Registration Officer More info
The person in each area who oversees the Electoral Register and registers people for voting.
Click Here for more information about registering to vote.
ERS - Early Removal Scheme More info
This refers to a scheme whereby foreign prisoners are released early from their sentence and deported. For more information refer to PSO 6000.
ESL - English as a Second Language More info
A course and examination for people for whom English will not be their first language.
Click Here for more information.
ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages More info
An English course and examination for people with another language as their first language.
Click Here for more information.
Estreatment - of recognizance More info
Forfeiture. If, for example, a person puts up a bond to secure bail for a person who then absconds.
ETS - Enhanced Thinking Skills More info
An accredited offending behaviour programme based on cognitive therapy to change the way people think in various situations.
Click Here for MoJ reports into effectiveness of ETS Programmes.
EU - European Union More info
The political grouping of European countries, previously the 'Common Market' and 'EEC'. The European Court is part of the political union.
Evidence in Chief More info
The evidence given by a witness for the party who called them - eg: a defence witness called by the defence or a prosecution witness called by the prosecution.
Examining Justice More info
A magistrate carrying out his or her function of checking that a case appears, on the face of the prosecution case papers, to exist against an accused before the case is put forward for trial in the Crown Court .
Exemplary Damages More info
Damages which go beyond compensating for actual loss and are awarded to show the court’s disapproval of the defendant’s behaviour.
Exhibit More info
A document or item that is to be presented in court. A defendent should have a full list of exhibits that are to be presented. Exhibits are usually sealed in bags before presentation and should have a 'chain of custody' record showing where they have been and who has handled them in the period between acquisition and presentation to court.
F
F2050 More info
The ongoing, day to day, record concerning a prisoner. This includes their 'History Sheet' or 'Page 16'.
Facilitator More info
A fair and impartial third party whose role is to assist the participation of those causing harm and those affected by it in order to find a solution that best meets the needs of all parties.
Facilities List More info
A list of items a prisoner may keep in possession, subject to Volumetric Control.
For more information see PSO1250.
Family Group Conference (FGC) More info
A group meeting involving extended family members who are invited to meet with other parties (police, social workers, welfare officers etc) to resolve problems of conflict or offending behaviour.
Click Here for more information.
Family Visit More info
A special visit for a father (or mother) to have quality time with their children in a more relaxed atmosphere. In YOIs it allows the trainee quality time with his/her parents or guardians.
Information about Family Visits is given with our Regime Information for every prison.
FCDO - Family Contact Development Officer More info
In Scottish prisons the FCDO assists with maintaining family contact and ensuring visits run smoothly.
First Night Centre More info
A special unit in some prisons where people stay for the first night, on arrival, after being convicted. Our Regime Information shows whether a prison has a First Night facility or not.
First Steps Programme More info
This Offending Behavious Programme aims to address the needs of those identified as having drug misuse problems by providing awareness and education on drug related issues.
Fixed Penalty Notices More info
Fixed penalty notices generally deal with environmental offences such as litter, graffiti and dog fouling, and can be issued by local authority officers and police community support officers.
These notices can be issued to anyone over 10 years old.
Offences where a notice might be issued
Examples of offences for which a notice might be issued are:
> littering
> graffitiing or fly posting
> causing so much loud and annoying noise that your neighbours complain
Penalty notices are not the same as criminal convictions. However, failure to pay your fine may result in higher fines or imprisonment.
See also 'PND - Penalty Notice for Disorder'
Fixed Termer More info
A prisoner serving a fixed prison sentence (also called 'determinate'), as opposed to a life sentence prisoner.
Click Here for the 'Crime (Sentences) Act 1997.
FLED – Facility Licence Eligibility Date More info
Quarter of the way through sentence / Half way through custodial part of sentence.
Foreign National More info
A Foreign National is anyone who holds a passport of any nationality other than British. British foreign dual nationals should be treated as British.
Form 1127A More info
If you are charged with an offence under prison disciple (Rule 51) this form must be given to you to explain the charges.
Form 1127C More info
If you are called to an adjudication you must be given this form which explains the procedures. See PSO2000.
Form 256D More info
When you are found guilty at an adjudication the Governor must give you this form which sets out his punishments. See PSO2000.
Form ADJ1 More info
After an adjudication, this form is used to appeal the result or complain about the conduct of the adjudication. See PSO2000.
Forms XF001 & XF002 More info
Forms used to identify risk of harm to others and inform judgement about allocation to shared cells.
Chapter 59 of the Mubarek Enquiry deals with Cell Sharing Risk Assessments and Forms XF001 and XF002.
Free bus travel More info
Since April 2008 everyone who is resident in England and is either:
> of 'eligible age'
> 'eligible disabled'
has been entitled to a free annual bus pass giving free off-peak travel on local buses anywhere in England. Local authorities may offer further benefits to their residents, such as free travel outside off-peak times or reduced tram or rail travel. But these will apply only for travel in the local area, not elsewhere in England.
What is ‘eligible age’?
Eligibility for a bus pass (based on age) is tied to the State Pension age - the earliest age at which you can claim your State Pension.
If you were born before 6 April 1950, you are eligible from your 60th birthday.
However, if you were born after 5 April 1950, you will need to check. The State Pension age for women is changing. This means that the age at which both men and women become eligible for a bus pass is changing too.
Click Here to find out what your 'Pensionable Age' is
Click Here for more information on concessionary fares
Information from Directgov
FRS – Facilitated Returns Scheme More info
The Facilitated Returns Scheme, launched in October 2006, provides incentives to foreign nationals to return to their country of origin. Only the £43 discharge grant will be paid in cash and the rest is given in the form of training or business start-up costs once the individual has returned home.
In addition to the normal removal at the end of sentence, a prisoner can return home up to 135 days early by the Early Removal Scheme. Many foreign nationals are able to be repatriated to serve the remainder of their sentence in their home country. This enables the prisoner to be nearer their family and allows participate in rehabilitation programmes specific to their country.
Click Here for PSI 21/2007 'IMMIGRATION AND FOREIGN NATIONALS IN PRISON' which gives more information
Click Here for PSO 4630 'IMMIGRATION AND FOREIGN NATIONALS IN PRISONS'
Click Here for 'Foreign Nationals' Resource Packs' in various languages
Click Here to go to our Solicitor Search Page which can help you find solicitors who deal with immigration and deportation.
FTE - Full Time Education More info
A prison term referring to someone who attends education, in prison, for all available sessions and does not attend workshops.
Full Search More info
A search where a prisoner is asked to remove all of his or her clothing for searching. It used to be called a 'Strip Search'. There are specific rules for its conduct and the prisoner is only searched by persons of the same sex and should never be naked. The procedure for Full Searches of female prisoners has recently been updated to ensure more privacy.
Click Here for PSI2008-038 New procedures for searching female prisoners.
G
GBH - Grievous Bodily Harm More info
One of the charges associated with violent assault. It is more serious than ABH and comes under the Offences against the Person Act 1861 section 20. Often called a 'Section 20'.
Click Here for more information.
GNVQ - General National Vocational Qualification More info
The GNVQ was a suite of general vocational qualifications, but were withdrawn in 2007.
Click Here for more information about NVQs.
GOOD - Good Order or Discipline More info
This refers to Prison Rule 43. If a prisoner does not behave according to the rules, he or she could be segregated or punished under 'Good Order and Disciple'. PSO1810 contains further information.
Governor More info
A senior non-uniform grade of prison staff. The ‘Governing Governor’ (or No 1 Governor) runs the establishment, other governor grades take responsibility for particular sections of the prison. In private establishments there are no Governors and the most senior management person is the Director.
Guardianship Order More info
An order appointing someone to take charge of a child’s affairs and property.
GUC - Genito-Urinary Clinic More info
GUM - Genito-Urinary Medicine More info
A branch of medicine that deals with sexually transmitted diseases.
Click Here for more information.
H
HCO - Health Care Officer More info
A prison officer who works within a prison healthcare centre.
Click Here to download a report about the future of prison healthcare.
HDC - Home Detention Curfew More info
An early release scheme whereby a person is released and has to remain in their accommodation during certain hours. An electronic device is usually used to ensure compliance.
Click Here for more information on HDC from the Prisoners' Advice Service.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about HDC
Hearsay Evidence More info
Hearsay evidence is evidence that is reported but not given by the actual witness.
The CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) say;
The Criminal Justice Act 2003 codifies the law on the admissibility of hearsay evidence and abolishes previous common law rules and statutory provisions.
The changes have followed considerable criticism of the operation of the existing law. In 1997 the Law Commission conducted a full consultation exercise and thereafter produced a report and draft Bill (Law Commission report No 245 Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Hearsay and related topics). This area of law was also considered by Sir Robin Auld as part of his Review. Sir Robin Auld concluded that we should move away from the strict rule against the admission of hearsay evidence in criminal proceedings, to a more flexible position where we admit such evidence and instead trust fact-finders to assess the weight of the evidence. The Government's White Paper "Justice for All" promoted more inclusionary rules of evidence with the comment "Justice is not served if important information is excluded for no good reason." The new approach is consequently to make it easier to present evidence, including hearsay, to the jury.
The Government has generally adopted the Law Commission recommendations and the provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 are generally consistent with the draft bill that was produced in 1997.
The general principle in relation to criminal proceedings is that prosecution and defence witnesses should give oral evidence and be available for cross-examination. The Law Commission accepted that this was a fundamental part of the trial system.
Article 6(3)(d) of the European Convention on Human Rights states that a person charged with a criminal offence has a right "to examine or have examined witnesses against him and to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on his behalf under the same conditions as witnesses against him". This right is one of the factors to be taken into account when considering whether or not there has been a fair trial. One of the purposes of Article 6(3)(d) is to put the accused person on an equal footing with the prosecution.
The new hearsay provisions apply equally to the defence as to the prosecution with the added safeguard for the defendant that any matters requiring proof must be proved to the criminal standard by the prosecution and on a balance of probabilities by the defence.
Exceptions to the rule against hearsay have been developed at common law and by statute. As long ago as 1965 the House of Lords (DPP v Myers [1965] AC 1001) suggested that there was no proper principle being followed and that future developments to exceptions to the hearsay rules should be left to legislation. The former legislation is contained in (Part 2 (Sections 23 to 28) Criminal Justice Act 1988) and relates to the admissibility of statements made by unavailable witnesses.
Reproduced courtesy of CPS
Click Here for more information
History Sheet More info
A daily record kept on prisoners by prison officers. Also called a 'Page 16'.
HLED - Home Leave Eligibility Date More info
The date at which a prisoner becomes eligible for consideration for home leave.
HMCIP - Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons More info
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales (HMI Prisons) is an independent inspectorate which reports on conditions for, and treatment of, those in prisons, young offender institutions and immigration detention facilities. They provide independent scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees, promoting the concept of 'healthy prisons' in which staff work effectively to support prisoners and detainees to reduce reoffending or achieve other agreed outcomes.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) is appointed from outside the Prison Service, for a term of five years. The Chief Inspector reports to Ministers on the treatment of prisoners and conditions in prisons in England and Wales.
The Inspectorate’s programme of inspection is based on a mixture of chronology and risk assessment. Full inspections run on a five or three year cycle; all unannounced follow-up inspections run on a risk-assessed basis.
Full inspections
Prison establishments holding adults and young adults are inspected once every five years. Establishments holding juveniles are inspected every three years. This type of inspection lasts for at least one week. The Inspectorate collects information from many sources, including the people who work there, the people who are imprisoned or detained there, and visitors or others with an interest in the establishment. Inspection findings are reported back to the establishment’s managers. Reports are published within 16 weeks of inspection. The establishment is then expected to produce an action plan, based on the recommendations made within the report, within a short period following publication.
Full follow-up inspections
Follow-up inspections are unannounced and proportionate to risk. In full follow-up inspections inspectors assess progress made and undertake in-depth analysis of areas of serious concern identified in the previous full inspection, particularly on safety and respect.
Short follow-up inspections
Short follow-up inspections are also unannounced and conducted where the previous full inspection and our intelligence systems suggest that there are comparatively fewer concerns.
Escort inspections
Three escort inspections are conducted every year.
Pre-inspection visit
One month prior to each full announced inspection, an inspector will visit the establishment to plan the inspection and request a range of preliminary information. In addition, researchers will attend to conduct a confidential survey of a representative proportion of the prisoner population. Results from the prisoner survey are provided for inspectors prior to the inspection and constitute an important source of evidence.
The inspection
All inspections are conducted against the Inspectorate's published inspection criteria, 'Expectations'. Expectations' are based on international human rights standards, as well as Prison Service Orders and Standards, and over all issues considered essential to the safe, respectful and purposeful treatment of offenders in custody and their effective resettlement.
'Expectations' is the document which sets out the detailed criteria HMI Prisons uses to appraise and inspect prisons. These criteria are used to examine every area of prison life, from reception to resettlement, including;
• safer custody
• health services
• good order
• work
• diversity
• resettlement
The concept of a healthy prison is one that was first set out by the World Health Organisation, but it has been developed by this Inspectorate, and is now widely accepted as a definition of what ought to be provided in any custodial environment. It rests upon four key tests:
• safety: prisoners, even the most vulnerable, are held safely
• respect: prisoners are treated with respect for their human dignity
• purposeful activity: prisoners are able, and expected, to engage in activity that is likely to benefit them
• resettlement: prisoners are prepared for release into the community, and helped to reduce the likelihood of reoffending
Post-inspection action
Inspection reports are published within 16 weeks of the inspection. Prior to publication, the Prison Service (or whoever is responsible for the establishment) is invited to correct any factual inaccuracies within the report. The establishment is then expected to produce an action plan, based on the recommendations made in the report, within two months of publication. A progress report on the action plain is produced after a further 12 months.
Click Here for the HMCIP website.
HMP - Her Majesty’s Pleasure More info
The mandatory sentence of detention for someone convicted of murder who is under the age of 18. It is equivalent to an adult life sentence.
Click Here for more information.
HMYOI - Her Majesty's Young Offenders' Institution More info
A prison for young people, usually between 18 and 21 years old. Residents are not referred to as prisoners but usually 'Trainees'.
Home Leave More info
Before a prisoner is released he/she is often allowed to stay at his or her home for short periods, to re-adjust, before final release.
Hospital Order More info
An order that an offender should be admitted to, and detained in, a specified hospital.
Housing Benefit More info
If you're on a low income, whether you're working or not, and need financial help to pay all or part of your rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit. Find out more, including who is eligible and how to claim.
Who is eligible?
You may get Housing Benefit if you pay rent and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level. You could qualify if you are out of work, or in work and earning a wage.
Use the online benefits adviser to get an estimate of the benefits, including Housing Benefit, you may get.
Who isn't eligible?
You can't usually get Housing Benefit if:
> you have savings of over £16,000, unless you are aged 60 or over and getting the '> guarantee credit' of Pension Credit
> you live in the home of a close relative
> you're a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children)
> you're an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK
Other restrictions
If you live with a partner or civil partner only one of you can get Housing Benefit.
If you're single and aged under 25 you can only get Housing Benefit for bed-sit accommodation or one room in shared accommodation.
How to check eligibility
If you think you may be eligible for Housing Benefit, Click Here and enter details of where you live and you will then be taken to your local authority website where you can find out more.
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Click Here for more information
HRA - Human Rights Act 1998 More info
The European Convention on Human Rights as passed into English Law in 1998 with The Human Rights Act.
HRP - Healthy Relationships Programme More info
The HRP programme is designed for men who have either been convicted of, or admit to, abusive and violent behaviour in the home and who have been assessed as a risk of being violent in their intimate relationships.
Click Here for the HMPS website.
Hypnosis More info
The police will sometimes arrange for a witness to be hypnotised in the hope that he or she will recall further details under hypnosis.
Information obtained under hypnosis should always be treated with great caution. There is a strong likelihood that evidence obtained under hypnosis will be unreliable and inadmissible in criminal proceedings.
A person who has been hypnotised should only be called as witness in exceptional circumstances.
Information obtained under hypnosis may be true or false. The technical term for false information is "confabulation". It is impossible to distinguish between the truth and confabulation unless there is independent evidence confirming the information.
A person under hypnosis may be subject to "cueing". This means:
explicit or implicit suggestion by the hypnotist;
something said long before the session;
something that the witness just happened to be thinking about;
a fantasy of the witness.
During hypnosis these can become fixed as facts in the mind of the subject. There is no reliable means of guarding against this happening.
The information above is reproduced courtesy of CPS
Click Here for more information
I
ICAS - Independent Complaints Advocacy Service More info
The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) supports patients and their carers wishing to pursue a complaint about their NHS treatment or care. This statutory service was launched on 1 September 2003 and provides a national service delivered to agreed quality standards.
Contact Numbers:
London: 0845 120 3784
South East: 0845 600 8616
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire: 0845 456 1082
Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk: 0845 456 1084
Essex: 0845 456 1083
South West: 0845 120 3782
West Midlands: 0845 120 3748
East Midlands: 0300 456 8347
North East: 0300 456 8348
North West: 0300 456 8350
Yorkshire and Humberside: 0300 456 8349
ID - Identification More info
Persons visiting prisons must provide accepted identification so the prison can be sure they are who they say they are. This is usually a photographic document such as a Driving Licence or Passport, plus a current domestic bill which shows the address.
IDTS - Integrated Drug Treatment System More info
IDTS is an initiative that aims to radically improve the clinical and psychosocial drug treatment services offered within prisons and ensure that professionals work together on the coordination of care. Clinical interventions are supported by a range of intensive psychosocial programmes delivered by prison CARAT teams. The IDTS approach also focuses upon providing continuity of treatment between communities and prisons and the planning and commissioning is therefore located within the local CDRP/DAT Partnership.
The key aims of IDTS are to:
Integrate drug treatment provided by prison healthcare with those services provided by CARATS
Increase the availability, consistency and quality of these services
Provide a 28-day structured care package of psychosocial support for prisoners with problematic drug use
Diversify the range of treatment options available to those in prisons
Ensure compliance with the latest national Clinical Guidelines and NICE recommendations
Strengthen continuity of care for drug users entering, moving between and exiting prisons
Raise the standards to NTA Models of Care levels to ensure that, following triage and comprehensive assessment, a range of fully coordinated and structured services is available
Strengthen links to community services including Primary Care Trusts, criminal justice integrated teams (CJITs), and drug treatment providers.
Click Here for more information.
IDU - Intravenous Drug User More info
A person who uses drugs by injecting them.
IEP - Incentive and Earned Privileges More info
A system that is supposed to reward good behaviour with extra privileges and deter bad behaviour by their withdrawal; Usually three tiers; Basic, Standard and Enhanced. The IEP level may affect whether a prisoner wears his own clothing (female prisoners can always wear their own clothing), how much they may earn and how many visits (or length of visit) they may have.
Click Here to download PSO4000 which details the IEP Scheme.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on IEP
IG - Instructions to Governors More info
Short 'memos' sent to governors with mandatory instructions (ie instructions or orders which MUST be complied with).
IG 54/94 (Schedule 1 of Children and Young Persons Act 1933) More info
Contains instructions used to identify potential Vulnerable Prisoners (Rule 45) and/or potential risk to the public via telephone, correspondence and visits.
Click Here to download the Children and Young Persons Act 1933.
IMB - Independent Monitoring Board More info
By law every prison and immigration removal centre must have an Independent Monitoring Board. IMBs in prisons derive their responsibilities from the Prison Act 1952 (Section 6).
IMBs were known as ‘Boards of Visitors’ and are still referred to in the legislation under their old titles, although this is likely to change in the near future.
The principle of independent monitoring of prisons is one that has been around since Tudor times, although the IMBs of today are very different to those that existed in the past.
The Independent Monitoring Board is made up of independent and unpaid volunteers from the local area. They monitor the day-to-day life the prison and ensure that proper standards of care and decency are maintained. Members have unrestricted access to all areas of the prison at all times and can talk to any prisoner they wish to, out of sight and hearing of a members of staff.
If a prisoner has an issue that they have been unable to resolve through the usual internal channels, they can place a confidential request to see a member of the IMB. Problems might include concerns over lost property, visits from family or friends, special religious or cultural requirements, or even serious allegations such as bullying. In addition, if something serious happens at the prison, for example a riot or a death in custody, IMB members may be called in to attend and observe the way in which it is handled.
The IMB meets regularly, usually once per month, and has an elected Chair and Vice Chair. Members work together as a team to raise any matters of concern and to keep an independent eye on the prison.
Click Here to open the IMB website.
IMR - Inmate Medical Record More info
A prisoners' medical file, as held by the prison. This is a confidential document.
Click Here for information about confidentiality and IMRs.
In Camera More info
Any process, including a trial, which is conducted in private - without the public or press present - is said to be 'in-camera'.
In Chambers More info
A hearing, in private, which doesn't form part of the trial.
In Possession Medication More info
Medicines that a prisoner may keep in his or her possession - rather than being issued, as required, by healthcare staff.
Click Here to download an NHS report looking at In-Possession Medication.
Inchoate offences More info
There are instances where a substantive offence may not have come to completion but nevertheless an offence has been committed because of the actions or agreements in preparation for the substantive offence.
Click Here for more information
Incitement More info
The offence of incitement occurs when a person seeks to persuade another to commit a criminal offence. A person is guilty of incitement to commit an offence or offences if:
S/he incites another to do or cause to be done an act or acts which, if done, will involve the commission of an offence or offences by the other; and s/he intends or believes that the other, if he acts as incited, shall or will do so with the fault required for the offence(s) (R v Claydon [2006] 1 Cr.App.R. 20) (see further Archbold 34-70). It is not a defence to a charge of incitement that the other person, for whatever reason, does not commit the offence, or commits a different offence to that incited.
The prosecution must show that the person accused of incitement intended or believed that the person incited would, if acted as incited to do so, do so with the mens rea appropriate to the offence.
Incitement is usually a common law offence but there are some instances where statute has created the offence: e.g., section 19 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Where a person has been charged with incitement, the venue for trial is the same as for the offence incited. Therefore, incitement to commit a summary offence is only triable summarily and incitement to commit an indictable only offence may only be tried on indictment.
Reproduced courtesy of CPS
Click Here for more information
Income Support More info
Income Support is extra money to help people on a low income. It’s for people who don't have to sign on as unemployed. Whether you qualify or not and how much you get depends on your circumstances. Find out more, including who can get it.
Who can get Income Support
It's for people who all the following apply to:
> are between age 16 and the age they can get Pension Credit
> have a low income
> work less than 16 hours a week
> aren't in full-time study (but there are some exceptions)
> don't get Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
> don't have savings above £16,000
> live in Great Britain
You may get Income Support if you are one of the following:
> a lone parent
> on parental or paternity leave
> a carer
> a refugee learning English who arrived less than a year ago
Young people in relevant education may also get Income Support. Generally this means full-time education up to GCE A-level or Scottish Certificate of Education (Higher level). This might apply if you:
> are a lone parent
> don't live with a parent or someone acting as a parent
> are at serious risk of abuse or violence
> are a refugee learning English
> You can get Income Support as well as some other benefits.
Contact Jobcentre Plus to find out more.
Information from DirectGov
Click Here for more information
IND - Immigration and Nationality Directorate More info
The department responsible for regulation of entry to and settlement in the UK. It is now the UK Border Agency.
Indictment - Form F5088 More info
This is a record of the charge(s) and the law(s) which the prisoner comes under.
Indirect Mediation More info
Also known as Shuttle Mediation. Where perpetrator and victim do not wish to meet face to face a Facilitator 'shuttles' between them to try to reach an agreement.
Induction More info
Programme of classes and activities during first few weeks a prisoner is in a prison, whether newly convicted or transferred. During this time the prison may want to carry out assessments on the prisoner.
This is covered by PSO0550 and PSO0200 Operating Standard 42.
Injunction More info
A court order prohibiting a person from doing something or requiring a person to do something.
Insiders (also called 'Buddies') More info
‘Insiders’ is a peer support scheme targeted at reception. Prisoners are trained to provide information, advice and assistance to new prisoners during the first few days of custody. These schemes are intended to complement Listeners, by reducing the stress of entry into prison – but not to provide specialist peer support. Insiders do not work under a code of confidentiality, and they can inform staff if they have concerns about something a prisoner has told them.
The following is an extract from PSO2700
During 2002, this type of peer support scheme was piloted in eight and evaluated in six establishments. The evaluation demonstrated that the scheme had a positive impact on prisoners’ early experience of custody. The scheme adapted to different types of establishments with differing functions, facilities and populations. Those where the Insiders had been fully integrated into the everyday procedures tended to operate more smoothly. With staff and Insider commitment, projects functioned successfully in reception. Schemes were also piloted on the induction/first night units as well as in reception; these schemes tended to allow Insiders greater flexibility to work round time, staffing, population and environmental restraints than those based in reception.
Prisoners who took on the role found it personally rewarding and were keen to own and manage the day to day issues themselves. Everyone who was interviewed during the evaluation said that they would recommend rolling out the scheme to other establishments, in particular the higher risk locals. The evaluation of the young person scheme, which was very positive, was completed before the rest of the pilots and in the light of this the scheme has been introduced at a number of other young person establishments. Staff who piloted the scheme, Safer Custody Group particularly recommends setting up such a scheme in local, high risk establishments.
The Insiders scheme involves the training of selected prisoner volunteers to provide basic information and reassurance to new receptions shortly after their arrival in prison. In many establishments this role is currently being carried out by Listeners and it is intended that the development of a specialist Insiders scheme to carry out this function, particularly in high risk locals, will release Listeners to focus on providing confidential emotional support to prisoners in distress.
The first days in custody in custody are particularly distressing for many prisoners, particularly those new to the prison system, and it is hoped that the Insiders scheme will help reduce the anxiety experienced by them. This early period is also high risk in terms of suicide; it is hoped that providing a peer support scheme where prisoners are trained to help others at this high-risk period will contribute to the wider suicide prevention strategy.
The Insiders initiative has two key aims:
· to offer reassurance to new prisoners
· to provide them with key information, which will be useful to them in their early in custody.
It is clearly distinguished from Listener schemes in terms of objectives, function and operation. Insiders are not expected, nor equipped to provide emotional support and do not operate under the principle of confidentiality.
Instrument More info
A formal legal document.
Intermediary More info
A person who asks a witness (particularly a child) questions posed by the cross-examining legal representative.
Intervention (or Constructive Intervention) More info
Work with a prisoner or ex-prisoner which is designed to change their offending behaviour and to support public protection.
IP - In Possession More info
Either a description of property a prisoner keeps with him/her, or a list of items a prisoner is allowed 'in possession' (ie. in their cell) or room.
IPP - Imprisonment for Public Protection More info
IPP is an indeterminate sentence for people whose offences are not serious enough for life imprisonment, but are considered by the court to be potentially dangerous. IPP prisoners can only be released when the Parole Board is satisfied they no longer pose a risk to the public. The prisoner is expected to demonstrate that their supposed risk has been reduced - this is done through prison based courses identified on their Sentence Plan.
PSO4700 - Chapter 1 deals with IPP sentences
PSI2008-007 Initial Categorisation Of Male Indeterminate Sentence Prisoners
Click Here to download the PRT booklet for IPP prisoners
Click Here to download information on IPP from Prisoners' Advice Service
Click Here for information on Life & IPP sentences from the Prison Service
Click Here for information about IPP and failure to provide 'Course'. (Irwin Mitchell Sol,).
IQRA Trust More info
The IQRA Trust works to promote a better understanding of the needs of Muslim prisoners in British prisons by supporting prison-imams, and organising cultural awareness events for prison staff.
Click Here for more information
IRC - Immigration Removal Centre More info
Establishments where people are held prior to deportation. They are not prisons but generally run on similar lines. They are the responsibility of the UK Border Agency. Three, Dover, Haslar and Lindholme are run by HM Prison Service, others are either managed by the UKBA or contracted out to private companies.
Click Here for a list of Removal and Holding Centres.
ISO - Individual Support Order More info
ISOs are court orders only available for 10-17 year olds which can be attached to 'stand alone' ASBOs and impose positive conditions on the young person to address the underlying causes of the behaviour that led to the ASBO.
An ISO may last up to six months and can require a young person to attend up to two sessions a week under the supervision of the youth offending team (YOT).
Breach of an ISO is a criminal offence which may be punished by way of a financial penalty.
Information from the Youth Justice Board
ISSP - Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme More info
ISSP is the most rigorous, non custodial intervention available for young offenders.
Click Here for more information.
J
JETS Living Skills More info
The JETS Living Skills programme is based on the ETS cognitive skills programme but has been specifically re-developed for use with a juvenile age group.
Click Here to go to the HMPS website on Offending Behaviour Programmes.
Jobseeker's Allowance More info
Jobseeker’s Allowance is the main benefit for people of working age who are out of work or work less than 16 hours a week on average. If you're eligible, it is paid while you're looking for work. Find out more information including how to apply online.
Who can get Jobseeker's Allowance?
To get Jobseeker's Allowance you must be:
> available for and actively seeking work
> between 18 and State Pension age
> working less than 16 hours per week on average
Jobseeker's Allowance isn't normally paid to 16 or 17 year olds, except in special cases.
If you’re a man aged 60 to 64, you may be better off claiming Pension Credit. Contact Jobcentre Plus for advice.
How it works
There are two types of Jobseeker's Allowance, 'contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance' and 'income-based Jobseeker's Allowance'.
Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobcentre Plus can pay this for up to 182 days. It’s based on how much National Insurance you have paid in the last two tax years. Generally, self-employed contributions will not help you qualify for contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
This is based on your income and savings. You may get this if you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions (NICs) (or you've only paid contributions for self-employment) and you're on a low income.
How to claim
If you’ve claimed before
If you have stopped getting Jobseeker’s Allowance in the last 26 weeks and want to claim the same type again, call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.
Claim online
Call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.
There's a Welsh language line on 0800 012 1888, and a textphone 0800 023 4888 if you find it hard to speak or hear clearly.
Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Jobseeker's Allowance payments
Jobseeker's Allowance is paid at the end of every fortnight. It's paid straight into your bank or building society account. This is the best way to get your benefit because you can choose how and when to take your money out of your account.
If you get an occupational or personal pension, it may affect the amount of benefit you get.
Click Here for more information
JR - Judges' Remand More info
A prisoner who is convicted but awaiting sentence (eg waiting for pre-sentence reports etc).
Click Here for information from 'Prisoners' Families Helpline' about "Judges' Remand".
JR - Judicial Review More info
Judicial review is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public body.
In other words, judicial reviews are a challenge to the way in which a decision has been made, rather than the rights and wrongs of the conclusion reached.
It is not really concerned with the conclusions of that process and whether those were 'right', as long as the right procedures have been followed. The court will not substitute what it thinks is the 'correct' decision.
This may mean that the public body will be able to make the same decision again, so long as it does so in a lawful way.
If you want to argue that a decision was incorrect, judicial review may not be best for you. There are alternative remedies, such as appealing against the decision to a higher court.
Examples of the types of decision which may fall within the range of judicial review include:
•Decisions of local authorities in the exercise of their duties to provide various welfare benefits and special education for children in need of such education;
•Certain decisions of the immigration authorities and Immigration Appellate Authority;
•Decisions of regulatory bodies;
•Decisions relating to prisoner's rights.
Information courtyesy of 'Judicial Communications Office'
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on Judicial Reviews
InsideTime
Click Here to read an article from Inside Time on this subject
Keith Rose offers a route down which prisoners might consider going in order to prepare their own Judicial Review
By Keith Rose, from insidetime; June 2010
Jury Vetting More info
Article 6(1) ECHR requires trial by an independent and impartial tribunal.
The principles which are generally to be observed are:
Members of a jury should be selected at random from the panel, subject to any rule of law as to right of challenge by the defence;
The Juries Act 1974 and the Juries (Disqualification) Act 1984 identify those classes of person who alone are disqualified from or ineligible for service on a jury. No other class of persons may be treated as disqualified or ineligible;
The correct way for the Crown to seek to exclude a member of the panel from sitting as a juror is by the exercise in open court of the right to request a stand by or challenge for cause. The parties to any jury trial may inspect a copy of the panel from which the jury in their trial will be chosen, in order to:
enable the parties to inquire about members of the panel;
decide whether any should be challenged
There are 2 types of jury vetting (checks):
A criminal records office (CRO) check in accordance with Home Office Circular 43/1988 (random check) or the Annex to the Attorney General's Guidelines on Jury Checks 88 Cr App R123 at 125 (specific check);
An "authorised jury check" which may involve a CRO check, Special Branch records check and sometimes a Security Services check. An "authorised jury check" can only be authorised by the Attorney General in accordance with the Attorney General's Guidelines on Jury Checks. 88 Cr App R 123 at 124
Reproduced by courtesy of CPS
Click Here for more information
Justice of the Peace (JP) More info
A magistrate, either a lay justice, or a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts).
Justices’ Clerk More info
A post in the magistrates’ court of person who has various powers and duties including giving advice to the magistrates on law and procedure.
Juvenile Estate More info
All secure accommodation for juveniles in the UK, including YOIs. Many of these are run by local authorities.
Click Here for more information from HMPS.
Juveniles More info
This term applies to prisoners under the age of 18 and/or those prisoners serving a DTO (Detention and Training Order).
K
Kainos More info
Kainos Prison Communities offer prisoners therapeutic offending behaviour interventions, supportive community living and social development.
Click Here for more information.
Key Skills More info
Key Skills are the essential skills that everyone needs to succeed in education and training, in work and in life in general.
KPI - Key Performance Indicator More info
Prisons have targets set for various aspects of their work and are then assessed on how well the targets have been met.
L
Landing More info
Prisons have houseblock or wings; these often have several floors; each floor is a landing. Thus the 2nd floor landing is often referred to as "The 2's".
LASCH - Local Authority Secure Children's Homes More info
Local Authority Secure Children’s Homes provide secure accommodation for children who have been through the criminal justice system and those who are placed there for welfare reasons.
Click Here for more information.
LBB - Locks, Bars and Bolts More info
A daily check by prison officers that the security of a cell is OK. It is not a search but merely a fabric check.
Leave of the Court More info
Permission granted by the court.
Leave to Appeal More info
Permission granted to appeal the decision of a court.
LED - Licence Expiry Date More info
The date on which compulsory supervision ends for those prisoners released under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1991. It applies to prisoners serving 12 months and over. It will normally be at the three-quarters point but run to the end of the sentence for sex offenders if ordered by the sentencing court under Section 44 of the CJA 1991. The licence expiry point for those due to be released from a Standard Determinate Sentence under the provisions of the CJA 2003 will always be the end of sentence.
There are a number of PSOs which deal with aspects of release and licence. Please refer to our Rules and Regulations section and search PSOs under the category 'Licence'.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on LED/SED
Legal Visit More info
A visit to a prisoner by one or more of his or her legal team. These visits are in sight of, but out of the hearing, of staff; and usually in special rooms.
Good practice for Legal Visits is set out in PSI2007-41.
Letter of Request More info
A letter issued to a foreign court asking a judge to take the evidence of a person within that court’s jurisdiction.
LIDS - Local Inmate Data System More info
A computer system used throughout the prison containing all a prisoner's records.
Limitation Period More info
The period within which a person who has a right to claim against another person must start court proceedings to establish that right. The expiry of the period may be a defence to the claim.
List More info
Cases are allocated to different lists depending on the subject matter of the case. The lists are used for administrative purposes and may also have their own procedures and judges.
Listeners More info
These are prisoners selected and trained by the Samaritans who support other prisoners in times of stress and need.
LLO - Lifer Liaison Officer More info
The specific prison officer within a prison who deals with lifer issues.
LMU - Lifer Management Unit More info
A section at Prison Headquarters (Abell House) who deal with Life Sentence Prisoners.
Click Here to look up which teams work with which prisoners.
LOA - Loss of Association More info
One of the punishments available to Adjudicating Governors whereby a prisoner loses his or her 'Association' for a set period (they still have access to telephones, showers, gym, chapel, exercise and work/education).
More information is available in PSO2000 (Discipline Manual).
Local Housing Allowance More info
If you are a private tenant renting property or room from a private landlord and you are on a low income, you may be able to claim and receive Local Housing Allowance. Find out more, including how it's paid.
What is the Local Housing Allowance?
If you are renting a property or room from a private landlord, the Local Housing Allowance is used to work out how much Housing Benefit you get.
If you have been getting Housing Benefit since before 7 April 2008 the Local Housing Allowance will only apply to you if you:
> change address
> have a break in your claim
With the Local Housing Allowance, your Housing Benefit is worked out according to where you live and who lives with you. Local Housing Allowance rates are set for different types of accommodation in each area. The rates range from a single room in a shared house up to properties with five bedrooms.
How Local Housing Allowance rates are calculated
Local Housing Allowance rates are calculated each month for individual areas, known as Broad Market Rental Areas.
The Local Housing Allowance rate for each property size is based on the 'middle of the range' rental figure for the area. Exactly half of the rental properties of that size in the area will be affordable if you claim Housing Benefit under the Local Housing Allowance rules.
Where the rates are published
Local Housing Allowance rates are published at the end of each month for the following month. For example, the April rates will be made available at the end of March. You can check these locally on your local council's website or by visiting the Local Housing Allowance Direct website.
This will tell you how much help with your rent you might get before you find somewhere to live, making it easier for you to decide what property you can afford.
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Lock Down More info
The process of locking inmates in their cells, either as part of the daily routine or if an incident is taking place.
Long-Term Prisoner More info
Any prisoner serving a sentence of 4 years or more.
Click Here for information about Throughcare for long-term prisoners in Scotland.
LoR – Likelihood of Re-offending More info
A term used by Probation Services in relation to their work with released prisoners. It is their measure of whether a client is likely to commit another offence.
Click Here for a research study into re-offending.
LPR - Lifer Parole Review More info
All life sentence prisoners are entitled to a Parole Board review shortly before the expiry of the minimum term of imprisonment (often referred to as the “tariff”) expires.
Click Here for more information about Life Sentences.
Click Here for more information.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Lifer Reviews
LRU - Lifer Review Unit More info
A section of the prison Service which monitors the progression of life sentence prisoners.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Lifer Reviews
LU - Lifer Unit More info
Formerly Lifer Management Unit. Oversees the management and movement of lifers between prisons through their sentence.
Click Here for more information on Life Sentences.
M
Mandatory Order More info
An order from the Divisional Court of the Queen’s Bench Division ordering a body (such as a magistrates’ court) to do something (such as rehear a case).
MAPPA - Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements More info
The MAPPA began operating in April 2001. This body places a duty on the police and the National Probation Service to assess and manage risks posed by ex-prisoners in every community in England and Wales.
The MAPPA framework identifies the three separate but connected levels at which risk is assessed and managed:
Level 1 - Ordinary risk management, low/medium risk cases which are usually managed by a single agency;
Level 2 - Local inter-agency management, high risk cases requiring the active involvement of more than one agency;
Level 3 - Multi-Agency Public Protection Panels (MAPPPs), high/very high level of risk, cases assessed as being high/very high risk of causing serious harm or highly likely to be subject to media scrutiny and/or public interest.
PSO4745 is the PSO which deals with MAPPA.
Click Here for more information about MAPPA.
Click Here for a further list of links from the Ministry of Justice.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about MAPPA
MDT - Mandatory Drug Testing More info
Under Prison Rule 51 (9) a prisoner can be required to provided a sample (usually urine) to be tested for drugs. Refusal is a disciplinary offence.
Click Here to download PSO3061 which details MDT procedures.
Click Here to download Home Office study into effects of MDT in prisons.
Click Here for University of Central England in Birmingham report on MDT in prisons
Click Here to download the Russell Judgement.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about MDT
Mediation More info
A face-to-face process whereby an impartial 'third person' tries to help two or more parties resolve a dispute or conflict.
Money Payment Supervision Order (MPSO) More info
Youth and adult magistrates’ courts may enforce monetary penalties by appointing a member of the Probation Service (or other person) to supervise the offender.
Mother and Baby Unit More info
Part of a women's prison where young babies can remain with their mothers until they are nine or 18 months old. There are seven mother and baby units in the UK. A prisoner must make a special application to enter a mother and baby unit. If she is refused, she will not be able to keep her baby with her in prison.
Multi-Faith Room More info
A special room within the Chapel area which can be used for worship or study by any faith.
N
NACRO - National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders More info
A charity which campaigns for better conditions for prisoners and also has projects to help them whilst in prison and after release.
Click Here to open the NACRO website.
National Minimum Wage More info
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitled to be paid. If you are being paid below the NMW you can contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline for confidential help.
For confidential help and advice on the NMW call 0800 917 2368
Most workers in the UK over compulsory school leaving age are legally entitled to be paid at least the NMW and all employers have to pay it to you if you are entitled to it. It makes no difference:
> if you are paid weekly or monthly, by cheque, in cash or in another way
> if you work full time, part time or any other working pattern
> if you work at your employer’s own premises or elsewhere
> what size your employer is
> where you work in the UK
You are entitled to the NMW even if you sign a contract agreeing to be paid at a lower rate. This is regardless of whether you sign of your own free will or because your employer persuades or makes you. The contract will have no legal effect and you must still be paid the proper rate.
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Click Here for more information and current Minimum Wage rates
NHS Net More info
A secure intranet for the NHS, providing all health service bodies, GPs and
key partners with access to a wealth of information, educational resources and best
practice, along with secure e-mail links that can be used for the exchange of confidential
information.
NICE – National Institute for Clinical Excellence More info
Set-up in April 1999, the aim of the Institute is to provide patients, health professionals and the public with authoritative, robust and reliable guidance on current ‘best practice’. NICE appraises new and existing drugs and treatments and produces guidance on their clinical and cost effectiveness.
Non-Jury Trials More info
Sections 44 to 49 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 came into force on 24 July 2006. Part 7 makes provision for non-jury trial in cases where there is danger of jury tampering or where jury tampering has taken place.
The prosecution must apply to a judge of the Crown Court at a preparatory hearing for a trial to be conducted without a jury under Section 44 (2). Under Section 44 (3) the judge must grant the application if he is satisfied that the conditions in Section 44 (4) and Section 44 (5) are fulfilled. If he is not so satisfied, he must refuse the application.
The conditions are:
There is evidence of a real and present danger that jury tampering would take place and; notwithstanding any steps (including the provision of police protection) which might reasonably be taken to prevent jury tampering, the likelihood that it would take place would be so substantial as to make it necessary in the interests of justice for the trial to be conducted without a jury.
Reproduced courtesy of CPS
Click Here for more information
Notice of Transfer More info
A procedure used in cases of serious and complex fraud, and in certain cases involving child witnesses, where the prosecution can, without seeking judicial approval, have the case sent direct to the Crown Court without the need to have the accused committed for trial.
NPD - Non Parole Date More info
The date on which a prisoner serving 4 years and over (and is due to be released under the provisions of the CJA1991) who has not been granted parole must be released. It also applies to prisoners sentenced before 1 October 1992 and is set at the two-third point.
Chapter 6 of PSO6000 provides more information.
Nurse Practitioner More info
The Royal College of Nursing describes the Nurse Practitioner as an individual who can diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of illness. What differentiates a Nurse Practitioner from any other qualified nurse is the ability, and authority, to diagnose and then treat.
NVQ - National Vocational Qualification More info
O
OASys - Offender Assessment System More info
The Offender Assessment System, is a standardised process for the assessment of prisoners and released prisoners that has been developed jointly by the National Probation Service (NPS) and the Prison Service.
OASys is covered by PSO2205.
Click Here for more information from the Probation Service.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about OASys
OBP - Offending Behaviour Programme More info
A course which addresses why a person committed an offence and tries to reduce the risk of them doing it again. OBPs should be accredited.
Click Here for information about Offending Behaviour Programmes.
OCA - Observation, Classification and Allocation More info
OCA units determine the categorisation and allocation of prisoners after sentencing.
See PSO0900 for more information about the categorisation and allocation of prisoners.
Offences More info
Below is a list of common offences. Each one links to sentencing information on the relevant page of the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) website. Whilst this information is primarily designed for advocates it also provides useful information for those charged with, or convicted of, those sentences: it includes; Aggravating & Mitigating Factors, Relevant Sentencing Guidelines, and information about Relevant Sentencing Case Law.
Administration of Justice Offences
Contempt of Court (S14 Contempt of Court Act 1981)
Escape (common law)
Perjury (S1 Perjury Act 1911)
Perverting the course of justice (common law)
Witness intimidation (S51 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994)
Criminal Damage Offences
Criminal Damage Act
Arson - simple
Arson - reckless as to whether life endangered
Arson - with intent to endanger life
Damage - simple
Damage with intent or being reckless to endanger life
Possession with intent to damage
Computer Misuse Act
Unauthorised access to computer material
Unauthorised access to a computer with intent to commit an offence
Unauthorised modification of computer material
Malicious Damage Act
Placing wood etc on a railway
Obstructing engines on a railway
Drugs Offences
Allowing premises to be used for drug related activities
Explosives Offensives
Communicating a bomb hoax
Explosive Substances Act S2: Causing explosion likely to endanger life or property
Explosive Substances Act S3: Attempt to cause explosion or conspiracy to cause explosion or making or keeping explosive with intent to endanger life or property
Explosive Substances Act S4: Making or possessing explosives
Financial Crime Offences
Bribery (common law)
Conspiracy to defraud (common law)
Destroying, defacing or concealing a valuable security (S20(1) Theft Act 1968)
Dishonestly retaining a wrongful credit (S24A Theft Act 1968)
Evading liability by deception (S2 Theft Act 1978)
False accounting (S17 Theft Act 1968)
Fraud by abuse of position (S4 Fraud Act 2006)
Fraud by failing to disclose information (S3 Fraud Act 2006)
Fraud by false representation (S2 Fraud Act 2006)
Fraudulent trading (S993 Companies Act 2006)
Making or supplying article for use in fraud (S7 Fraud Act 2006)
Misleading statements and practices (S397 Financial Services and Markets Act 2000)
Obtaining a money transfer by deception (S15A Theft Act 1968)
Obtaining execution of a valuable security by deception (S20(2) Theft Act 1968)
Obtaining property by deception (S15 Theft Act 1968)
Obtaining services by deception (S1 Theft Act 1978)
Obtaining services dishonestly (S11 Fraud Act 2006)
Participating in a fraudulent business carried on by a sole trader (S9 Fraud Act 2006)
Possession of articles for use in fraud (S6 Fraud Act 2006)
Forgery Offences
Cheating at gaming
Conspiracy to defraud (common law)
Custody or control of a false instrument
Custody or control of a false instrument with intent
Custody or control of equipment
Custody or control of equipment with intent
Destruction/falsification of registers
Falsifying Certificate of Service
Forgery or falsification of Mental Health Act documents
Forgery or falsification of proof marks
Fraud by false representation (S2 Fraud Act 2006)
Making false identity documents with intent
Making a false statement to obtain a passport
Making false entries in a copy of a register
Making or supplying articles for use in a fraud
Obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception (S16 Theft Act 1968)
Obtaining services dishonestly
Personation for the purposes of bail
Possession of false identity documents
Possession of articles for use in a fraud
Possession of false identity documents with intent
Pretending to act under authority of Court
Using a copy of a false instrument
Wilful injury or forgery of instruments
Homicide
Conspiracy to murder
Manslaughter - Diminished responsibility
Manslaughter - Provocation
Manslaughter - Suicide pact
Offences against the person
Assault ocassioning actual bodily harm
Assault with intent to resist arrest
Kidnapping - false imprisonment
Racially or religiously aggravated wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm
Racially or religiously aggravated actual bodily harm
Racially or religiously aggravated common assault
Racially or religiously aggravated harassment
Wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm
Wounding or inflciting grievous bodily harm with intent
Offensive weapons
Bladed article
Offensive weapons - Firearms
Section 1 Firearms Act 1968
Section 22(2) Firearms Act 1968
Section 23(4) Firearms Act 1968
Section 23(1) Firearms Act 1968
Section 24(1) Firearms Act 1968
Section 24(2) Firearms Act 1968
Section 24(3) Firearms Act 1968
Section 24(4) Firearms Act 1968
Section 28 Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006
Section 36 Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006
Public morals
Bigamy (S57 Offences against the Person Act 1861)
Public nuisance
Bigamy
Public order
Affray
Revenue Offences
Conduct amounting to an Offence
False statement for VAT purposes
Fraud, False Accounting, Fraudulent evasion of VAT, False statement for VAT purposes,
Fraudulent Conduct to Obtain Tax Credits
Fraudulent Evasion of Income Tax
Road traffic offences
Causing death by driving unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured
Death by careless driving under the influence
Death by careless or inconsiderate driving
Sexual offences
S1. Rape
S2. Sexual assault by penetration
S6. Assault of a child under 13 by penetration
S7. Sexual assault of a child under 13
S8. Causing or Inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
S9 and S13 Sexual Activity with a child - youth
S9. Sexual activity with a child
S10 and 13. Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity - youth
S10. Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
S11 and 13. Engaging in sexual activity in presence of child - youth
S11. Engaging in sexual activity in presence of child
S12 and 13. Causing child to watch sexual act - youth
S12. Causing child to watch sexual act
S14. Arranging child sex offence
Theft
Fraud Act
S2 Fraud by false representation
S3 Fraud by failing to disclose
S4 Fraud by abuse of position
S11 Obtaining services dishonestly
Theft Act
S1 Theft - general
S1 Theft - breach of trust
S1 Obtaining services by deception
S2 Evading liability by deception
S8(2) Assault with intent to rob
S9 Burglary - dwelling
S9 Burglary - non-dwelling
S12A(2)(a) or (b) Aggravated vehicle taking - dangerous driving/death/injury
S12A(2)(c) or (d) Aggravated vechile taking - damage to property
S15 Obtaining by deception - benefit fraud
S15 Obtaining by deception - cheques
S15 Obtaining by deception - cloned cards
S15 Obtaining by deception - commercial
S15 Obtaining by deception - false works
S15 Obtaining by deception - general
S15 Obtaining by deception - insurance
S15 Obtaining by deception - mortgage fraud
S15 Obtaining by deception - property
S2 1(1) Blackmail - commercial
S21(1) Blackmail - debt enforcement
S21(1) Blackmail - sexual
Social Security Administration Act
S111A and S112 False representation to obtain benefit
Offences by Prisoners More info
An offence committed in prison by a serving prisoner may be dealt with:
by the prison governor, using the prison's internal disciplinary procedure;
or by a police investigation, which may lead to a prosecution.
The decision whether to call the police to investigate is made by the prison governor using guidelines provided by the Home Office and depends on the nature and seriousness of the alleged offence.
Where a governor decides to investigate, he should still lay a disciplinary charge within 48 hours of discovery of the alleged offence, and the hearing should then be adjourned pending the police enquiry and CPS decision.
If the victim requires that the matter be referred to the police, the governor should accede to that request.
Clear evidence of racial motivation will strengthen the case for referral to the police.
Click Here for more information
OFSTED - Office for Standards in Education More info
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They regulate and inspect to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages, including prison education.
They report to Parliament. They are independent and impartial.
Ofsted:
Promote service improvement
Ensure services focus on the interests of their users
See that services are efficient, effective and promote value for money.
They carry out hundreds of inspections and regulatory visits each week, publishing their findings within the Inspection reports area of their website. You can find links for each prison under the 'Education' section of 'Regimes'.
Click Here for their website
Ombudsman More info
See: Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
Op Cap - Operational Capacity More info
The total number of prisoners an establishment can hold without serious risk to good order, security and proper running of the planned regime. Average Op Cap is around 98%.
Click Here for more information.
Oral Hearing More info
A parole or lifer hearing where all the evidence is heard, usually before a judge, and the prisoner can make oral submissions, rather than the usual paper version.
Click Here for more information.
Click Here to download THE PAROLE BOARD (AMENDMENT) RULES 2009
Click Here to download the Prison Reform Trust's 'Parole Information Book'.
Click Here to download a Probation Circular about Oral Hearings.
OU - Open University More info
The OU was set up to offer the benefits of higher education to all, not just those who already have paper qualifications. Over the past 40 years the OU has changed the lives
of more than two million people, bringing them new knowledge, skills, interests and inspiration and helping them to achieve new goals. This includes thousands of students in prisons and other secure environments. The OU is Europe’s largest academic community, with more than 200,000 students taking courses every year.
What can you study with the OU?
OU students have access to a wide range of educational opportunities, from short introductory courses to longer, broader courses leading to degrees and other recognised qualifications. Many of these courses can be studied by people in prison or other secure environments, and many do not call for any prior knowledge of the subject – but you will normally be expected to show that you can study successfully at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 2 or above, or its equivalent. Your education department can tell you more about entry levels and the courses which may be available to you, subject to your particular circumstances.
What OU students have achieved
OU students in prison have been taking and passing OU courses for many years. They include people from all backgrounds, many of whom have had negative experiences of education in the past. Their OU studies have not only given them something constructive and worthwhile to do during their sentence but also helped them to gain confidence and belief in their own abilities. For some, taking OU courses has been an end in itself; for others it has provided opportunities for a new start after release.
Where do I start?
The idea of university-level study can be quite daunting if you have not studied at this level before, or not studied for many years. For this reason, most OU students in prison start with an introductory Openings course – see page 8. These courses are designed to give you a gentle introduction to higher education and to help develop your study skills so that you can go on to higher-level study by taking a longer, broader course. Most longer, broader courses last nine months; some language courses are longer and business courses are typically six months.
Unlike other universities, the OU does not have entry requirements for most of its courses and you do not have to take tests to gain entry, but you will need to satisfy your education department that you are ready to take on OU study and that there are no security or public protection issues that would make a particular course of study inappropriate.
If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to start at a higher level than Openings and you may be able to count credit from previous study towards a qualification, but the final decision on where you can start rests with the Prison Governor (or their representative), who must approve all applications.
Click Here for Open University website section about OU in prisons
P
Pace - Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 More info
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and the PACE Codes of Practice provide the core framework of police powers and safeguards around stop and search, arrest, detention, investigation, identification and interviewing detainees.
Click Here for information about PACE codes.
Pact - The Prison Advice & Care Trust More info
This is an independent national charity working with prisoners and with prisoners’ families. Its mission is: To support prisoners and their families to make a fresh start and to minimise the harm that can be caused by imprisonment to prisoners, families and communities.
Page 16 More info
A daily record about a prisoner kept by prison officers, also called a 'History Sheet'.
PALS - Patients Advice and Liaison Service More info
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service, known as PALS, has been introduced to ensure that the NHS listens to patients, their relatives, carers and friends, and answers their questions and resolves their concerns as quickly as possible.
PALS will:
- Provide you with information about the NHS and help you with any other health-related enquiry
- Help resolve concerns or problems when you are using the NHS
- Provide information about the NHS complaints procedure and how to get independent help if you decide you may want to make a complaint
- Provide you with information and help introduce you to agencies and support groups outside the NHS
- Inform you about how you can get more involved in your own healthcare and the NHS locally
- Improve the NHS by listening to your concerns, suggestions and experiences and ensuring that people who design and manage services are aware of the issues you raise
- Provide an early warning system for NHS Trusts and monitoring bodies by identifying problems or gaps in services and reporting them.
Click Here for more information about PALS
Local PALS information is given for each prison in our 'Regimes' section or you can use our Address Finder to locate the PALS service for your local Health Authority.
Parenting Order More info
An order which can be made in certain circumstances where a child has been convicted of an offence which may require the parents of the child to comply with certain requirements including attendance of counselling or guidance sessions.
Parole More info
A system that allows prisoners to be released before their sentence is over. The parole board must approve their release.
Click Here for the Parole Board website
Click Here for information about Parole from the Prison Service
Click Here to download the Prison Reform Trust's 'Parole Information Book'.
InsideInformation have a number of special factsheets about Parole
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Parole
The following Factsheets are reproduced courtesy of the Parole Board
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about A Quick Guide to Parole
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Parole Information for Determinate Sentence Prisoners
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about A Quick Guide to Life & IPP Licence
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Licence Information for Indeterminate Sentence Prisoners
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Parole for Juveniles
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Parole for Children & Young People
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Recall to Prison
P-ASRO More info
An accredited Offending Behaviour Course. Prisoners Addressing Substance Related Offending - a 20 session programme delivered over a four to five week period.
Click Here for a link to Phoenix Futures who run P-ASRO courses.
PASS Card More info
A form of photographic ID card (produced by various companies) which is endorsed by the police and trading standards. Prisons are supposed to accept PASS cards as a form of photographic ID.
Click Here for the PASS website
Click Here for the Validate UK website
Click Here for the Citizen Card website.
PCR - Post Court Report More info
Contains general information about the prisoner and the judge’s comments. Normally accompanies a Juvenile to prison. Should be kept confidential.
PED - Parole Eligibility Date More info
The date on which a prisoner serving 4 years and over (and due to be released under the provisions of the CJA 1991) becomes eligible for parole. For prisoners sentenced on or after 1 October 1992 this will be at the half-way point; for prisoners sentenced before that date to 12 months or more this will be at the one-third point (or 6 months, whichever is later).
Click Here to download the Prison Reform Trust's 'Parole Information Book'.
Pension Credit More info
There are two different types of Pension Credit. Guarantee Credit is for those who have reached the minimum qualifying age. Savings Credit is for those aged 65 or over. Find out if you are entitled to Pension Credit and how and when to apply for this benefit.
Guarantee Credit
If you are living in Great Britain and have reached the minimum qualifying age, you may be entitled to the Guarantee Credit. This guarantees a minimum income by topping up your weekly income to:
£132.60 if you are single
£202.40 if you have a partner
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
The age from which you can get the Guarantee Credit – the qualifying age – is gradually increasing from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and 2020. To find out the age when you can apply for Pension Credit, you can use the State Pension age calculator.
While you must have reached the qualifying age, you can still claim if your partner is under the qualifying age. If you or your partner are both over the qualifiying age either one of you can apply.
‘Partner’ is used to refer to:
your husband
your wife
your civil partner
the person you live with as if they were your husband, wife or civil partner.
Age 65 or over - Savings Credit
If you are aged 65 or over and living in Great Britain you may be entitled to Savings Credit. You may get the Savings Credit on its own or with the Guarantee Credit. You may be entitled to Savings Credit if you:
are aged 65 or over
have made some provision towards your retirement such as savings or a second pension
If you have a partner, at least one of you must be 65 or over to get the Savings Credit.
The Savings Credit can be up to:
£20.52 a week if you are single
£27.09 a week if you have a partner
You may still get the Savings Credit even if the money you have coming in is up to about:
£184 a week if you are single
£270 a week if you have a partner
These amounts may be more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.
Get a Pension Credit estimate
Use the Pension Credit calculator to get a Pension Credit estimate. This online calculator is quick and easy to use and will tell you how much Pension Credit you might get. Click Here for the online calculator.
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
Click Here for more information
PER - Prisoner Escort Record More info
Contains relevant information for those escorting prisoners outside the establishment.
For more information please refer to PSO1025.
Personal Officer More info
A prison officer whose job it is to get to know the circumstances of a prisoner and assist with assessments and sentence planning.
Click Here for more information.
Pilates More info
Pilates is a gym routine which focuses on building a body's core strength and improving posture through a series of low repetition low impact stretching and conditioning exercises.
Click Here for the Pilates website.
PIN phone system More info
In prisons a prisoner has a telephone account into which he/she transfers money. A list of approved numbers is programmed into the telephone system and the prisoner has to type in a 4 digit PIN number to access them.
Click Here for information about phoning prisoners from the Prisoners' Families Helpline.
PND - Penalty Notice for Disorder More info
Penalty notices for disorder are issued for more serious offences, such as throwing fireworks or being drunk and disorderly. These notices can be issued to anyone over 16 years old.
They were introduced in 2001 to address low-level anti-social behaviour, while also reducing police bureaucracy and paperwork.
Offences where a notice might be issued
Examples of offences where a penalty notice for disorder may be issued include:
> intentionally harassing or scaring people
> being drunk and disorderly in public
> destroying or damaging property
> petty shoplifting
> selling alcohol to underage customers
> selling alcohol to somebody who is obviously drunk
> using fireworks after curfew
> Penalty notices are not the same as criminal convictions. However, failure to pay your fine may result in higher fines, or imprisonment.
PO - Principle Officer More info
The second level of management, above an SO (Senior Officer), wears 2 pips. Often is responsible for managing a complete wing or other area of responsibility.
POA - Prison Officers' Association More info
Police Detention Time More info
When calculating release dates the time spent in police custody is taken into account. Any amount of time on any one day in police custody counts as a whole day when calculating sentences. PSO6650 deals with sentence calculation.
Click Here for information about your rights whilst detained by police.
PPCU - Public Protection Casework Unit More info
The role of the PPCU is to assist the Probation Area as part of the Responsible Authority to manage offenders within their areas, as defined in the MAPPA legislation. The esponsible Authority, in relation to any area, means police, probation and prisons acting jointly.
The PPCU is able to act in an advisory capacity to Responsible Authorities in individual cases and can provide advice and support directly to areas on handling the most difficult and complex cases.
For more information see Probation Circular 19/2004b
Pre-Action Protocol More info
Statements of best practice about pre-action conduct which have been approved by the Head of Civil Justice and are listed in Practice Direction (Pre-Action Conduct).
Preparatory Hearing More info
A hearing forming part of the trial sometimes used in long and complex cases to settle various issues without requiring the jury to attend.
Primary Care More info
Care given to prisoners outside of hospital or in-patient facility.
Click Here to download a report about the future of prison healthcare.
Prison Rules More info
The Prison Rules lay down, in legislation, how a prison is run, how a prisoner is treated, and the conduct of staff and visitors. You can search the Prison Rules on our Rules and Regulations database.
Click Here to download the complete Prison Rules.
Prison Visitor More info
An ordinary member of the public who volunteers to visit and befriend prisoners during social visits. Normally organised by charities such as the New Bridge.
Click Here for information from the Prison Service
Click Here for The National Association of prison Visitor's website
Click Here for a link to The New Bridge.
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman More info
The PPO is supposed to be independent, and investigates complaints that have not been resolved by the internal complaints procedure: also investigates deaths in custody. Current Ombudsman is Stephen Shaw.
Click Here for the Prisons and Probation website.
Privilege Letter More info
A letter that a prisoner sends out for which he/she pays the postage. There is, generally, no limit on the number of these that can be sent. See PSO4411.
Privileges More info
Extra things a prisoner can have or do as a result of being promoted through the IEP system of Incentives and Earned Privileges. The Prison Rules lay down the minimum a prisoner can have; Privileges refer to extras above that: this may be such as; the wearing of his own clothing, extra visits, or more Association time. PSO4000 covers the IEP Scheme.
PRRD - Post Recall Release Date More info
The date on which prisoners who have been released on licence, and whose licences have been revoked, are released after serving a period of imprisonment for that revocation.
Click Here for information from the Probation Service.
Click Here for PSO6000 - the Prison Service Parole Manual.
PSI - Prison Service Instruction More info
These are short-term directions with a definite expiry date. You can search our PSI database in our Rules and Regulations section.
Click Here for a complete list of published PSIs.
PSO - Prison Service Order More info
These are additional instructions, rules and regulations published by the Prison Service. Many contain 'mandatory instructions' ie. instructions which governors have to obey. You can search our PSO database in our Rules and Regulations section.
Click Here for a complete list of PSOs.
PSO 4400 Chapter 1 More info
Child protection measures. If a prisoner is subject to PSO 4400 Chapter 1 there will be extra checks and restrictions on visits, telephone calls and correspondence. Currently Chapter 1 is not published.
PSR - Pre-Sentencing Report More info
A report prepared by the Probation Service, for the Court, usually before sentencing.
Pre-sentence report (PSR)/ Standard PSR – Pre-sentence reports are written reports prepared by Probation staff. PSRs provide information to the sentencing court about the offender and the offence(s) committed and they assist the court in deciding on a suitable sentence. They should provide a full risk assessment and a proposal for sentencing that takes into account the risk of harm, the likelihood of re-offending, the nature of the offence and the suitability of the offender.
Specific sentence report (SSR) - a shortened form of pre-sentence reports, usually provided on the same day by Probation staff. The report helps the sentencing court determine the offender's suitability for a specific sentence envisaged by the court. SSRs were introduced during 1999.
Fast Delivery PSR (written) – As Standard PSR, but normally completed on day of request and must be completed within 5 days. Full risk assessment not usually required.
Fast Delivery PSR (oral) – The Criminal Justice Act 2003 removed the requirement for all PSRs to be written. An oral PSR can be made when the court only requires a limited amount of information.
Deferred Sentence Reports – When a Court defers sentence to a future date and sets clear expectations for the offender’s progress, a Pre-Sentence Report (i.e. a deferred sentence report) will normally be required to detail how those expectations have been fulfilled and to assist the court in determining the appropriate sentence.
Court Review Reports – In certain circumstances a court at the time of passing a community order or suspended sentence order can determine that the sentence should be reviewed periodically and would require the responsible officer to present a report (i.e. a Review Report) on the offender’s progress and compliance.
Information courtesy of the Probation Service
Click Here to download information from the Probation Service.
PTLLS - Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector More info
PTLLS: Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
Level 3 is is the initial qualification required to teach in adult and further education. Students are taught how to identify learners’ needs, plan and deliver lessons, and how to assess learners’ progress. Practical teaching sessions are incorporated into the course.
It is a Level 3 course accredited by City and Guilds (Ref 7303) and available from various providers. A distance learning version is offered by the National Extension College (NEC) although prisons must still find a way of ensuring that learners can undertake a ‘microteaching’ session.
It has been successfully delivered in HMP Foston Hall, HMP Wellingborough, HMP Wandsworth and other prisons.
St Giles Trust offered an external PTTLS course for prisoners eligible for release on temporary licence (ROTL) from prisons in and close to London.
Click Here for more information
Purposeful Activity More info
This is structured activities such as working or education.
PVL - Prison Video Link More info
This is a system whereby prisoners can give evidence to court or have a consultation with their solicitor, probation or other agnecy from within the prison.
All prisons with video link facilities have at least one courtroom and two briefing rooms where the defendant can hold a conference with their solicitor before and, if required, after their court hearing.
If court hearings are not taking place it is possible for solicitors, barristers and Probation Officers to hold interviews with a defendant via video link to save having to visit the prison.
The facility is also available to assist the Parole Board in dealing with the rise in the number of oral hearings resulting from a House of Lords Judgment.
It should be noted however that court hearings take priority. At other times, operational reasons may mean bookings are refused or cancelled at short notice.
Prisons which currently have a PVL:
Altcourse, Ashfield, Bedford, Belmarsh, Birmingham, Blakenhurst, Brinsford, Bristol, Brixton, Brockhill, Bronzefield, Bullingdon, Cardiff, Castington, Chelmsford, Doncaster, Dorchester, Durham, Eastwood Park, Elmley, Exeter, Feltham, Forest bank, Glen Parva, Gloucester, High Down, Hindley, Holloway, Holme House, Hull, Lancaster Farms, Leeds, Leicester, Lewes, Lincoln, Liverpool, Long Lartin, Low Newton, Manchester, New Hall, Norwich, Nottingham, Parc, Parkhurst, Pentonville, Peterborough, Preston, Reading, Shrewsbury, Stoke Heath, Styal, Swansea, Wakefield, Wandsworth, Wetherby, Whitemoor, Winchester, Woodhill, Wormwood Scrubbs.
Magistrates' Courts which currently have PVL:
Aberystwyth, Accrington, Barnsley, Barnstaple, Barrow in Furness, Basildon, Basingstoke, Bedford, Bedlington, Beverley, Birkenhead, Birmingham, Birmingham Youth, Blackpool, Bodmin, Bootle, Bootle Youth, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brecon, Brent, Bridlington, Brighton, Bristol, Bromley, Caerphilly, Camberwell Green, Cambridge, Cannock, Carlisle, Chatham, Chester, Chesterfield, City of London, Coventry, Croydon, Cwmbran, Derby, Doncaster, Dudley, Ealing, Enfield, Exeter, Folkestone, Gateshead, Goole, Grantham, Great Yarmouth, Greenwich, Grimsby, Guildford, Halifax, Haringey, Harlow, Harrogate, Hartlepool, Harwich, Hastings, Haverfordwest, Haywards Heath, Hemel Hempstead, Hereford, Highbury Corner, Hillingdon/Uxbridge, Horseferry Road, Huddersfield, Hull, Ipswich, Leamington Spa, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, Liverpool Youth, Llandridnod Wells, Llandudno, Llanelli, Loughborough, Luton, Maidstone, Manchester, Manchester Youth, Middlesborough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Newham, Newport (Gwent), Newport (IOW), Newton Aycliffe, North Shields, Northampton, Norwich, Nuneaton, Oxford, Peterborough, Peterlee, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Prestatyn, Preston, Reading, Redbridge, Redhill, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Skegness, Slough, Solihull, South Shields, South Western, Southampton, Southend, St Albans, St Helens, Staines, Stevenage, Stoke, Stroud, Sudbury, Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Swindon, Tameside, Tamworth, Taunton, Telford, Thames, Torquay, Tower Bridge, Truro, Wakefield, Walsall, Waltham Forest, Warley, Warrington, Wellingborough, West London, Weymouth, Wigan, Wimbledon, Witham, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Workington, Worthing, Wrexham, York.
Crown Courts which currently have PVL:
Basildon, Birmingham, Blackfriars (London), Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Central Criminal Court (London), Inner London, Kingston, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Luton, Maidstone, Manchester - Crown Square, Newcastle, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Preston, Reading, Sheffield, Snaresbrook (London), Southampton, Southwark (London), St Albans, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, Teesside, Truro, Wolverhampton.
Note for Solicitors:
If you are using your own video conferencing equipment, you will need to make arrangements with the relevant prison. Martin Dawes PLC arranges conference calls. Capacity is limited and bookings are accepted on a first come first served basis.
Martin Dawes PLC can be contacted on 01305 752104.
Although Martin Dawes PLC is contracted for the service provision and maintenance of the prison video links, the administration and management of the system is the responsibility of Prisoner Escort & Custody Services (PECS), a unit within the Ministry of Justice. For general enquiries and advice about prison video links you can contact the Video Link Desk on 01536 27401. Lines are open between 9.00 am and 5pm Monday-Friday.
Contact details for prisons are given in the 'Official Visitis' section of our Visitors' Guide.
Crown Courts and Magistrates' Courts which have this facility are flagged within our Address Finder section. You can search for such courts using PVL as a search word, after selecting type of court and location.
PVO - Privilege Visiting Order More info
Visits which are extra to a prisoners rights (Statutory Visits). These are usually dependent on IEP level. They are valid for 28 days and can normally only be used on weekdays.
Click Here for information about visiting from the Prison Service.
Click Here for information about visiting from the Prisoners' Families Helpline.
Q
QC - Queen's Counsel More info
A limited number of senior Barristers are made Queen's Counsel as a mark of outstanding ability. They are normally instructed in very serious or complex cases. Most senior judges once practised as QCs.
Click Here to read about Barristers & QCs, from the Bar Council
QUANTUM More info
The name given to the Prison Service information technology system.
R
R & R - Reasoning and Rehabilitation More info
An offending behaviour programme similar to ETS and now generally replaced by it.
Click Here for more information.
RC - Remand Centre More info
An establishment where untried or un-sentenced prisoners under 21 are held.
RDR - Resettlement Day Release More info
A type of 'Release on Temporary Licence' (RoTL) designed to assist in a prisoner's resettlement.
Click Here for information from the Prisoners' Advice Service.
Receiver More info
A person appointed with certain powers in respect of the property and affairs of a person who has obtained such property in the course of criminal conduct and who has been convicted of an offence – there are various types or receiver (management receiver, director’s receiver, enforcement receiver).
Receivership Order More info
An order that a person’s assets be put into the hands of an official with certain powers and duties to deal with that property.
Reception More info
Reception is the series of standard procedures that apply to prisoners entering an establishment, both for the first time and each subsequent time thereafter. It is also the name of the section where prisoners arrive and depart.
PSO0500 deals with reception procedures.
Reception Pack More info
A Reception pack (sometimes called a Comfort Pack or a First Night Pack) containing items such as tea, milk, sugar, sweets, and (if requested, and for over 16s only) tobacco, issued to a prisoner during the Reception Process.
Recognisance More info
A recognisance is a bond or undertaking that persons normally enter into before a court or judge or magistrate. By entering into a recognisance, a person will bind himself or herself to do or refrain from doing a specific act or pledge a sum of money for the fulfilment of the bond or undertaking.
Referral Order More info
A Referral Order is given to a young person who pleads guilty to an offence when it is his/her first time in court.
The only exceptions are if the offence is so serious that the court decides a custodial sentence (Detention and Training Order or Section 90/91) is absolutely necessary, or the offence is relatively minor (i.e. a 'non-imprisonable’ offence such as a traffic offence or fare evasion), in which case an alternative such as a fine or an absolute discharge may be given.
When a young person is given a Referral Order, he/she is required to attend a youth offender panel, which is made up of two volunteers from the local community and panel adviser from a youth offending team (YOT). The panel, with the young person, their parents/carers and the victim (where appropriate), agree a contract lasting between three and 12 months. The aim of the contract is to repair the harm caused by the offence and address the causes of the offending behaviour.
The conviction is ‘spent’ once the contract has been successfully completed. This means that in most circumstances the offence will not have to be disclosed by the young person when applying for work.
Information from the Youth Justice Board
Registration of Religion More info
On being received into a Prison Service establishment, prisoners must be asked to state their religion and/or denomination, or to register as ‘Nil Religion’. Prisoners’ religion ise recorded on the prison computer system and F2050. Prison staff should ensure that this information is obtained accurately and respectfully.
Change of Religious Registration
A prisoner should notify his/her change of religious registration to the Governor in writing. The Chaplains or Ministers of both the religion originally declared and the new religious affiliation must be informed within seven days of such a change. The prison computer information system and the prisoner’s F2050 ise updated to reflect the change. The prisoner must be informed in writing that the documentation has been amended.
Services and Religious Practices
A prisoner must be treated as belonging to the religion entered on the prison computer system and on their F2050 and should have the right to practise this religion.
See PSO4550 for more information about faith in prison.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 More info
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 gives people with spent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings the right not to disclose them when applying for most jobs. The conviction is then known as ‘spent’.
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the time it takes for an offence to become ‘spent’ depends on the sentence given – not the offence committed.
Below is a guide to the periods before a conviction becomes ‘spent’. Some of these sentences have now been abolished. The list is intended as a guide only. A solicitor should be consulted to determine whether or not a conviction must be disclosed.
Absolute discharge order :6 months
Action plan order:2½ years
Attendance centre order:1 year after order expires
Bind over :1 year or until order expires, whichever is longer
Care order:1 year or until order expires, whichever is longer
Caution (conditional) :3 months
Caution (simple) :Nil (spent instantly)
Combination order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Community order :5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Community punishment order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Community punishment and rehabilitation order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Community rehabilitation order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Community service order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Compensation order :Once the compensation is paid in full
Conditional discharge order :1 year or until order expires, whichever is longer
Confiscation order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Curfew order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Detention and training order, 6 months or less :1 year after order expires for 12-14 year olds; 3½ years for 15-17 year olds
Detention and training order, more than 6 months :1 year after order expires for 12-14 year olds; 5 years for 15-17 year olds
Detention centre order:3 years
Detention in a YOI, 6 months or less:7 years; 3½ years if under 18 when convicted
Detention in a YOI, more than 6 months:10 years; 5 years if under 18 when convicted
Drug treatment and testing order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Endorsements:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Final warning :Nil (spent instantly)
Fine:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Forfeiture order:5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Hospital order, with or without a restriction order:5 years or 2 years after order expires, whichever is longer
Prison sentence, 6 months or less :7 years
Prison sentence, more than 6 months :10 years
Probation order (before 3 February 1995) :1 year or until order expires, whichever is longer
Probation order (on or after 3 February 1995) :5 years; 2½ years if under 18 when convicted
Referral order :Once the order expires
Reparation order :2½ years
Reprimand :Nil (spent instantly)
Secure training order:1 year after order expires
Supervision order:1 year or until order expires, whichever is longer
Suspended sentence, 6 months or less :7 years
Suspended sentence, more than 6 months :10 years
Youth conditional caution:3 months
Youth custody order, 6 months or less:7 years; 3½ years if under 18 when convicted
Youth custody order, more than 6 months:10 years; 5 years if under 18 when convicted
Youth rehabilitation order:1 year or until order expires, whichever is longer
Click Here for more information
Click Here for NACRO Guides
Relevant Period More info
This is the time a prisoner spent in police custody, on remand or otherwise deprived of their liberty prior to sentencing and must be counted as part of the time served.
PSO6650 deals with sentence calculation.
Religion Card More info
The Religion Card sets out recognised universal symbols representing major world faiths together with a single instruction translated into over 40 languages. Use of the card should ensure that all prisoners, particularly those who do not understand English, are able to identify their faith to reception staff, thereby enabling the Prison Service to meet their faith needs. It will also help ensure that more accurate information about the faiths of prisoners is available.
The card has been developed in consultation with the Advisory Group on Religion in Prisons.
When interviewing a new prisoner on reception, the Reception Officer should hand the card to any prisoner who has difficulty in understanding English, at the point when their faith or religious denomination needs to be recorded. The Reception Officer should then record the religion corresponding to the sign indicated by the prisoner.
The following faiths are identified on the card:
Bahai
Buddhism
Chinese
Christianity
Hinduism
Jainism
Judaism
Islam
Sikhism
Zoroastrian (Parsee)
In addition there is a symbol representing Nil Religion for those prisoners who do not wish to declare a religion
PSO 4450 deals with religious issues.
Religious Artefacts More info
Paragraph 1.45 of Chapter One of PSO 4550 (Religion), states that: Prisoners must be allowed in possession or access to such artefacts and texts as are required by their religion. Details of the specific items are set out in the individual faith annexes to Chapter One. PSI2007-28 provides the following list:
BUDDHISM
• Buddha Image (available from Angulimala)
• Incense and holder
• Prayer Beads
• Books and Literature
• Meditation stool
CHRISTIANITY
• Holy Bible
• Rosary Beads
• Ornamental cross or crucifix
• Holy pictures
• Small icon (statue of Jesus or Mary)
• Prayer books/devotional reading
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMONS)
Members do not need any religious artefacts to practice the religion except the four standard works of scripture for study,
• The Bible (King James Version is preferred)
• The Book of Mormon
• The Doctrine and Covenants
• ?????The Pearl of Great Price
HINDUISM
• Mara - Prayer beads - (comprising of 132 small beads)
• Murti - a statue, from 2 inches in height, made of either metal, wood, glass, stone or marble or alternatively an image or photograph, of the God Krishna or other Gods.
• Incense sticks and holder – incense is normally burned during prayer
• Small bell – used when beginning and ending prayer rituals
• Gita – Holy Book
ISLAM
• The Qu’ran and other religious books
• Clear plastic pouch for storage of Qu’ran
• Prayer mat
• Small piece of clay from Karbala (Iraq) for head rest, used during prayer, for Shi’a Muslims only
• Prayer beads - Tasbee
• Skull cap or turban
• Scarf and loose clothing to wear during and after prayers – for female Muslim prisoners
• Miswak/ Salvak stick (small toothbrush size twig for dental and religious benefits)
• Plastic jug - for personal hygiene
• Alarm clock – to be used to awaken for prayer before dawn and Ramadhan
• Pendant, which has, extracts from the Qu’ran or name of Allah (God)
• Musk or Itar – non alcohol perfume in small plastic bottle
JUDAISM
• Torah and copies of the prayer Books (Siddur)
• Prayer cap (yarmulkah or kippah)
• Prayer Shawl (talith)
• Tephillin (Phylacteries): two strap-on leather boxes enclosing parchment sections of the scriptures, which are worn by male orthodox Jews on the forehead and left arm.
• Tzitzit (four cornered garment with fringes attached)
PAGANISM
• Incense and holder (Lavender and Frankincense are most commonly used)
• A religious piece of jewellery (e.g. pentagram necklace or ring)
• Hoodless Robe (only to be used during private or corporate worship)
• Flexible twig for wand
• Rune stones (wood, stone or clay tablets with the symbols of the Norse-German alphabet) and bag or box to carry them
• Chalice (cup)
• An altar (ie desk, small table, box or similar) - can be set up, space and local discretion permitting.
• Tarot Cards (risk assessment required before being allowed in possession – details set out in paragraph para 8.3 of Annex H to chapter 1 of PSO 4550, and reproduced below).
Remand Warrant More info
This is the official authorisation a prison needs to keep a person in custody. It is the prison governor's responsibility to ensure all warrants are current and valid.
Click Here for a link to NACRO's 'Youth Crime Briefing'.
Remedial Gym More info
These are special sessions, often for older prisoners, who are either very unfit or who have been referred from healthcare. The sessions are specially planned and supervised by staff.
Reparation Order More info
An order made against a child or young person who has been convicted of an offence, requiring him or her to make specific reparations to the victim or to the community at large.
Repatriation More info
In some circumstances, foreign national prisoners may be able to apply to serve the rest of their sentence in their own country. This is known as repatriation. For repatriation to be considered, there must be an international agreement between the UK and the country they wish to return to, although even if such an agreement is in place, it does not give them an automatic right to repatriation - either country may decide to reject their request. If the country they are applying to be repatriated to refuses their request, they do not need to give any reasons for refusing. However, if the UK government refuses their request, it will provide them with reasons for its decision.
As a minimum, the following conditions must be met to enable them to be repatriated:
1. They must have at least six months of their sentence remaining, before applying for repatriation.
2. They must be a citizen of the country they want to be repatriated to.
3. They must not have any appeals against their sentence outstanding.
4. The offence for which they have been convicted must also be an offence in the country they wish to be repatriated to.
5. Both the UK government and the government of the country they wish to be repatriated to must agree to their repatriation.
A prisoner wanting to be repatriated will need to fill in a Request/Complaints orm which will be processed at Prison Service HQ. There may be some delay before the prisoner hears the result, as the required checks must be made.
Countries with which the UK has signed agreements with are:
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guyana , Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Samoa, Serbia & Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
Reporting Restrictions More info
Section 46 of the YJCEA enables courts to make a reporting direction in relation to adult witnesses which prohibits any matter relating to the witness to be included in any publication during the lifetime of the witness if it is likely to lead members of the public to identify the individual as a witness in criminal proceedings.
If a reporting direction is made by the court then the following should be excluded from any report if it is likely to lead to the witness's identification:
the witness's name
the witness's address
the identity of any educational establishment attended by the witness
the identity of any place of work;
any still or moving picture of the witness
Click Here for more information
Representation Order More info
An order authorising payment of legal aid for a defendant.
Requisition More info
A document, issued under section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, requiring a person to appear before a Magistrates’ Court to answer a written charge.
Reserved Subjects More info
The following are known as Reserved Subjects and complaints about them cannot be considered internally in the prison. Prisoners should still use a COMP1 form but it will be sent to Prison Service Headquarters, or in the case of parole, the Parole Board. They should expect a reply within about six weeks.
Allegations against the governor
Approved visitors
Category A prisoners categorisation
Change of name
Early release on compassionate grounds
Litigation against the Prison Service
Marriage
Mother and Baby unit placement appeals
Parole
Repatriation
Requests for artificial insemination
Section 90/91 juvenile allocations
Special remission
Transfer and allocation
Transfer to other parts of the UK
Click Here for a link to the Prisoners' Advice Service, information about complaints
Resettlement More info
Process of preparing an inmate for release. May include Job Clubs, town visits etc.
Resettlement is covered by PSO2300.
Click Here for further information from the Prison Service.
Click Here for a link to the NACRO website.
RESPOND More info
Racial Equality for Staff and Prisoners Programme.
Click Here to download a copy of the Prison Service's Race Review.
Respondent More info
The other party (to the appellant) in a case which is the subject of an appeal.
Restraint Order More info
An order prohibiting a person from dealing with any realisable property held by them.
Restrictive Intervention More info
As distinct from constructive interventions. A restrictive intervention is where the primary purpose is to keep to a minimum the ex-prisoner's risk of harm to others. In the language of offender management this is work to achieve the ‘control’ purpose, as distinct from the ‘help’ and ‘change’ purposes. Example: with a sex offender, a constructive intervention might be to put them through an accredited sex offender programme; a restrictive intervention (to minimise their Risk of Harm) might be to monitor regularly and
meticulously their accommodation, their employment and the places they frequent, imposing and enforcing clear restrictions as appropriate to each case. The sex offender programme will hopefully have some impact on the ex-prisoner’s risk of harm in the
long-term, but its primary purpose is to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. (HM Inspectorate of Probation).
Revocation Order More info
A form issued when a prisoner's parole or life licence has been revoked by the Secretary of State or the Parole Board, and authorises their further detention.
RLED – Resettlement Licence Eligibility Date More info
Third of way through sentence.
RoH - Risk of Harm to Others More info
This is the term generally used by Probation to describe probation work to protect the public; particularly by released/licence prisoners. The 'risk' is measured in relation to children, other adults and staff.
ROR - Resettlement Overnight Release More info
A type of Release on Temporary Licence (RoTL) designed to assist a prisoner with his or her resettlement.
Click Here for more information from the Prisoners' Advice Service.
ROTL - Release on Temporary Licence More info
The system whereby suitable prisoners are released for precisely defined and specific activities. PSO6300 covers release on temporary licence.
Click Here for information from the Prisoners' Advice Service.
RRLO - Race Relations Liaison Officer More info
A designated prison officer who deals with race relations issues.
Rule 39 More info
This relates to Prison Rule 39 which protects the integrity of correspondence between a prisoner and his/her legal representatives and stops the prison opening such correspondence. See PSO4411.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet about Rule 39 and Confidential Access
Rule 45 More info
This relates to Prison Rule 45 which covers the segregation of prisoners for their own safety. Prisoners so protected are said to be 'on the rule' and choose to be so because of their convictions or problems in the main prison.
S
Safer Cell More info
Extract from PSO2700
1. Most prisoners who kill themselves in custody do so by hanging, usually tying a ligature to window bars. Other ligature points include doorframes, light fittings, and furniture. One aspect of the Safer Custody Group’s strategy for reducing self-inflicted deaths in custody has been the development of ‘safer’ cells, designed to be free of ligature points while at the same time providing a pleasant and ‘normalised’ environment for prisoners. Prototypes of safer (ligature-free) cells were constructed at HMP Belmarsh in 1997, followed by the construction of two 120-place wing units at HMP Swaleside. Since then a number of establishments have had safer cells installed and the design of safer cells has continued to evolve.
2. Previous research in non prison settings suggests that this approach to reducing suicide – through removing the ‘means to harm’ – is likely to be most useful when suicidal behaviour is an impulsive act, in response to particular events or circumstances (Mann 1998; Hawton et al 2001), such as the early shock of custody. However, people prevented from using one method of suicide may try and find another method (Gunnell et al 2000), so it is important to monitor possible ‘displacement’ effects as well.
3. In 2003 funding was provided by the Estate Planning Group of the Prison Service to evaluate the use of Safer Cells, in order to decide whether to introduce the latest Safer Cell design in all new prison accommodation. Researchers from the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science looked at six prisons (4 male, 1 female,1 YOI) which already had Safer Cells in place, representing different stages in the evolution of safer cell design. They interviewed approximately ten prisoners in each of the prisons, examined individual records of 10 prisoners in detail at each site, administered questionnaires to 100 prison staff, and conducted a focus group with staff at each prison.
4. It was very difficult to assess the contribution of safer cells to suicide prevention in these six prisons because they varied considerably in the way they used their safer cells. In particular some were using safer cells to house prisoners who were not judged to be at risk of suicide. In the women’s prison the safer cells tended to be used for violent and difficult prisoners, while one of the male prisons used a wing of safer cells to house prisoners on enhanced status. Another prison had safer cells throughout the Induction wing, whereas the staff at the YOI preferred to put new prisoners in shared cells rather than safer cells. Only one of the six prisons examined was built with all new safer cells, some of which were double cells.
5. Because of the relatively small number of suicides in the six prisons it was not possible to demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the rate of suicide following the introduction of safer cells. Nevertheless, 27 prisoners were interviewed who were considered to have been ‘at risk’ and had been located in Safer Cells. Of these 27, three (11%) said that they would have killed themselves by hanging if they had not been in a Safer Cell. One prisoner had tried to self-strangulate five times but was unable to kill himself. Some further support comes from the statistics for the four months from Dec 2002 to March 2003. There were 539 incidents involving hanging across prisons in England and Wales during that period, of which 35 resulted in death. None of the deaths occurred in Safer cells, but six hangings occurred in Safer cells that did not lead to death.
6. The researchers concluded that the latest generation of safer cell design appears to be effective in preventing some self-inflicted deaths by hanging, through reducing access to ligature points. Staff and prisoners agreed that Safer Cells alone could not prevent suicides and self-harm. The importance of good staff-prisoner relations, the Listener scheme, a ‘normalised’ environment, support from a cellmate and ongoing support from staff were all perceived as contributing to better management of self-harm and suicidal behaviour.
7. Safer Cells were not always popular with prisoners, although they were seen as making a valuable contribution to reducing deaths by hanging. Prisoners’ views of safer cells were affected by the age, maintenance and cleanliness of the cell. The major criticism of safer cells by prisoners was of poor ventilation, made worse by designs which removed personal control over ventilation. Prisoners reported feelings of anger and frustration as well as physical health problems as a result. Subsequent improvements to design have been introduced in new safer cells, using a larger ventilation device with a variable control fitting.
8. Women prisoners tended to say that, in order to reduce self-harm / suicides, they would prefer to share a cell with another prisoner rather than be located in a safer cell alone. (At the time of the research there were no double Safer Cells in that prison). However male prisoners located in double cells in one prison reported that this made the ventilation problems more acute. Issues of stigmatisation and isolation were raised by young offenders.
9. Ideally Safer Cell designs should become the norm for all new establishments, especially as they are made of robust materials and become cost-effective over time. If all cells are ‘safer’ the issue of stigmatisation are removed. When converting existing accommodation Safer Cells should be available for prisoners with a high risk of impulsive suicide, particularly young offenders and prisoners in the early days of custody (e.g. Reception / Induction). However, if Safer Cells are perceived as less desirable in some way than other cells, allocation to a safer cell may be perceived as a punishment. Conversely, if Safer Cells are ‘better’ than other accommodation they may be used inappropriately for low-risk prisoners.
10. The researchers emphasised the importance of ongoing monitoring of Safer Cells and redesign as appropriate. They note that, as currently designed, Safer Cells appear to make it very difficult for prisoners to use a ligature point to kill themselves. Nevertheless “prisoners can be very inventive and have time to consider options.” If there is a death by hanging in any Safer Cell then a rapid assessment needs to be made to determine whether the method used calls for a redesign of the cell
11. Some further information on safer cells comes from the evaluation of the Safer Locals programme (Liebling et al). Interviews with staff and prisoners suggested that safer cells were believed to be useful when used properly – to provide safety and support without stigmatisation. They were not helpful if used punitively (as a form of segregation) or to assert authority over prisoners. Ligature-free Listener Support Suites were much appreciated by prisoners in distress, as they combine safety with social support.
Safer Custody Officer More info
A prison officer responsible for co-ordinating anti-bullying efforts, the use of ACCT (2052SH), and suicide prevention.
Safer Custody Team Leader (SCTL) More info
Extract from PSO2700
The SCT leader is responsible for ensuring the local suicide prevention strategy is fully integrated and compatible with the local violence reduction strategy, that a self-harm management strategy is developed, and that all other local policies, procedures and strategies reflect the holistic nature of the wider safer custody strategy. Research has shown the correlation between prisoner fear of threat from others and suicide, and this needs to be reflected in the way local suicide prevention and violence reduction strategies marry up under one safer custody strategy.
Membership of the Safer Custody Team should reflect the NOMS multi-disciplinary approach to preventing suicide, managing self-harm and reducing violence, and include representatives from key areas of the prison and from a range of disciplines. Taking into account the flexible meeting requirements in the section below, at a minimum SCT membership ought to include:
· SCT leader, who will chair the meetings.
· Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator.
· Representative from the ACCT Trainers.
· Violence Reduction Co-ordinator.
· Representative from the ACCT Assessors team.
· Staff undertaking safer custody administrative support duties.
· Representative from Healthcare.
· Family Contact Officer (where appointed).
· Representative from the chaplaincy team (multi-faith).
· Representative from prisoner peer supporters (e.g. Listener – see below).
· Establishment Drugs Co-ordinator.
· Representative from Safeguarding (establishments holding young people only).
· Representative from the Equality Action Team (or equivalent).
· Representative from the Reception/First Night team(s).
· Representative from the Segregation (or equivalent unit) team.
· Representative from Borders and Immigration Agency (where numbers of foreign nationals are significant).
Samaritan Liaison Officers More info
Extract from PSO2700
The Samaritan Liaison Officer can:
· Facilitate Samaritan access to the prison.
· Act as co-ordinator for emergency Samaritan visits.
· Act as a contact point between Samaritans, staff and Listeners.
· Assist the local Samaritan branch in the preparation of Samaritan volunteers for prison visiting, including briefing on security requirements.
· Assist in the co-ordination of regular (preferably weekly at local prisons) Samaritan/Listener support meetings and training sessions.
· Assist with training staff concerning the roles of Samaritans and Listeners.
· Meet with Samaritans and Listeners (normally once a month) to update, give feedback, offer support, explore ideas and undertake administrative tasks.
· Assist in the selection of potential Listeners.
· Support the prisoner induction programme.
· Ensure Samaritans telephone number and publicity material is appropriately displayed.
SARN - Structured Assessment of Risk and Need More info
This is a form of assessment used for people convicted of sexual offences following attendance on a Offending Behaviour Programme.
Extract from Probation Circular PC17/2007
When programmes were introduced staff were trained to write end of programme reports as part of the programme training. This report format is now to be replaced with the Structured Assessment of Risk and Need (SARN) report.
The SARN report format was developed in the Prison Service to act as an evidence-based assessment of both progress in treatment and future treatment needs. The final SARN report contains information that is gathered throughout the treatment programme. It provides a summary of progress in treatment followed by an indication of remaining treatment needs to be addressed by offender managers. Areas should now prepare to move to a position where all end of programme reports for sex offender programmes are completed using the SARN format. Areas should also note the contents of PC09/2007 which advises that end of programme reports must be completed from April 2007 in order that cases can count as completions. For sex offender programmes SARN will count as the end of programme report for the purposes of PC09/2007 according to the timescales laid out below in the section on transitional arrangements.
Reproduced courtesy of the Home Office
SASU - Suicide Awareness Support Unit More info
A department at Prison Headquarters involved with suicide prevention. Members of the Suicide Awareness Support Unit visit establishments to provide support to those operating the Suicide Awareness Strategy.
Click Here for a Hansard Written Answer about suicides in prisons.
SCG - Safer Custody Group More info
A Prison Service initiative whose mission statement is ‘Preventing Suicides and making prisons safer for all who live and work there’. they are based at Prison Headquarters.
SDP - Short Duration Programme More info
A 4-week Drug User Programmes based on 'Cognitive Behaviour Therapy' and harm reduction for short-term prisoners.
Click Here for more information.
Click Here for a link to Phoenix Futures who run SDP courses.
SDS – Standard Determinate Sentence More info
The sentence to be imposed by the courts for offenders who are not assessed by the courts as ‘dangerous’ and are convicted of offences committed on or after 4 April 2005, and are sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more.
Click Here for more information from the Prison Service.
Click Here for further information on sentencing.
Secondary Care More info
Refers to a type of healthcare and is a specialist care typically provided in a hospital setting or following referral from a primary or community health professional.
Section 38 of the MCA 1980 More info
This covers circumstances where persons aged over the age of 18, who have been convicted at a Magistrates’ Court of an offence for which they can be tried at either a Magistrates or Crown Court, can be committed for sentence by the Crown Court.
Click Here for more information.
Section 90/91 More info
If a young person is convicted of an offence for which an adult could receive at least 14 years in custody, they may be sentenced under Section 90/91. This sentence can only be given in the Crown Court.
Section 90
If the conviction is for murder, the sentence falls under Section 90 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. Such sentences are termed “Detention at Her Majesty’s Pleasure” and a mandatory life sentence will apply. The sentencing court will set a minimum term (also known as the tariff) to be spent in custody, after which the young person can apply to the Parole Board for release. The Secretary of State’s directions to the Parole Board (issued August 2004) set out the assessment criteria for the release of those serving a life sentence. Once released, the young person will be subject to a supervisory licence for an indefinite period.
Section 91
If a young person is convicted of an offence for which an adult could receive at least 14 years in custody, they may be sentenced under Section 91 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. The length of the sentence can be anywhere up to the adult maximum for the same offence, which for certain offences may be life.
A young person given a Section 91 sentence will be placed in custody. The young person will be released automatically at the halfway point and could be released up to a maximum of 135 days early on the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme, but only if they meet the eligibility criteria for the scheme and pass a risk assessment (authorised by the Governor for those in a young offender institution or the YJB Caseworker for those in secure training centres or secure children's homes). Once released, the young person will be subject to:
> a supervisory licence until their sentence expires, if the sentence is 12 months or more
> a Notice of Supervision for a minimum of three months, if their sentence if less than 12 months.
Information from the Youth Justice Board
A part of the sentencing of young people convicted of serious offences. Please refer to PSO4960.
Secure Children's Homes More info
Secure children's homes are generally used to accommodate young offenders aged 12 to 14, girls up to the age of 16, and 15 to 16-year-old boys who are assessed as vulnerable.
Secure children's homes focus on attending to the physical, emotional and behavioural needs of the young people they accommodate. They are run by local authority social services departments, overseen by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills.
Click Here for more information
Securities More info
Under section 3(5) of the Bail Act, as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, a bailed person may be required to give security for their surrender to custody. Security is usually cash, travellers’ cheques or any other article of value which could be held without difficulty and converted to pounds sterling in the event of forfeiture or failure to surrender to custody.
SED - Sentence Expiry Date More info
The date on which a prisoner’s sentence is completed. The prisoner will have no further liability, except that young offenders must complete at least 3 months under supervision unless they reach their 22nd birthday first.
Click Here for information from the Prisoners' Families Helpline.
Click Here for our InsideInformation Factsheet on LED/SED
Segregation More info
Sometimes referred to as ‘Seg’, a unit within the establishment that contains prisoners who are segregated from the normal population. This segregation may be because of disciplinary punishment, GOOD, or for the prisoner’s own protection. PSO1700 deals with segregation.
Click Here for information about segregation under the YOI Rules.
Sentence Plan More info
An annual assessment of what a prisoner needs to do in the forthcoming year.
PSO4700 - Lifer Manual - Chapter 8 deals with Lifer Sentence Planning
Click Here for Sentence Plan information for Northern Ireland
Click Here for Sentence Planning for IPP Prisoners (Prisoners' Advice Service).
Sentence Warrant More info
The Sentence Warrant (F5035 in Crown Court; F43 or F44 in Magistrates’ Court) is the original warrant issued by the sentencing court which authorises detention.
Set Aside More info
Cancelling a judgment or order or a step taken by a party in the proceedings.
Short Term Prisoner More info
A prisoner with a sentence of 18 months or less.
Click Here to download a Home Office report about resettlement for short term prisoners.
Single Term More info
For the purposes of calculating release dates most determinate sentences, to which a prisoner is subject at any one time, must be combined and treated as a ‘single term’. The circumstances in which sentences are to be treated as a single term were clarified by an amendment to the 1991 Act in 1998.
Skeleton Argument More info
A document prepared by a party, or their legal representative, setting out the basis of the party’s argument; including any arguments based on law – the court may require such documents to be served on the court and on the other party prior to a trial.
SMARG - Segregation Monitoring and Review Group More info
THis is a group who are required to act in response to areas of concern with segreagtion and segregation units; such as the segregation unit not meeting the PSO/review board timetable or disproportionate use of segregation.
This is covered in PSI 26/2009 which is an update to PSO1700
SO - Senior Officer More info
The first level of management. Wears a single pip. Often manages small units within a prison or is part of a team which run a wing.
SO - Standing Order More info
An old system by which the Prison Service relayed rules and instructions. All SOs have now been superseded and should no longer be quoted.
Click Here for a list of the old Standing Orders.
SOCA - Serious Organised Crime Agency More info
SOCA is an intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers and harm education responsibilities. Harm in this context is the damage caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.
Click Here for the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005
Click Here for the SOCA website.
SORI - Supporting Offenders through Restoration Inside More info
A programme of courses of restorative justice developed over the past 5 years; initially piloted at HMP Bristol and now being piloted and evaluated in 6 other prisons across England.
Click Here for a presentation about SORI produced by HMP Cardiff.
SOTP - Sex Offender Treatment Programme More info
A range of Offending Behaviour Courses aimed at prisoners convicted of crimes with a sexual element. There are various levels; Core, Extended, Booster, and a special Adapted Course for those with literacy or learning difficulties.
Click Here for information on SOTP courses from the Prison Service
Click Here for an evaluation of SOTP by the Home Office
Click Here for information about SOTP from the Probation Service
Click Here for an evaluation of SOTP from the Internet Journal of Criminology.
Special Letter More info
A special letter is one that is not counted against a prisoner's allocation of statutory or privilege letters and which he/she is given permission to send for some special reason. Postage is paid for by the prison. See PSO4411.
Special Measures More info
Measures which can be put in place to provide protection and/or anonymity to a witness (e.g. a screen separating witness from the accused).
Spends More info
A prisoner has two prison money accounts - 'Private Cash' and 'Spends'. A prisoner is free to spend any money in his or her 'Spends' account whilst access to 'Private Cash' is limited according to IEP status.
PSO7500 - Chapter 18 deals with prisoners finances.
SROBP - Substance Related Offending Behaviour Programme More info
SROBP targets all substance misuse including drugs, alcohol, prescribed medication and poly-substance misuse as long as it is related to offending behaviour. It is a rolling programme which means that at any one time there are participants at the start, middle and end of the programme and as one participant finishes and rolls out, another will start and roll in. The programme has essential modules completed by participants and those help identify which optional modules the individual will do relative to their needs.
Standard More info
STAR - Stop, Think, Act, Reflect More info
An accredited Offending Behaviour Programme.
Statutory Declaration More info
A declaration made before a Commissioner for Oaths in a prescribed form.
Statutory Letter More info
A statutory letter is one that a prisoner is entitled to under Prison Rule 35 or Young Offender Institution Rule 10. Convicted prisoners are entitled to send one a week; un-convicted, two per week. The envelope and paper is provided and the 2nd class postage is paid for by the prison. They cannot be withdrawn. See PSO4411.
STC - Secure Training Centre More info
Secure Training Centres (STCs) are purpose-built centres for young offenders up to the age of 17. They are run by private operators according to Home Office contracts, which set out detailed operational requirements. There are now four STCs in England: Oakhill in Milton Keynes, Hassockfield in County Durham, Rainsbrook in Rugby, Medway in Kent.
Click Here for more information.
StHA - Strategic Health Authority More info
These manage the Health Trust who provide healthcare within prisons.
STO - Secure Training Order More info
A punishment for young people which was abolished in 2000.
STOP - Substance Treatment & Offending Programme More info
An Offending Behaviour Course for people whose offending and drug abuse are linked.
Click Here for a link to Phoenix Futures who run STOP courses.
Stop and Search More info
Stop and search powers allow the police to combat street crime and anti-social behaviour, and prevent more serious crimes.
What happens if you are stopped and searched?
If you are stopped you’ll first be asked where you’re going and what you’ve been doing. The police may then decide to search you but only if they have a good reason, for example, that you fit the profile of a criminal seen in the area, or they think you’re acting suspiciously.
Some facts about stop and search:
> the search will take place on the street
> if the officer asks you to remove more than your coat and gloves, or anything you wear for religious reasons, they must take you somewhere out of public view
> you’ll be asked to turn out your pockets and show the officers the contents of your bag
> they can also search your vehicle, even if you aren’t present, but they must leave a notice to say what they’ve done
> if you’re carrying something illegal, such as a weapon, or the police believe you’ve committed a crime, you may be arrested
> if they don’t find anything, your details will be recorded for monitoring purposes, and you’ll be allowed to go
Click Here for more information
Strike Out More info
Striking out means the court orderis written material to be deleted so that it may no longer be relied upon.
Suicide Prevention Co-ordinator (SPC) More info
Extract from PSO2700
The role of the SPC is to co-ordinate the response to suicide prevention and self-harm management issues, and ensure the resulting strategy and procedures are reflected in all practices across the establishment. The SPC can provide advice and assistance on current initiatives and their introduction at establishment level. The SPC can monitor an establishment’s compliance with safer custody strategies and the quality of management ACCT checks, and highlight good and deficient practices in establishment procedures. A full Job Specification is available on request from the ASCA.
SPCs can:
· Co-ordinate the effective implementation and day-to-day delivery of the suicide prevention and self-harm management policies in the establishment.
· Support Case Managers at ACCT case reviews.
· Promote the Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm Management and Violence Reduction Standards.
· Monitor and evaluate safer custody procedures.
· Compile monthly statistical reports.
· Use accumulated monthly data to issue an annual report. This report can also give an overview of the suicide prevention and self-harm management initiatives implemented at the establishment and commend staff where appropriate.
· Assist and support staff.
· Undertake the role of Samaritan Liaison Officer if appropriate (see proviso about this above in section on “Governors/Directors”).
· Support the ACCT Trainers.
· Attend SCT meetings and promote the development of local management strategies.
· Co-ordinate establishment initiatives and further the notion that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility
· Promote establishment good practice.
· Support the prisoner induction programme.
· Attend the Area Safer Custody Forum
· Provide support to other establishments as directed by the Area Manager.
· Undertake a quality check of all open and closed ACCT documentation. This includes checking (preferably on a weekly basis) the quality of management ACCT checks, and feeding back to the Governor and/or Safer Custody Team any identified concerns.
Suicide/Self Harm Warning Form More info
The Suicide/Self-Harm Warning Form is the form opened by escort staff when a prisoner is identified as at risk of suicide or self-harm. Staff in prisons continue to use ACCT when a prisoner is identified at risk in prison.
The Suicide/Self-Harm Warning form allows escort staff to raise their concerns, take action, and document the action taken for those prisoners they identify to be at risk of suicide or self-harm. Upon reception into prison the warning form is passed to the reception healthcare screener to inform his/her decision about the level of risk and whether or not to open an ACCT Plan (though if other reception staff have identified current risk before the reception screen – depending on local reception procedures – they may have already opened an ACCT Plan).
More information is contained within PSO2700
Summons More info
A document signed by a magistrate, after an information is laid before him, which sets out the basis of the accusation against the accused and the time and place when he must appear.
Supervision Order More info
An order placing a person who has been given a suspended sentence under the supervision of a local officer.
Supervision Tier More info
This is a risk measurement used by the Probation Service.
Supervision Tier indicates the level of intervention required with offenders, tier 1 being the lowest and tier 4 the highest.
The Offender Management Tiering framework is a way of categorising offenders according to the level of risk of serious harm and likelihood of reoffending presented by the individual, combined with the complexity of the sentence requirements.
This process aims to protect the public by ensuring that the appropriate organisational resources, in terms of staff and time, are matched to the correct management of the case.
Surities More info
A surety is a person who assumes legal responsibility for the fulfilment of another’s debt or obligation. If a person who is bailed fails to deliver on their promises, the surety becomes liable to pay to the Crown the sum of money pledged.
Suspended Sentence More info
A sentence which takes effect only if the person convicted commits another offence punishable with imprisonment within the specified period.
Suspended Sentence Order More info
A custodial sentence suspended for between 6 months and 2 years. The court must add at least one of the requirements from the set of options available for the Community Order, and these are supervised by the Probation Service.
T
Tertiary Care More info
Highly specialist care, for example Regional Secure Units (RSU) and
Special Hospitals along with some specialist types of healthcare, e.g. transplant surgery,
cancer care or specialist children’s services.
Therapeutic Community More info
Therapeutic communities provide treatment based on a social-learning approach and peer support.
Click Here for a definition from the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Click Here for a link to Kainos.
Toe by Toe More info
A scheme whereby prisoners help less literate prisoners to read and write. It was developed, and is run, by the Shannon Trust.
Click Here for a link to Toe by Toe.
Trainee More info
A resident in a Young Offenders' Institution. Now usually referred to as a 'young person'.
Travel Warrant More info
A Travel Warrant is a voucher to pay for travel from the station nearest to the prison to the station nearest to the released prisoner's home. The prison should also provide transport from the establishment to the nearest station.
TRIBAL More info
A company which works with the public sector to provide training.
Click Here for a link to their website.
TSP (Thinking Skills Programme) More info
This is an Offending Behaviour Programme which is replacing ETS in some prisons.
Click Here for more information (W. Yorks Probation Service).
TTRS (Touch-type, Read, Hear, Spell) More info
A specialist programme run in some prisons to give specialist help for those prisoners who have dyslexia.
Click Here for more information.
Type I Healthcare More info
Healthcare services provided only during normal hours (08:00 – 17:00).
Type II Healthcare More info
Healthcare services provided over an extended period (08:00 - 21:00).
Type III Healthcare More info
24 hour healthcare service provided.
U
UAL - Unlawfully at Large More info
A term which refers to prisoners who do not return from RoTL (Release on Temporary Licence) or who walk out of an open prison. It also refers to prisoners who have managed to escape.
V
VDT - Voluntary Drug Testing More info
A system whereby prisoners who want to remain off drugs agree to submit to regular testing. Some prisons have a special wing for people volunteering to be tested. Voluntary Testing is often a requirement for certain 'Trusty' jobs within prisons such as Wing Cleaners and kitchen workers.
PSO3620 deals with Voluntary Drug Testing.
Veganism More info
The following is an extract from PSO4450
[Appendix 3 added 23/07/07 in accordance with PSI 28/2007]
PRACTICE OF VEGANISM IN PRISON
Basic Beliefs
Veganism is not a religion but a philosophy whereby the use of an animal for food, clothing or any other purpose is regarded as wholly unacceptable.
The majority of Vegans reject entirely, anything which has its origins in the exploitation, suffering or death of any creature. An individual may lead a Vegan lifestyle for one particular reason or for a combination of reasons, and this may result in some Vegans being stricter than others in what they deem as acceptable and unacceptable. Vegan beliefs are followed by individuals within various faiths, to varying degrees, and by individuals of no faith.
Most Vegans will not involve themselves directly, or indirectly, in anything whereby their lifestyle and beliefs are compromised or violated, either for themselves or for others. Throughout their lives, Vegans will seek to sever all links with, and dependencies upon, the use or abuse of animals.
Diet
A Vegan diet is based on fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, pulses and cereals. The diet omits all animal products including meat, poultry, fish, sea creatures, invertebrates, eggs, animal milks, honey and royal jelly. Vegans should not be required to handle such foodstuffs. Food/drink containing or made with any of the above or their derivatives should not be served. The Vegan Society can provide helpful information on a range of issues including how nutrients are obtained from a Vegan diet.
Human nutrient requirements, with the exception of B12 can be met by a diet composed entirely of plant foods, but to do so it must be carefully planned using a wide selection of foods. Fortified Yeast extract is a good source of some of the B-vitamins, including vitamin B12 as is fortified Soya milk.
Purchase of supplements and remedies
Herbal remedies, dietary, or food supplements of a vegetable or synthetic origin such as Iodine (Kelp tablets) may be requested through the prison shop.
Dress
Clothing and footwear must be from non-animal (eg plant or synthetic) sources. The wearing of all animal fibres, skins and materials including wool, silk, leather and suede will not be accepted by Vegan prisoners.
Toiletries
Toiletries containing any animal derived ingredients and toiletries where either the product or its ingredients have been tested on animals are totally unacceptable and are not permitted. Therefore, whenever toiletries suitable for Vegans are required, establishments should make arrangements for such items to be stocked in the prison canteen or ordered in as necessary.
Vegans should not be expected to use inappropriate toiletries.
Vegans should not be asked to handle or use substances that have involved animal testing on the product or its ingredients.
Work
Most Vegan prisoners will not wish to be involved in any way in the care of animals on prison farms. Vegans usually choose not to engage in any sport, hobby, or trade that directly or indirectly, causes stress, distress, suffering, or death to any creature.
Vegans should not be expected to work in butchery or handle anything of animal origin or content.
Information Sources:
The Vegan Society
21, Hylton Street
Hockley
Birmingham
B18 6HJ
Tel: 0845 458 8244
Vegan Prisoner Support Group
PO Box 194
Enfield
Middlesex
EN1 4YL
Tel/Fax: 020 8363 5729
12 Gardner Street,
Brighton
BN1 1UP
Tel: 01273 685685
Cosmetics:
Lumford Mill
Bakewell,
Derbyshire
DE45 1GS
Tel: 01629 814888
Veterans' Benefits and Pensions More info
Anyone who has served in the UK Armed Forces - and the widows, widowers and dependants of those who have served - may be entitled to financial help, in the form of pensions or other payments.
Who is a veteran?
A veteran is someone who has served in the UK Armed Forces. The term also includes their widows/widowers and dependants. There is no minimum service requirement to be considered a veteran, nor do you have to have been on active service.
Payments from the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
Veteran entitlements can include pensions and other payments.
You may be entitled to any of the pensions or payments under the following schemes:
> The War Pensions Scheme
> War Disablement Pension (and supplementary allowances)
> War Widows' or Widowers' Pension
> Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
This was introduced on 6 April 2005 for injuries and wounds sustained in Service on or after this date. It includes:
> tariff-based lump sum payment
> Guaranteed Income Payment for life
You can make your claim for your pension directly to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. For more information on any of the schemes, supplementary allowances, payment for medical treatment, care for veterans or any general issues affecting veterans, you can call the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency Helpline.
Telephone: 0800 169 2277 (free calls in the UK)
Telephone (minicom): 0800 169 3458
Information reproduced courtesy of DirectGov
You can also get help with work, housing, healthcare, nursing etc.
ViSOR More info
ViSOR is a UK-wide system used to store and share information and intelligence on those individuals who have been identified as posing a risk of serious harm to the public.
ViSOR is designed to facilitate the work of Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by assisting co-operative working between the three "Responsible Authorities" (police, probation and prison services) in their joint management of individuals posing a risk of serious harm.
It is used by
43 police forces in England and Wales
Police Service of Northern Ireland
8 Scottish police forces
Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS)
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
Joint Border Operations Centre (JBOC)
British Transport Police (BTP)
HM Forces Service Police Crime Bureau
Scottish Criminal Justice Social Work Organisations
All Probation Service areas in England and Wales
All Private and Public Sector Prisons in England and Wales
Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Intelligence Bureau
Information reproduced from National Policing Improvements Agency
Click Here for more information
VO - Visiting Order More info
A special form which is filled in and used to book a visit at a prison. VOs can be renewed or accumulated (if not used). Normally prisoners in England are entitled to 2 per month. Newly convicted prisoners are entitled to one immediately upon reception into a prison. You can get information about visiting any UK prison from our Visiting Section of this website.
PSO4410 deals with Visiting
PSO4405 deals with Assisted Prison Visits
Click Here for the Prison Service Visiting Guide.
Click Here for information about visiting from the Prisoners' Families Helpline
Click Here for information about visiting from DirectGov.
Volumetric Control More info
To limit the amount of property a prisoner has to make it easier to search. Their personal property must fit inside two specially defined boxes.
PSO1250 deals with prisoners' property and volumetric control.
VOO - Violent Offender Order More info
Violent Offender Orders (VOOs) were introduced on 3 August 2009 as part of the government’s commitment to do more to protect the public from violent offenders. They are civil preventative orders which the police can use to place controls on violent offenders in circumstances where they could potentially pose the greatest danger to the public. The VOO (information about release or transfer) Regulations will make it a legal requirement for responsible bodies, including mental health services (where an individual is detained under part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983), to notify the police service or the receiving institution if an offender subject to a VOO is to be released or transferred from their care.
Information courtesy of Home Office
VPU - Vulnerable Prisoner Unit More info
In some prisons: a wing where prisoners, mainly convicted of sex offenders but also those in debt or those who find it difficult to cope within the prison system, are kept apart to protect them from bullying and victimisation by other prisoners.
W
Warrant of Arrest More info
A court order to arrest a someone.
Warrant of Commitment More info
A form issued by a Magistrates' Court which authorises a prison to keep a person in custody.
Warrant of Detention More info
A court order authorising someone’s detention.
Wing More info
A group of cells in a specific location within a prison. these are usually named alphabetically.
Wing Officer More info
A prison officer who works on the wings where residents live. They deal with the day to day issues relating to prisoners and are, usually, the first point of call if a prisoner has a problem or needs something.
Without Prejudice More info
Negotiations with a view to a settlement are usually conducted ‘without prejudice’, which means that the circumstances in which the content of those negotiations may be revealed to the court are very restricted.
Witness Charter More info
The Witness Charter has been developed to tell witnesses how they can expect to be treated by the police if they are a witness to a crime or incident. It also covers subsequent standards of care for other criminal justice agencies and lawyers if witnesses are asked to give evidence for the prosecution or defence in a criminal court. The charter sets out what help and support each witness can expect to receive at every stage of the process from all the agencies and lawyers involved, although the Witness Charter does not cover the role of judges and magistrates.
Click Here for more information
Witness Protection and Anonymity More info
The openness of judicial proceedings is a fundamental principle enshrined in Article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights (the right to a fair trial). This underpins the requirement for a prosecution witness to be identifiable not only to the defendant, but also to the open court. It supports the ability of the defendant to present his case and to test the prosecution case by cross-examination of prosecution witnesses. In some cases it may also encourage other witnesses to come forward. However, under Convention case law, granting a witness anonymity is not necessarily incompatible with the Convention.
The principle of open justice can act as a bar to successful prosecutions, particularly in homicides, organised crime and gun crime. Witnesses may fear that if their identity is revealed to the defendant or his associates then they - or their friends and family - will be at risk of serious harm.
In most cases the police will establish whether a witness is in fear and should inform the prosecutor. Ideally, a discussion about the type of 'protection' that should be applied for will be the subject of discussion between the police and the prosecutor at the pre charge stage. Occasionally information about a witness being in fear may come from another source (for example the Witness Care Unit or the Witness Service).
When informed that a witness is fearful of giving evidence, prosecutors must liaise closely with the police to consider the range of options available to them both at common law and by virtue of statute. Prosecutors should seek to ensure that, wherever possible, the witness's fear is allayed and that they are given the requisite protection. Prosecutors must also have regard to the fact that witnesses have rights under the ECHR, namely the right to life (Article 2), the prohibition of torture (Article 3) and the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8). As a public authority it is generally unlawful for the CPS to act in any way which is incompatible with a Convention right (section 6(1) Human Rights Act 1998). Articles 2 and 3 are absolute rights, i.e. rights that are strongly protected and cannot be restricted even in times of war or other public emergency. Article 8 is a qualified right, i.e. a right that is to be balanced against the public interest. This right can be restricted where it can be shown that a restriction is: i) prescribed by law; ii) legitimate; iii) necessary and proportionate; and iv) not discriminatory.
Reproduced courtesy of Crown Prosecution Service
Click Here for more information
Witness Summons More info
A document served on a witness requiring them to attend court to give evidence.
Workshops More info
Workshops is the general term for where prisoners work during the core day. They may range from industrial units to Braille. Information about workshops at each prison is given in our Prison Regime section.
Written Charge More info
A document, issued by a public prosecutor under section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which institutes criminal proceedings by charging a person with an offence.
Y
YJB - Youth Justice Board More info
A governmental organisation which aims to reduce youth offending by commissioning research and advising the Home Secretary.
Click Here for a link to the YJB website.
YMCA More info
The YMCA is a leading Christian charity committed to supporting all young people, particularly in times of need.
YMCA England supports and represents the work of 135 YMCAs providing professional and relevant services that make a difference to the lives of young people in over 250 communities. The YMCA reaches out to over 1 million young people each year, working with them at every stage of their lives and offering support when and where they need it most.
Click Here for more information about the YMCA
YOI - Young Offenders' Institution More info
A prison normally holding young people between the ages of 18 and 21.
Click Here for information from the Prison Service about Young Offenders.
Young Adult Prisoners (or Young Adults) More info
This term refers to all prisoners between the ages of 18 and 21.
Youth Court More info
The youth court is a section of the magistrates' court and can be located in the same building. It deals with almost all cases involving young people under the age of 18. This section of the magistrates' court is served by youth panel magistrates and district judges. They have the power to give Detention and Training Orders of up to 24 months, as well as a range of sentences in the community.
Click Here for more information
Youth Offending Teams More info
The YOT identifies the needs of each young offender by assessing them with a national assessment. This identifies the specific problems that make the young person offend as well as measuring the risk they pose to others. This enables the YOT to identify suitable programmes to address the needs of the young person with the intention of preventing further offending.
Click Here for more information
YRO - Youth Rehabilitation Order More info
The Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO) is the new generic community sentence for children and young people who offend. It replaces nine existing sentences;
• Action Plan Order
• Attendance Centre Order
• Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order
• Community Punishment Order
• Community Rehabilitation Order(and conditions)
• Curfew Order
• Drug Treatment and Testing Order
• Exclusion Order
• Supervision Order (and conditions)
and combines 18 requirements into one generic sentence.
Having 18 requirements within one Order simplifies sentencing, provides clarity and coherence and improves the flexibility of interventions.
Additionally, the YRO puts intensive supervision & surveillance and intensive fostering on a statutory footing. This helps sentencers to use alternatives to custody where they are available.
To promote community sentencing, sentencers must now provide a reason if they do not use an alternative to custody for those young people who are on the custody threshold.
Information from the Youth Justice Board
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Issue : July 2010
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July 2010 Headlines
> ‘Prisons are awash with drugs’
> ‘An open letter to Kenneth Clarke MP, Secretary of State for Justice’
> Quality not quantity
> Housing...
> Month by Month
> A matter of life and death
> Prison is whatever you want it to be …
> The learning experience
> Ben's Blog
> Trials, timing and influence
> Anonymity Until Trial
> Reducing isolation … increasing socialisation
> Deliberately inflicted powerlessness
> “They know who you are, where you are, what you are doing and who you are doing it with!”
> Flawed sentences
> Does prison fail inmates with mental illness?
> Civil Recovery Orders
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