Country

United Kingdom

Detention issue

Protection against violence

FRA research findings

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Legal instruments & key provisions

Legal instrument Key provision
England and Wales - Prison Rules 1999Vulnerable prisoners are identified upon arrival in detention. They are separated from the mainstream population and spend their first night in a specific accommodation. Segregation must be envisaged when there are reasonable grounds for believing that the prisoner is subject or will be subject to assault from other prisoners. Prison staff must first envisage other means to solve the issue as segregation must be used only in last resort. Prisoners have access to a complaint mechanism.
Scotland - no legal provisionProtected prisoners units are usually available in all prisons. The single prison without a unit for protected prisoners is HMP Low Moss, where vulnerable prisoners can be temporarily protected with a very limited regime before being transferred to HMP Barlinnie. Protected prisoners are classified as either offence related protected prisoners or non-offence related protected prisoners. They are managed and moved separately from the mainstream prison population in order to reduce risks. Prisoners have access to a complaint mechanism.
Northern Ireland - no legal provisionOffence-related vulnerable prisoners and other vulnerable prisoners are held in separate units. They have access to full regime (i.e to activities, work and association time) and are moved separately from the mainstream prison population. Prisoners have access to a complaint form.

NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM RECOMMENDATIONS

Year Recommendation Report