Custodial Operations Standard Operating Procedure - Breaches of Discipline

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Performance Standard
Authority
1.	Procedure Requirements
1.1	Definitions
2.	Acts or Omissions That Constitute a Breach of Discipline
3.	Officer's Report to be Prepared
4.	Decision to Take Formal Action
4.1	If a CoP referral is made
5.	When Alleged Breach Referred to the CoP
5.1	Process if CoP advises will not be prosecuted as an offence
6.	Work Camps
7.	Consideration to Treat as Minor or Major Breach
7.1	Relevant factors to consider
7.2	If act or omission had previously been referred to the CoP
7.3	If act or omission had not previously been referred to the CoP
8.	Commencing the Breach Process
8.1	Signing breach register
8.2	Date to be recorded on IOMS
8.3	Transfer of prisoner where a breach of discipline has not been finalised
9.	Documents to be Given to Prisoner
9.1	Prior to breach of discipline hearing
9.2	When breach of discipline process formally commences
9.3	Upon finalisation of the breach of discipline process
10.	Breach Hearing
10.1	Consideration of any special needs of the prisoner
10.2	Relevant factors to be considered
10.3	Making and documenting a decision that a prisoner has committed a breach
11.	When a Hearing Officer Determines a Prisoner Has Committed a Breach of Discipline
11.1	Prisoner to be notified immediately of decision
11.2	Separate confinement pre-conditions for minor breaches
11.3	Restitution payments
11.4	Positive drug test
12.	Review of a Deciding Officer's Decision
12.1	Relevant factors of consideration for a reviewing officer
12.2	Making and documenting a review decision
13.	Electronic Visual and Audio Recording of Major Breach Hearings and Reviews
14.	Where Breach Proceeding Discontinued
15.	Regulation 6(K) Breaches of Discipline
16.	Accommodation in a Detention Unit
16.1	Prisoner access to recreational or general equipment
16.2	Duties of officers carrying out duties in a detention unit
16.3	Log book requirements - application of restraints
16.4	Records
16.5	Daily routine
16.6	Authorised access
16.7	Specialist staff
16.8	Minimum requirements
16.9	Privileges
16.10	Search
16.11	Medical
16.12	Electronic visual and audio recordings
16.13	Code of conduct
17.	Quality Assurance of Breach of Discipline Process

Performance Standard

Breach proceedings are fair, transparent, consistent and without bias with the dignity and rights of prisoners; including those with different beliefs, cultures and religions; respected.

Proceedings are in accordance with-

Safety & Security - Our Principles - Containment

4. Prisoner discipline

We will provide consistent, fair and transparent processes and consequences regarding prisoner discipline.

Refer - Safety and Security - Our Principles (in-confidence)

Chief Inspector Healthy Prisons 2007 Standard 22 - Discipline

Disciplinary procedures are applied fairly and for good reason. Prisoners understand why

they are being disciplined and can appeal against any sanctions imposed on them.

Refer - Healthy Prisons Handbook

Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia Standards 1.17 to 1.76 - Punishment of Prisoners.

Refer - Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia Revised 2004

Authority

Corrective Services Act 2006, ss. 113-120, 121, 265

Corrective Services Regulation 2006, s. 6, 5(d)

1. Procedure Requirements

Refer - Corrective Services Act 2006 (CSA), ss. 113-121 and standard operating procedure Administrative Decision Making.

The disciplinary process must provide a prompt, non-adversarial mechanism to deal with alleged internal disciplinary breaches by prisoners. All acts or omissions must be dealt with separately and based on the circumstances of each individual occurrence.

Only permanently appointed correctional supervisors accredited in hearing major breaches and approved by the General Manager or Deputy General Manager or more senior officers may decide a major breach of discipline. This is to ensure transparency and independent decision making for breach hearings. Refer - Instrument of Limitation of Corrective Services Officers' Powers (in-confidence)

Refer appendix - Breach Process Flowchart.

A prisoner undergoing separate confinement must be given the opportunity to exercise, in the fresh air, for at least two daylight hours a day, refer CSA, s 5(d)

1.1 Definitions

Separate confinement, in relation to a prisoner, means the separation of the prisoner from other prisoners. Refer CSA, schedule 4

2. Acts or Omissions That Constitute a Breach of Discipline

Refer - Corrective Services Regulation 2006, s. 6; appendix - Definitions for Breaches of Discipline.

3. Officer's Report to be Prepared

If a prisoner allegedly commits an act or omission which could be dealt with as an offence or as a breach of discipline, the officer observing or becoming aware of the act or omission must complete an officer's report detailing the circumstances of the act or omission. If an incident report is raised on IOMS, the officer's report must be attached, refer IOMS Online Learning Materials - Add New Incident.

4. Decision to Take Formal Action

An officer observing or becoming aware of a breach of discipline must decide whether to-

1. refer to the Commissioner of the Police Service (CoP) (refer CSA s. 114(2)) (general manager or deputy general manager of a corrective services facility may determine an officer/s responsible for notifying CoP);
2. take no further action;
3. reprimand the prisoner without loss of privileges; or
4. start proceedings for a breach of discipline.

Prisoners should not be automatically transferred from a residential accommodation to secure accommodation area once a breach is initiated. If a breach of discipline is considered to be of a minor nature the prisoner may continue to reside in the residential accommodation area.

4.1 If a CoP referral is made

If it is determined that the matter is to be referred to the CoP for consideration, the prisoner must be advised verbally by an officer within 24 hours of this determination. The time and date of verbal notification must be recorded in the incident recorded on IOMS, refer IOMS Online Learning Materials - Incidents.

The CoP must be advised of the matter within 48 hours after the prisoner has been advised that the matter will be referred to the CoP.

5. When Alleged Breach Referred to the CoP

An officer must not commence proceedings (section 8 of this standard operating procedure) against a prisoner for an alleged breach of discipline if the matter was referred to the CoP under CSA s. 114(2)(b), unless the CoP has advised that the matter is not to be prosecuted as an offence.

Refer - CSA ss. 113(4)-(5), 114(2)(b); Instrument of Delegation of Chief Executive Powers - Corrective Services Act 2006 (in-confidence)

5.1 Process if CoP advises will not be prosecuted as an offence

If the matter was referred to the CoP and the CoP advises the chief executive or delegate that the matter will not be prosecuted as an offence, as soon as practicable, but within 14 days after the chief executive or delegate receives the advice, a breach hearing must make a decision (ie. 14 days in which the breach hearing must occur commences from the time CoP advice has been received by a QCS officer).

The general manager of the corrective services facility must establish a process of monitoring the return of incidents for breach action from the CoP.

Refer - CSA s. 116(2)(a)

For example -

An act or omission has been referred to the Corrective Services Investigation Unit (CSIU) under CSA s.114(2)(b) via an IOMS incident report. CSIU communicate a decision not to prosecute to the corrective services facility on a Friday via the IOMS incident report but an officer at the facility first becomes aware of this on the following Monday morning. The 14 day period in which a breach decision must be made commences from the Friday, ie. the day the advice was received.

6. Work Camps

All incidents regarded as minor which do not constitute an offence or breach of discipline, should be addressed by the relevant field supervisor, usually through individual counselling and the completion of a Behaviour/Performance Report.

When an incident involves a prisoner allegedly committing an offence or breach of discipline the field supervisor must advise the responsible manager, in person or by telephone, as soon as practicable and provide a written report to the manager, by end of duty on that day, or sooner, as required by the manager.

The manager must contact the general manager of the corrective services facility to which the respective work camp is aligned as soon as possible if the responsible manager has any concerns regarding the management and supervision of the prisoner and whether the prisoner's placement needs to be reviewed.

7. Consideration to Treat as Minor or Major Breach

The officer observing or becoming aware of a breach of discipline must inform the prisoner that the matter will be dealt with as a minor breach or a major breach.

7.1 Relevant factors to consider

When determining whether a breach of discipline should be dealt with as a minor or major breach, the officer observing or becoming aware of the breach should consider-

1. the seriousness of the breach;
2. whether it has, or is likely to have, an adverse effect on the good order of the facility or adversely affect the prisoner or other prisoners;
3. whether the prisoner was observed by other prisoners or staff when committing the breach;
4. whether the action was intentional or accidental;
5. whether the commission of the breach created or was likely to create tension within the facility;
6. the mood among other prisoners at the time of the breach;
7. whether the prisoner was aware of the relevant rules;
8. whether the prisoner's behavioural standards complied with the facility's requirements; and
9. any other factor which in the opinion of the officer observing or becoming aware of the breach of discipline is relevant to the seriousness of the breach including past institutional performance of the prisoner.

7.2 If act or omission had previously been referred to the CoP

If a breach of discipline referred to CoP under CSA s.114(2)(b) is not to be prosecuted as an offence, it may only be proceeded against as a major breach of discipline, refer CSA s. 113(5).

7.3 If act or omission had not previously been referred to the CoP

If the matter was not referred to the CoP, a decision on the commencement of breach proceedings must be decided for a minor breach of discipline within 24 hours after the time the alleged breach happened

If the matter was not referred to the CoP, a decision on the commencement of breach proceedings must be decided for a major breach of discipline as soon as practicable, but within 14 days, after the deciding officer becomes aware of the alleged breach.

Refer - CSA ss. 1116(1); Instrument of Limitation of Corrective Services Officers' Powers (in-confidence) - Corrective Services Act 2006

For example -

An officer gives a direction to a prisoner to tidy his/her cell and minimise the amount of property. The prisoner refuses to do so. The officer informs the prisoner he/she will be breached and completes the required documents. The major breach hearing for the prisoner is to commence within 14 days of the deciding officer receiving and becoming aware of the breach.

An education tutor writes a report to the General Manager of the facility who reads the report some weeks after and determines that a breach has occurred. The breach hearing is to occur within 14 days of the General Manager of the facility becoming aware of the fact.

8. Commencing the Breach Process

If the matter was referred to the CoP under CSA s. 114(2)(b), the breach process is not to commence unless the CoP has advised that the matter is not to be prosecuted as an offence.

Refer administrative form - Breach Process Checklist.

The officer observing or becoming aware of a breach of discipline must -

1. immediately or as soon as practical -
   
   
   1. raise a breach of discipline in IOMS (refer IOMS Online Learning Materials - Add New Breach) and attach a full and comprehensive officer's report (supporting statements from other officers observing the alleged breach may be attached);
   2. complete a Form 23 - Breach of Discipline with all relevant information up to but not including Part B. The form must provide sufficient details of the circumstances of the act or omission alleged to constitute the breach of discipline and the relevant breach of discipline regulation, refer CSR s.6;
   
   
2. provide a deciding officer signed copies of documents outlined at section 8. a;
3. enter details of the breach into the breach register on the day the breach is raised.

8.1 Signing breach register

The breach register must be checked and endorsed by an officer who has been delegated to decide or review major breaches of discipline at a minimum of twice per week.

8.2 Date to be recorded on IOMS

The date of the breach of discipline recorded on IOMS must be the date on which the act or omission occurred. For example -

A prisoner provides a test sample on the 1 January 2010 and the presumptive test indicated that the sample contains methylamphetamine. The sample is re-tested by the laboratory and confirmatory testing received on 1 February 2010 indicates the presence of methylamphetamine. The date the alleged breach occurred in IOMS must be 1 January 2010. The Awareness date in IOMS would be 1 February 2010. This matter would be referred to the CSIU. If the CSIU notify the centre they will not be prosecuting the prisoner, the deciding officer, within 14 days must hold a breach hearing and make a decision..

8.3 Transfer of prisoner where a breach of discipline has not been finalised

The general manager of a corrective services facility must establish a process that ensures prisoners transferred prior to the finalisation of a breach of discipline process, including those referred to the CoP, have notification of the pending breach action communicated to the receiving corrective services facility prior to the transfer of the prisoner.

9. Documents to be Given to Prisoner

9.1 Prior to breach of discipline hearing

A print-out from IOMS of the Form 23 - Breach of Discipline completed up to and including Part A must be given to the prisoner by a corrective services officer. The Form 23 must be provided to the prisoner before the breach hearing with the prisoner provided sufficient time to read and understand all documents. The prisoner must be provided the opportunity, if requested, to prepare a response in their defence on any mitigating circumstances for the breach hearing. Further, the prisoner is to be informed of their right to make submissions in their defence.

The prisoner is to be advised in writing of the method in which they may reliably obtain a copy of the legislation prior to the breach hearing.

The date and time that a copy of the Form 23 - Breach of Discipline was given to the prisoner must be documented on the Form 23 and provided to the prisoner. A corrective services officer is to sign both the prisoner's copy and the original.

9.2 When breach of discipline process formally commences

The breach process formally commences when the prisoner is handed the Form 23.

9.3 Upon finalisation of the breach of discipline process

When the breach of discipline process has been finalised and recorded in the breach of discipline raised in IOMS, a copy of the IOMS breach of discipline is to be printed and provided to the prisoner, refer CSR, s 7.

10. Breach Hearing

Refer appendix - Guidelines For Hearing a Breach of Discipline

A hearing (deciding or reviewing) officer must conduct a hearing to decide whether a breach was committed.

10.1 Consideration of any special needs of the prisoner

Officers conducting disciplinary hearings must assess the language and comprehension skills of the prisoner and ensure that the prisoner understands the proceedings.

Where a prisoner may be disadvantaged by language barriers or impaired mental capacity they may be helped by someone from the facility.

10.2 Relevant factors to be considered

The hearing officer must give the prisoner the opportunity to make separate submissions in their defence on any mitigating circumstances. [If in the event that a prisoner states the referring officer did not comply with an Agency procedure or process, this must be recorded on the Form 23 eg. non compliance with substance testing procedure].

Refer CSA ss. 116 and 119(1); Instrument of Limitation of Corrective Services Officers' Powers (in-confidence)

The following factors are relevant to a hearing officer-

1. it is good practice that all officers reports are signed however, an unsigned report will not invalidate the breach process - the complainants signature must though be evident on the Form 23;
2. the onus of proof lies with the officer initiating the breach (not the prisoner) to provide evidence of the breach to the required standard;
3. when considering a major of breach of discipline, if appropriate in the circumstances, declare the breach to be a minor breach of discipline and continue proceedings as a minor breach of discipline (refer CSA s.117(2) and section 7 of this standard operating procedure);
4. may only declare a breach to be a minor breach of discipline if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the prisoner committed a minor breach of discipline;
5. may only declare a breach to be a major breach of discipline if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the prisoner committed a major breach of discipline;
6. immediately after making a decision the prisoner must be advised of the decision, that the decision may be reviewed and how a decision is reviewed (refer CSA s.118(4));
7. if an act or omission by the prisoner resulting in the breach action initially lead to the prisoners separation (eg. placement in a detention unit on a safety order), the period of separation and conditions imposed are considered when determining a breach penalty.

Further, the hearing officer must ensure that the language used to communicate to the prisoner ensures that they understand their right to make those submissions.

10.3 Making and documenting a decision that a prisoner has committed a breach

Taking all factors into consideration including the officer's report, the prisoner's version of events, any mitigating evidence the prisoner may offer and the questions asked to the prisoner. The hearing officer will then make a determination on the penalty. If the breach is a major breach, the process must be electronically recorded (refer CSA s. 117(1)).

Hearing officers must record adequate reasons for their decision on the Form 23.

On completion of the breach determination process, details of the breach must be entered and approved in IOMS and also recorded in the Disciplinary Breach Register. The completed Form 23 must be scanned and attached to the IOMS Breach of Discipline under the “Attachments” tab, refer IOMS Online Learning Materials - Breaches.

The following data must be entered into IOMS under the 'comments' section -

1. a description of what occurred in sufficient detail to enable a staff member reviewing the information on IOMS to be able to understand the incident;
2. if an incident report has been generated, reference to the incident report number;
3. the Breach Register number; and
4. the electronic recording reference number (for a major breach).

Refer administrative form - Example of a Disciplinary Breach Register

11. When a Hearing Officer Determines a Prisoner Has Committed a Breach of Discipline

When a hearing officer determines a prisoner has committed a breach of discipline, consideration should be given to the following factors -

1. severity of contravention;
2. any mitigating circumstances; and
3. history of contraventions.

Refer appendix - Guidelines For Hearing a Breach of Discipline

The hearing officer may-

1. reprimand the prisoner without further punishment; or
2. order that privileges the prisoner may have otherwise received be forfeited as follows-
   
   
   1. minor breach - in the 24 hours starting when the prisoner is advised of the decision; or
   2. major breach - starting when the prisoner is advised of the decision and not exceeding seven (7) days; or
   
   
3. order the prisoner to undergo separate confinement (refer CSA s. 121).

Refer CSA s. 118

11.1 Prisoner to be notified immediately of decision

Immediately after making a decision that a prisoner has committed a breach of discipline and a penalty has been determined, the hearing officer must tell the prisoner the decision. Where the decision was made by a deciding officer the prisoner must also be advised-

1. that the prisoner may have the decision reviewed; and
2. how the prisoner may have the decision reviewed.

11.2 Separate confinement pre-conditions for minor breaches

Separate confinement may be ordered for a minor breach of discipline only if the prisoner has habitually committed minor breaches of discipline and, on the occasion of the breach immediately preceding the alleged current breach, was warned that the next breach could result in the prisoner being separately confined.

11.3 Restitution payments

The payment of restitution is not to be considered by a deciding or reviewing officer in the breach process. This is a separate process delegated to the general manger or deputy general manager. Refer procedure - Prisoner Monies, section 4(g) - Withdrawals.

11.4 Positive drug test

Refer appendix - Substance Testing - Response to Drug and Alcohol Use

12. Review of a Deciding Officer's Decision

Refer appendix - Guidelines For Hearing a Breach of Discipline

A prisoner may only request a review of a decision that the prisoner committed a breach of discipline, refer CSA s. 119(1). This provides for a review of the decision that the act or omission by the prisoner constituted a breach of discipline but does not provide a right of review of a part only of the decision (eg. penalty imposed).

If a prisoner wants to have a decision reviewed, the prisoner must advise the deciding officer immediately after being informed of the decision. The deciding officer must not make any comment that would influence the prisoner's decision on whether to seek a review of a breach decision.

If the prisoner advised the deciding officer that he/she wants to have the decision reviewed, the deciding officer's decision is stayed until the review is finished.

The review must be held as soon as practicable after the prisoner informs the deciding officer they are wanting a review, refer CSA s. 119(2)(b).

The review decision process must be heard by a more senior officer than the deciding officer. The reviewing officer must not be the same officer as the deciding officer even though the officer may be in a more senior position. In this eventuality the review decision must be forwarded to the next most senior position.

For example-

The Accommodation Manager is the deciding officer for prisoner A. Prisoner A indicates that he/she wants the decision reviewed. When the decision comes to the Deputy General Manager the Manager, Accommodations is acting as the Deputy General Manager. In this case the acting Deputy General Manager should not review the decision and should forward the review to the General Manager.

Refer Instrument of Limitation of Corrective Services Officers' Powers (in-confidence)

In reviewing a breach determination, the reviewing officer must take all relevant factors into consideration, including-

1. severity of contravention;
2. any mitigating circumstances;
3. history of contraventions;
4. further evidence as allowed by the reviewing officer; and
5. further investigation to ensure reasonable equitable consequences.

The reviewing officer must complete the example determination questions on Form 23 - Breach of Discipline.

12.1 Relevant factors of consideration for a reviewing officer

The following factors are relevant to a reviewing officer-

1. a review is a new hearing and not just a review of what happened before the deciding officer;
2. a review must be based on the material before the deciding officer and any further evidence allowed by the reviewing officer;
3. the onus of proof lies with the officer initiating the breach (not the prisoner) to provide evidence of the breach to the required standard;
4. when considering a major of breach of discipline, if appropriate in the circumstances, declare the breach to be a minor breach of discipline and continue proceedings as a minor breach of discipline (refer CSA s.117(2) and section 7 of this procedure);
5. may only declare a breach to be a minor breach of discipline if satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the prisoner committed a minor breach of discipline;
6. may only declare a breach to be a major breach of discipline if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the prisoner committed a major breach of discipline;
7. if an act or omission by the prisoner resulting in the breach action initially lead to the prisoners separation (eg. placement in a detention unit on a safety order), the period of separation and conditions imposed are considered when determining a breach penalty.

12.2 Making and documenting a review decision

Review officers must record adequate reasons for their decision on the Form 23.

On completion of the review process, details of the review must be entered and approved in IOMS and also recorded in the Disciplinary Breach Register. The completed Form 23 must be scanned and attached to the IOMS Breach of Discipline under the “Attachments” tab, refer IOMS Online Learning Materials - Breaches.

Refer CSA s. 119

13. Electronic Visual and Audio Recording of Major Breach Hearings and Reviews

An electronic visual and audio recording must be made of major breach of discipline hearings and reviews, refer CSA ss. 117(1) and 119(6).

When a major breach hearing or review is conducted, there is to be no interruption of the electronic visual and audio recording during the breach hearing or review. If the proceedings are interrupted, an explanation is to be given on camera as to the reason for the interruption.

The general manager of a corrective services facility must establish a process that ensures electronic visual and audio recordings are stored for a 5 year period (from date of last action) in a safe, secure and easily accessible manner.

Refer appendix - Recording, Storage and Downloading Custodial Breach Video Evidence.

The following actions must occur-

1. at completion of the major breach of discipline hearing or review, electronic visual and audio recordings are transferred to the local system drive temporarily;
2. on a weekly basis the recordings are transferred from the local system drive to an external drive;
3. storage on the external drive is in the following format -
   
   
   1. a year and month folder (based on date of breach)
   2. name of prisoner (surname first), IOMS number and breach register number
   
   

Refer standard operating procedure - Storage and Disposal of Audio and Video Recordings used for Monitoring

14. Where Breach Proceeding Discontinued

If a breach proceeding is not to continue and the breach has already been entered into IOMS, the breach must be cancelled from the prisoner's IOMS file by a person of a higher authority. The general manager of the facility must develop a process to ensure that if breach proceeding is not to continue (eg. discharge of the prisoner) a case note explaining the reasons is entered onto IOMS. If the breach has been closed, only the general manager or deputy general manager is authorised to request a Data Correction from the IOMS help desk for the removal of the breach.

A request by a prisoner for a review of a breach of discipline decision does not constitute a breach proceeding being discontinued.

Refer administrative form - IOMS Defect Notification

15. Regulation 6(K) Breaches of Discipline

The Department of Community Safety (DCS) Complaint Management Toolkit, appendix 2 - Complaint Categories, states that it is the determining officer (the person responsible for authorising the outcome of a complaint) who has discretion to decide whether or not a complaint is frivolous or vexatious. A decision that a complaint is unsubstantiated does not necessarily mean the complaint was frivolous or vexatious.

A power to breach a prisoner under CSR, regulation 6(k) must only be exercised where-

1. the person who is responsible for authorising the outcome of the complaint has found that the prisoner complaint is frivolous or vexatious; and
2. the officer hearing the breach of discipline was not the subject of the frivolous or vexatious complaint.

16. Accommodation in a Detention Unit

A detention unit provides for the accommodation of a prisoner who has been found to have committed a breach of discipline and has been ordered to undergo a period of separate confinement.

16.1 Prisoner access to recreational or general equipment

All recreational or general equipment available to prisoners in a detention unit must be approved by the Deputy Commissioner, Statewide Operations prior to prisoner issue. Refer appendix - ~Approved Recreational and General Equipment Available to Prisoners in a Detention Unit for current approved items.

Recreational or general equipment in a detention unit available to a prisoner must be inventoried and checked daily to ensure integrity of the item. 

A detention unit inventory report must be provided to the general manager of the corrective services facility on a quarterly basis.

Prisoner access to items in a detention unit such as brooms, mops, skipping ropes etc,should be on a risk assessed basis and not stored or left unattended in exercise yards where they may be used as weapons.  For security reasons, all recreational or general equipment that is issued to a prisoner which is not a fixture, must be removed from access and secured on completion of the purpose for which it was issued.  

16.2 Duties of officers carrying out duties in a detention unit

Officers carrying out duties in a detention unit must ensure that-

1. a prisoner undergoing separate confinement is given the opportunity to exercise, in the fresh air, for at least two daylight hours a day, refer CSA, s 5;
2. regular unit patrols are conducted during the shift;
3. significant behavioural observations or change to the prisoner's status is recorded and reported to the relevant supervisor;
4. the prisoner's cell is searched before and after the completion of the prisoner's placement in a detention unit;
5. each cell and all security fittings are searched at least once a day;
6. bars and mesh fitted to all cells, windows and exercise yards and other common areas are examined and tapped or checked during unlock and lock away;
7. a prisoner leaving or entering a detention unit is searched in accordance with CSA ss 33-40;
8. a search requiring the removal of clothing must be conducted in accordance with the Direction for a Search of Prisoners Requiring the Removal of Clothing and CSA ss 36 - 39;
9. all items, including meals, are searched before entry into a detention unit; and
10. prisoners providing goods and services must not be granted access to the unit and must be closely monitored at all times.

16.3 Log book requirements - application of restraints

To prevent a prisoner from harming themselves or others restraints may need to be applied that result in the prisoner having significantly restricted movement (eg. lying prone on the floor and unable to stand). In the event that this occurs, in addition to the log book requirements specified in section 3.1 of standard operating procedure Gate Books, Log Books, and Registers, staff rostered to detention units must record -

1. the time the restraints were applied and when they are removed; and
2. the times apparent good health checks of the prisoner were conducted.

Section 16.3 does not apply to prisoners who have restraints applied in accordance with appendix Escort Staffing, Weapons and Restraint Matrix (in-confidence) for external escorts.

Refer to appendix Restraints Schedule and training manual Control and Restraint Student Manual

16.4 Records

A file must be established for a prisoner placed in a detention unit. The file must include-

1. the prisoner's personal details;
2. the date the prisoner was placed in the unit;
3. the reason the prisoner was placed in the unit;
4. a copy of any authorisation placing the prisoner in the unit;
5. indication of any review date or statutory assessments; and
6. daily entries of the prisoner's behaviour.

A supervisor must check the file of each prisoner placed in the detention unit once during his/her shift or as required under any observation regime. This check should assess information recorded on the file and whether further action needs to be taken for individual cases. This check must be placed in the unit log and recorded on the prisoner's file.

The contents of the file must be scanned and placed on IOMS and/or transferred to the prisoner's Offender File when the period of detention is completed.

A supervisor must ensure that any officer entering the unit is aware of his/her responsibility for entering details in case files and the unit log book as required.

Refer standard operating procedure - Gate Books, Log Books and Registers and procedure Offender File Management (in-confidence)

16.5 Daily routine

The general manager must document the daily routine and privileges for prisoners detained in the detention unit, refer appendices - Daily Routine Detention Unit (in-confidence) - Separate Confinement; Behaviour Requirements Separate Confinement (in-confidence); Detention Unit Prisoner Accommodation Conditions Sheet (in-confidence) - Separate Confinement

16.6 Authorised access

Only those persons authorised by the general manager may access a detention unit.

16.7 Specialist staff

The general manager must determine and provide for the required level of intervention by specialist staff and their access to the unit.

16.8 Minimum requirements

The general manager must specify the minimum requirements for staff accessing a cell and escort arrangements, which take into account the reasons for detention.

16.9 Privileges

The general manager must provide for a prisoner's needs in accordance with the reason for his/her confinement in a detention unit. Subject to the safety and security of a corrective services facility, consideration must be given for access to-

1. property (items in cell);
2. use of plastic plates and cutlery;
3. telephone calls, mail, visits;
4. exercise;
5. smoking; and
6. programs, activities, and services.

For further details regarding a prisoner undergoing separate confinement refer CSR s 5; appendix - Authorised Property Separate Confinement and At Risk Observations.

16.10 Search

Refer standard operating procedure - Search - Prisoners and Corrective Services Facilities and Direction for a Search Requiring the Removal of Clothing of Prisoners

16.11 Medical

A prisoner detained in the detention unit under this standard operating procedure must be examined by a doctor in compliance with CSA s 121 (separate confinement).

Officers must immediately refer any medical needs of a detention unit prisoner to the Queensland Health Nurse Unit Manager and/or registered nurse.

The general manager or nominee, in consultation with the Nurse Unit Manager, where applicable, may determine more frequent services in accordance with a prisoner's medical needs or the operational needs of the facility. A record of that consultation must be placed in the unit log and recorded on the prisoner's file as listed in section 16.2 of this standard operating procedure.

If a prisoner requires medical treatment that cannot be provided in the detention unit, the prisoner must be removed to the Queensland Health centre located within the facility with the approval of the general manager.

16.12 Electronic visual and audio recordings

The general manager of the corrective services facility must provide for the use and storage of electronic visual/audio recordings used in a detention unit and account for all recordings in a register containing the following information-

1. time, day and date of changing of recordings;
2. identification marking of recordings inserted;
3. recording dates and times;
4. rotation and storage of all electronic visual/audio recordings; and
5. name and signature of the unit or accommodation or supervising officer who changed the recordings.

Any electronic visual and audio recording registers and log books must be archived under the conditions specified in the Libraries Act 1988 and the Retention and Disposal Schedule.

Electronic visual and audio recordings which depict the commission of an offence in a detention unit, must be treated as evidence and removed from circulation, secured and signed for by the general manager of the corrective services facility.

Refer standard operating procedure - Preservation of a Crime Scene and Evidence

16.13 Code of conduct

The general manager of a facility must ensure that all personnel operating closed circuit television monitoring and recording devices are instructed on and acknowledge the intent of the Agency's Code of Conduct and procedure - Use of Information and Communication Technology Facilities and Devices.

17. Quality Assurance of Breach of Discipline Process

The general manager of the facility must develop a process that ensures a reasonable sample (a minimum of 10%) of the facility's breaches of discipline are reviewed on a quarterly basis. The review must check that breaches of discipline are being conducted in compliance with practices outlined in this standard operating procedure. The review and any follow up actions to any findings are to be recorded in the breach register.

Endorsed by:

PETER BOTTOMLEY

Deputy Commissioner, Statewide Operations

Approved by:

MARLENE MORISON
Commissioner

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