Separation Centre Expectations

The Expectations provide the framework against which HM Inspectorate of Prisons will fulfil its responsibility for delivering independent and objective assessments of outcomes. This focus is in accordance with the UK’s responsibilities as signatory to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).

Separation centres are designed to accommodate small numbers of prisoners who present a threat, either in person or by influencing others, that cannot be managed within the high security mainstream population. The primary focus is to protect other detainees and staff from the harm caused by radicalisation, extremist ideologies and terrorist threat. The decision to locate a prisoner in one of the centres is part of wider national security and, as such, not within the remit of the Chief Inspector of Prisons to comment on. The following Expectations focus on the treatment and conditions experienced by the men held in the centres.

We have agreed four main tests to measure outcomes for prisoners in the centres, underpinned by a focus on leadership. The four tests are: management of the centres, progression, safety and respect. We have thought carefully about the content of each test, and they are structured differently from our other Expectations to reflect the unique role of separation centres, located as they currently are within a small number of long-term high security prisons. We do not intend to judge provision within the wider prison in which the centre is located as this will be assessed in our inspections of those prisons – but we will make judgements about access to services and support for men in the centres and whether this meets their assessed risks and needs.

The feedback did not result in any major themes being identified but where we could we took on board single comments, made changes to the language and clarified some of the indicators.

• We have strengthened references to the involvement of local leaders throughout the Expectations and added an indicator to ensure actions are taken following concerns raised.
• We have made sure that expectations and indicators are focused on the risks posed by men in the centres with the overall aim of separation being a reduction in the risks posed to others.
• We also altered terminology, most notably with regards to the terms ‘prisoner’ and ‘patient’ in our indicators for the health section.
• We amended our indicators to make it clear that prisoners have access to legal advice and are able to challenge their placement on the centres through that route.

The Expectations are clearly based on those we use for men in prison and some of the suggestions made by stakeholders would have meant that we deviated too far from those standards, which would not be appropriate.