Daily life

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Communal areas are well-maintained, clean and free from graffiti.
• Rooms provide adequate space for the number of detainees held, are free from potential ligature points and graffiti, are properly ventilated and heated and are well lit (including by natural light).
• As a minimum, detainees have their own bed, chair and lockable cupboard and enough space to store personal belongings.
• All in-room toilets have lids and are screened, and all washing facilities are screened.
• Detainees always have access to clean drinking water, a toilet and washing facilities.
• Residential units are as quiet as possible at night with appropriate lighting to enable rest and sleep.
• Outside areas are well maintained and clean.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Room sharing risk assessments which take account of offending behaviour are carried out for all detainees.
• Children do not share a room with adults other than in exceptional circumstances, when this is in their best interests and with their consent. Decisions take account of their need for social interaction and the impact of potential isolation.
• Women and girls do not share a room with men or boys.
• Detainees not yet sentenced are located separately from sentenced detainees.
• Staff explain to detainees how to raise the alarm in an emergency and respond within five minutes when the alarm is raised.
• Detainees know the local rules and routines, which are applied openly, fairly and consistently, with no discrimination.
• When decisions are conveyed to detainees, appeal arrangements are explained and made available.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees can shower or bathe in private every day, following exercise and before and after health care appointments.
• Detainees are provided with basic hygiene items for their personal use on arrival and are subsequently able to purchase them from the shop.
• Women and girls are provided with an appropriate range of menstrual care products without having to ask.
• Clean bedding is provided for each new detainee on arrival and can be replaced or laundered weekly or when soiled.
• Mattresses are replaced when needed.
• Detainees have access to enough cleaning materials to keep their rooms and communal areas clean.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees who are required to wear military dress have adequate sets of uniform available to them.
• Civilian detainees who have never served in the military can wear their own clothing.
• Detainees have at least weekly access to laundry facilities to wash and iron their clothes.
• Where detainees lack enough clothing, they are provided with clothing which fits and is in good repair.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees can receive parcels subject to security considerations.
• The amount of property held in possession and storage takes account of individual needs.
• The list of possessions that detainees are allowed to keep meets the needs of the population.
• Detainees’ valuable property is routinely security-marked before it is issued.
• All property is returned to detainees on release or transfer.
• Detainees are fairly compensated for clothing and possessions which are lost or damaged in storage.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Mealtimes match those in the general community.
• Detainees can eat out of their rooms, with others.
• Detainees are provided with a diet which considers their age, health, religious and cultural requirements and the demands of their daily regime.
• Catering staff provide meals that meet medical dietary requirements and support vegan and vegetarian diets.
• Menus are agreed following advice from dieticians and nutritionists and meet the needs of the population.
• Detainees are consulted about the menu and their feedback about food is routinely considered.
• Detainees can cater for themselves using items bought from the shop.
• Detainees returning from temporary release do not miss out on their evening meal.
• Detainees locked up overnight can still make a hot drink.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Managers make sure that relevant food and safety hygiene regulations are adhered to in all areas where food is stored, prepared or served.
• Catering staff prepare food that meets religious, cultural or other specific dietary needs.
• Staff who work with food are trained, wear proper clothing and have been health screened.
• Staff supervise the serving of food to prevent tampering and to make sure there is appropriate portion control.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees can buy items from the shop within 24 hours of arriving at the establishment.
• Prices are broadly equivalent to those in the community.
• The range of products available meets the diverse needs of the population, including children, women and black and minority ethnic detainees.
• Detainees can purchase healthy food choices.
• Detainees can make purchases at least once a week.
• Detainees can access accurate and up-to-date records of their finances, free of charge.
• Detainees can read a daily newspaper.
• Detainees can receive magazines, books and hobby materials which are sent in by family or friends, subject to an individual risk assessment.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Detainees are regularly consulted about life in the establishment and are given the opportunity to present any areas of grievance or dissatisfaction directly to managers.
• Detainees can raise issues or concerns for discussion.
• Detainees can challenge decisions appropriately and are confident that their views are taken seriously.
• The selection of detainees to take part in more formal consultation events or to represent the wider detainee group is fair and transparent and reflects the population.
• Detainees are informed of the outcome of consultation and are provided with justifiable reasons for any decision made.
• Ongoing feedback mechanisms, for example food comments books, are readily available, regularly checked and responded to appropriately.

The following indicators describe evidence that may show this expectation being met, but do not exclude other ways of achieving it.

• Staff and detainees are encouraged to resolve requests informally, before making a formal, written application or complaint.
• Detainees know how to make applications and can do so confidentially.
• Staff help detainees to make applications, as requested.
• Detainees do not have to make repeated applications for services they access or receive on a regular basis.
• Detainees receive prompt responses to their applications which are respectful, easy to understand and address the issues raised.
• There are effective and thorough quality assurance arrangements in place.