Phased return of segregated prisoners to normal location

Consideration should be given to implementing a phased return to normal location for prisoners who have spent a long period of time in segregation (eg. for 1 month or more). Prisoners who have spent a long period of time separated from the main prison population may find the transition back onto a normal busy, noisy wing difficult or overwhelming.

The Review Board should consider phasing the return to normal location over a period of time (up to a maximum of 7 days). This proposal should be discussed and agreed with the prisoner concerned during the Segregation Review Board. (If the prisoner is not in agreement then he / she will have to be placed directly back onto normal location.)

During this ‘in between time’ the prisoner will be located in the segregation unit but will spend periods doing activities with other prisoners from his/her wing.

These activities could include:

1. attending an education class
2. attending the workshop
3. going on exercise with prisoners from the wing
4. spending an evening on wing association
5. going to the gym / PE classes
6. attending the library
7. meeting his/her personal officer for a talk about the wing routine
8. being introduced to Listeners on the wing

Such activities will help to ease the transition from segregation to normal location.

Whilst a prisoner is on a ‘phased return’ to normal location he/she will not be classified as being held in segregation under Prison Rule 45 (YOI 49). The prisoner will be permitted those items in his/her cell that they would be permitted on normal location (for example, TV, radio/CD player, personal possessions).

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