Independent Monitoring Boards

Outcome: The representatives of the Independent Monitoring Board satisfy themselves that they are confident that the establishment has followed the laid down procedures in regard to segregation of prisoners and that decisions in individual cases are reasonable in light of the available facts.

• The Independent Monitoring Board are notified within 24 hours of the segregation of any prisoner

· A member of the IMB speaks to the prisoner and scrutinises the paperwork authorising initial segregation Initial Segregation Safety Screen / Governor’s Authority for Initial Segregation / Governor’s Authority for Initial Segregation (Young People) / Reason for Initial Segregation Under this Rule / Reason for Initial Segregation Under Rule 49 (Young People). The IMB member should speak to the operational manager who authorised initial segregation if they have any concerns about the decision at this time. The operational manager should seek to clarify the reasons why he/she authorised segregation for the particular prisoner in question.

· All Independent Monitoring Board visits to the Segregation Unit and individual prisoners are recorded in the Occurrence Book and the prisoner’s Segregation History Sheet (where relevant).

· Prisoners in segregation are seen on each rota visit and any views or observations recorded on the prisoner’s Segregation History Sheet and Board member’s records.

· If at any time an Independent Monitoring Board member has a serious objection to the continued segregation of a prisoner they should approach the Duty Governor to express their concerns. If this fails to result in a satisfactory and reasonable outcome the IMB member should follow the laid down procedures for IMB objection to continued segregation.

· A member of the Independent Monitoring Board should aim to attend the Segregation Review Boards (the process of authorising continued segregation beyond the initial 72 hours). Their role is to:

• to monitor and oversee the decision making process
• to be satisfied that the laid down procedures have been followed
• to be satisfied that a reasonable decision has been reached by the Review Board (this does not necessarily mean that the individual member must agree with the decision)

· If an Independent Monitoring Board member is present at the Review Board they should sign the relevant part of the form Segregation Review Board – Governor’s Continued Authority for Segregation / Juvenile Segregation Review Board. (To indicate that they were present at the Review Board and whether or not they agree with the Review Board outcome).

• If the representative does not think that the decision of the Review Board is reasonable in light of the circumstances known at the time and has been unable to resolve the matter satisfactorily with the operational manager chairing the Board then they must follow the procedures for IMB objection to continued segregation.

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