Improving Your Prisoner Involvement Systems
This toolkit helps prison governors and staff review and improve prisoner involvement systems. Based on learning from pilots, it contains practical guidance and tools. They include advice on representative systems and a range of consultation methods for engaging with the wider prisoner population. Prisoner involvement is a key part of running an effective prison. Giving prisoners the opportunity to give their views and contribute through representative systems and consultations brings many benefits. It can deal with issues before they become a problem and improve staff and prisoner relations. It also gives prisoners a voice and develops their skills. Playing an active role in their community and taking on responsibility can assist in the journey away from crime.
The six sections cover:
- An introduction to prisoner involvement, its benefits, barriers to its implementation and ideas on how to overcome them.
- A three-step process for reviewing and improving your prisoner involvement systems.
- Guidance and tools for running effective prisoner representative groups and prison-wide councils.
- Guidance on using a range of consultation methods, which are suitable for local prisons with a high turnover.
- Easy-to-use checklists, templates and good practice to support prisoner involvement
- Further sources of information and support.
