NCJ Number
136244
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Ten recommendations to improve the British prison system are offered that resulted from Lord Justice Woolf's report on the prison disturbances in April 1990.
Abstract
Of 204 proposals contained in the Woolf report, the Prison Reform Trust and the Howard League for Penal Reform believe that 10 should be implemented immediately. All governors of establishments with prisoners who do not have access to integral sanitation should consider whether it is possible to unlock inmates in controlled numbers and under supervision during the evening, with the addition of staff. A prison officer should be given responsibility for coordinating services provided in prison establishments and in localities for drug and alcohol abusers. Existing AIDS policies should be reviewed, particularly with regard to infection prevention and confidentiality of information. Prison management should attach greater significance to staff/management relations and to staff development. All staff and governors within a prison should display a label or badge that clearly gives their name and rank. Prison rules and regulations should be reviewed and amended as appropriate, personal kit systems should be introduced throughout the prison system, and consideration should be given to dietary services. Finally, the Prison Service should establish a free call number so that prisoners can make calls in confidence if needed at public expense, and prison bulletins should be prepared in clear language.