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In the rapidly changing context of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we would like to provide some updates on how the UK NPM is approaching the crisis and taking forward our role to prevent ill-treatment.
This thread will be added to over the coming weeks.
This thread will be added to over the coming weeks.
The UK NPM has raised concerns over how the COVID-19 outbreak puts people in detention (and staff) at significant levels of risk in a letter sent to to the Secretary of State for Justice today.
Read our letter to @RobertBuckland here: https://go.aws/2V05qxJ
Read our letter to @RobertBuckland here: https://go.aws/2V05qxJ
We highlight issues raised by some members, including the need to:
- reduce detained populations to mitigate the risk to people in close confinement
- maintain equivalence of care for those in detention
More here: https://go.aws/2V05qxJ
- reduce detained populations to mitigate the risk to people in close confinement
- maintain equivalence of care for those in detention
More here: https://go.aws/2V05qxJ
We refer to new international guidance such as:
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture's advice to NPMs on COVID-19: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/OPCAT/AdviceStatePartiesCoronavirusPandemic2020.pdf
@CoE_CPT Statement of Principles on the treatment of people deprived of their liberty in the context of COVID-19: https://rm.coe.int/16809cfa4b
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture's advice to NPMs on COVID-19: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/OPCAT/AdviceStatePartiesCoronavirusPandemic2020.pdf
@CoE_CPT Statement of Principles on the treatment of people deprived of their liberty in the context of COVID-19: https://rm.coe.int/16809cfa4b
And:
@WHO_Europe guidance on preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/434026/Preparedness-prevention-and-control-of-COVID-19-in-prisons.pdf
See also statement from @UNHumanRights on action needed to protect health & safety of those in detention: https://www.ohchr.org/en/newsevents/pages/media.aspx
@WHO_Europe guidance on preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/434026/Preparedness-prevention-and-control-of-COVID-19-in-prisons.pdf
See also statement from @UNHumanRights on action needed to protect health & safety of those in detention: https://www.ohchr.org/en/newsevents/pages/media.aspx
There are a lot of approaches being taken across the NPM that ensure members are able to carry out preventive monitoring in this challenging time.
Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) are carrying out limited on-site monitoring to prisons & immigration removal centres, where safe & feasible.
IMBs are developing remote methods of monitoring, such as setting up a dedicated email for IRCs.
More here: https://www.imb.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-update-from-imb-national-chair/
IMBs are developing remote methods of monitoring, such as setting up a dedicated email for IRCs.
More here: https://www.imb.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-update-from-imb-national-chair/
@CustodyVisiting are working to balance the importance of monitoring police & TACT custody with the principle of 'do no harm'.
ICVA are sharing new guidance with schemes on monitoring and remote monitoring.
Read the update from ICVA's @TheKatieKempen: https://icva.org.uk/coronavirus-update-from-chief-executive/
ICVA are sharing new guidance with schemes on monitoring and remote monitoring.
Read the update from ICVA's @TheKatieKempen: https://icva.org.uk/coronavirus-update-from-chief-executive/
@ChildrensComm wrote to @RobertBuckland to raise concerns over the rights of children in custody: https://bit.ly/39xn5Sz
They also wrote to @DHSCgovuk & @educationgovuk on concerns over COVID-19 legislation & the safeguards needed to protect children: https://bit.ly/2wNZhfG
They also wrote to @DHSCgovuk & @educationgovuk on concerns over COVID-19 legislation & the safeguards needed to protect children: https://bit.ly/2wNZhfG
@hmipscot have suspended visits from prisons monitors and postponed inspections, but have developed a remote monitoring and inspection framework.
For more on their approach so far, see: https://www.prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk/news
For more on their approach so far, see: https://www.prisonsinspectoratescotland.gov.uk/news
Criminal Justice Inspectorate Northern Ireland have adjusted their inspection programme in light of public health advice.
Fieldwork for the inspection of police custody was recently completed & CJI is now consulting with inspected bodies on the 2020-21 Inspection Programme
Fieldwork for the inspection of police custody was recently completed & CJI is now consulting with inspected bodies on the 2020-21 Inspection Programme
NPM's Scottish Subgroup & Chair @JohnWadham have sent a letter to @HumzaYousaf on the need to uphold the rights of people in detention during this crisis.
Read here: https://go.aws/2ytehAf
@ScotHumanRights @MentalWelfare @hmipscot @hmics @CareInspect & ICVS at @ScotPolAuth
Read here: https://go.aws/2ytehAf
@ScotHumanRights @MentalWelfare @hmipscot @hmics @CareInspect & ICVS at @ScotPolAuth
The letter recommends several steps, such as:
- reducing detained populations to mitigate the risk of maintaining people in close confinement
- ensuring staff & monitoring bodies are supported
- maintaining an equivalence of care in detention
More here: https://go.aws/2ytehAf
- reducing detained populations to mitigate the risk of maintaining people in close confinement
- ensuring staff & monitoring bodies are supported
- maintaining an equivalence of care in detention
More here: https://go.aws/2ytehAf
The Committee on Rights of Persons with Disabilities & UN Special Envoy on Disability and Accessibility have released a joint statement on COVID-19 and persons with disabilities.
Read here: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDStatements.aspx
Read here: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDStatements.aspx
The Lay Observers have developed a new monitoring programme.
Volunteers will ask questions on the treatment of those suspected of COVID-19 and the hygiene of custody suites.
LO have created a free phoneline for people in detention to use, and will be writing weekly reports.
Volunteers will ask questions on the treatment of those suspected of COVID-19 and the hygiene of custody suites.
LO have created a free phoneline for people in detention to use, and will be writing weekly reports.
@MentalWelfare have released a statement on their role & responsibilities during COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3bOyLSu
The Commission refer to their NPM role & international responsibilities. They are exploring how to continue visiting places of detention & deprivation of liberty.
The Commission refer to their NPM role & international responsibilities. They are exploring how to continue visiting places of detention & deprivation of liberty.
Deputy Chief Inspector for Mental Health @CareQualityComm has provided an update on CQC's approach to monitoring during COVID-19.
Read the statement here: https://medium.com/@CareQualityComm/protecting-peoples-safety-equality-and-rights-during-the-covid-19-outbreak-830d62438a10
Read the statement here: https://medium.com/@CareQualityComm/protecting-peoples-safety-equality-and-rights-during-the-covid-19-outbreak-830d62438a10
@CareQualityComm statement:
- MHA reviewers will carry out remote monitoring & visit sites if they identify concerns
- there are many human rights issues, especially in settings that may become more 'closed'
- CQC will work with advocacy groups to gather information
- MHA reviewers will carry out remote monitoring & visit sites if they identify concerns
- there are many human rights issues, especially in settings that may become more 'closed'
- CQC will work with advocacy groups to gather information
