Essex Police had a strong commitment to improving their custody
provision, and progress was evident, said Peter Clarke, Chief
Inspector of Prisons, and Dru Sharpling, HM Inspector of
Constabulary. Today they published the report of an unannounced
inspection.
The inspection was part of a national programme of joint
inspections of police custody which monitor the treatment of and
conditions for detainees and aim to prevent
ill-treatment. Essex police custody was last inspected
in 2013 when inspectors found that detainees were treated well,
but that much of the estate needed refurbishment and staff
shortages were having an effect.
On this more recent inspection, inspectors visited the custody
suites at Basildon, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester,
Grays, Harlow, Southend and Stansted. Since 2013, the
custody estate had reduced and four suites had closed
permanently. Conditions at the newer suites were good but the
environment at some older suites remained poor.
Inspectors were pleased to find that:
- staff continued to treat detainees well and were sensitive
when dealing with vulnerable people or those from minority
backgrounds;
- management of the use of force in custody was good;
- overall, the standard of health care was adequate; and
- in most cases, the force placed sufficient emphasis on
ensuring that detainees were released safely.
Inspectors were, however, concerned to find that:
- the force was poorly served by its IT system, which custody
sergeants found bureaucratic and difficult to use;
- inspectors identified several potential ligature points,
which required attention;
- the force did not comply with all procedures in relation to
the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE); and
- despite the force developing relationships with key
stakeholders, too many vulnerable adults were brought into
custody as a place of safety and too many children were held
overnight when alternative accommodation should have been
provided.
Peter Clarke and Dru Sharpling said:
“The force impressed us with being very open to and prepared to
learn from scrutiny. A recent peer review of custody provision by
colleagues from two external forces had been thorough and
exacting, producing relevant recommendations. The force had
started to act on this comprehensive report. While our own
findings showed some progress in most areas, the internal work
already being carried out reassured us that Essex police had a
strong commitment to improving further the treatment and
conditions for detainees held in its custody.”
Notes to editors:
1. A copy of the full
report can be found on the HM Inspectorate of Prisons website
from 11 August 2017 at: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons
2. HM Inspectorate of
Prisons is an independent inspectorate, inspecting places of
detention to report on conditions and treatment, and promote
positive outcomes for those detained and the public.
3. Her Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) is an independent
inspectorate, inspecting policing in the public interest, and
rigorously examines the efficiency and effectiveness of police
forces to tackle crime and terrorism, improve criminal justice
and raise confidence. HMIC inspects all 43 police forces
in England and Wales.
4. Custody suites are
occupied by those suspected of committing crime, and may also be
used to temporarily accommodate people in need of medical
attention or intervention under Section 136 of the Mental Health
Act 1983. This enables a police officer to remove, from a public
place, someone who they believe to be suffering from a mental
disorder and in need of immediate care and control, and take them
to a place of safety – for example, a health or social care
facility, or the home of a relative or friend. In
exceptional circumstances (for example if the person’s behaviour
would pose an unmanageably high risk to others), the place of
safety may be police custody. Section 136 also states that the
purpose of detention is to enable the person to be assessed by a
doctor and an approved mental health professional (for example a
specially trained social worker or nurse), and for the making of
any necessary arrangements for treatment or care.
5. This joint inspection
was carried out from 27 February – 10 March 2017.
