Prison Induction and Safety
Information for External
Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
November 2013
November 2013
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Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
Contents
Preparing to enter a prison ................................................................................................ 1
Visiting ............................................................................................................................ 1
Signing on/off ................................................................................................................. 1
Identification ................................................................................................................... 1
Items permitted in prisons .............................................................................................. 2
Searches ........................................................................................................................ 2
Induction program/security orientation ........................................................................... 2
Behaviour and dress code .............................................................................................. 3
Trafficking ....................................................................................................................... 3
Relationships with prisoners ........................................................................................... 3
Moving about the prison ................................................................................................. 3
Safety equipment – Duress alarms ................................................................................ 4
Confidentiality ................................................................................................................. 4
Communication .............................................................................................................. 4
Personal safety – some key points to remember ............................................................ 4
Prisoner behaviour and situational awareness ............................................................... 5
Infectious diseases ......................................................................................................... 5
Emergency procedures in prisons .................................................................................. 6
Relevant legislation ........................................................................................................ 6
Acknowledgement.............................................................................................................. 7
Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
Preparing to enter a prison
The following information is intended to provide you with a general idea of what to expect
when entering a prison as a visitor for the purpose of your research project.
It should be noted that as protocols for prison visits vary from prison to prison, in addition
to reading this information, you are required to contact your Nominated Contact Person
(NCP)1 prior to entering a prison to ensure you are aware of the systems and procedures
in place upon your arrival at the prison.
Visiting
You will need to contact your NCP to arrange prison visits in connection with your
research project. Your NCP will provide you with the relevant information regarding the
procedure for booking interview rooms etc.
It should be noted that:
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Visiting is by appointment only.
Visiting days and times vary between prisons.
You will need to arrive at the prison at least 45 minutes before your visit starts to
allow time to pass through security.
Any person entering a prison is subject to the provisions of the Prisons Act 1981
and must comply with all lawful instruction given by a prison officer.
All people entering a prison must report to the main entry known as a gatehouse,
or duty office and provide identification (see below) verifying name, company and
purpose for entering.
Signing on/off
Everyone entering or leaving a prison must be logged on a register. The prison duty
officer will direct you in this regard. Failure to sign in or out may put you or prison staff at
risk in the event of an emergency.
Identification
Always bring photo identification when planning to enter a prison. Your driver’s licence
will suffice. Even if you have been to the prison before, you should bring photo ID
because you may not be known to all prison staff. Failure to bring correct identification will
mean you will not be admitted.
1
It is envisaged that all external researchers will be allocated a NCP to assist with the practicalities of
arranging their prison visit regardless of whether a risk management agreement is required.
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Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
Items permitted in prisons
You can only bring items into prisons that are necessary for your work in that prison. You
may take in personal items such as wallets, purses, pagers, glasses, other physical aids
and house/vehicle keys. However, those items must be declared and made available for a
visual examination or search on request. A secure locker is available to store personal
items that are not necessary for your work in that prison (ie wallets, house/vehicle keys).
It is recommended you check with your NCP before you arrive to find out what you can
and cannot take in with you.
You are not permitted to bring the following items into a prison:
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alcohol, drugs or any other contraband
personal carry bags, briefcases and the like
cameras, laptops (or IT devices using infra red/wireless technology), mobile
telephones
sealed packages of any sort unless they have been authorised by the
Superintendent (or delegate) and the contents searched
weapons
valuables or money
recording equipment, including tape recorders and microphones (see note below)
recorded material, including video tapes, DVDs and CDs
Note: The Superintendent of each prison has the authority to determine whether they will
allow the audio taping of interviews within their prison. Therefore prior approval must be
obtained before bringing any recording devices into a prison. The process for obtaining
this approval is set out in the Code of Conduct for Researchers and the Information and
Guidelines for Researchers2.
Searches
The Prisons Act 1981 allows people entering or leaving a prison and their possessions to
be searched. Routine and random searches are conducted at most prisons. Department
staff are professional and will respect your dignity at all times during a search.
Searches may include a personal property search, examination by metal detection
devices, a pat-down search, examination by the passive alert drug dog, or in extreme
circumstances, a strip search.
Induction program/security orientation
The nature and extent of the induction will be determined by the prison’s Security
Manager (or delegated prison officer) based on the circumstances and nature of your visit
i.e. whether you have attended the prison previously, your contact with prisoners (and
location of contact), the presence of a staff escort etc. You may also need to undergo a
2
To be confirmed with R&E Team/REC.
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Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
security orientation of the site. Your NCP and/or the Security Manager will explain what
this involves.
Behaviour and dress code
Visitors wearing revealing or inappropriate clothing will not be allowed to visit prisoners. It
is recommended that researchers ask their NCP with respect to the dress code for the
prison as some items such as hats, gloves and large overcoats may be prohibited.
No articles of any description, unless approved by prior arrangement, are to be passed
between prisoners and visitors. No documents are to be signed during visits without
appropriate prison approval.
Smoking may be permitted in designated areas within the prison. Please refer to signage
and/or information from prison officers.
Trafficking
Unauthorised articles are dangerous in any prison and contraband items can vary
between prisons because of security ratings. Make sure you know the restrictions of the
prison you are entering. In WA prisons, clear plastic bags are issued to visitors and all
items must be placed in them. Keep personal effects to a minimum and declare any
items you are carrying at the gatehouse.
Trafficking refers to any unauthorised movement of any article by staff, prisoners or
visitors in or out of the prison. Do not carry items through the prison gate (entering or
leaving) on behalf of prisoners. Be aware that prisoners can provide plausible and
seemingly genuine reasons for asking for your assistance, but there are appropriate
systems within the prison that allow for the rights of the prisoners and the rights and
protection of people outside the prison.
Trafficking is a serious criminal offence and can result in severe penalties including fines
or imprisonment. It incorporates a range of items including the carrying of written and
verbal messages on behalf of a prisoner in, or out, of the prison. Prisoners have access
to a range of systems for communicating lawfully with the appropriate people.
Relationships with prisoners
If you know someone in the prison, you must declare it up front, even if it is unlikely to
interfere with your work. Forming relationships with prisoners inside is also dangerous.
Keep your work and private life separate.
Moving about the prison
Prisons are team environments, so it is important to let people know where you are going
and, wherever possible, remain in sight of other people. Listen to staff and follow any
instructions. They are there to look after everyone’s safety.
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Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
Safety equipment – Duress alarms
When entering a prison you will be issued with a personal duress alarm and/or a two-way
radio. The duress alarm is attached to a belt. If you are not wearing one, a belt will be
provided to you by a prison officer. Please ensure you are shown how and when to use
this equipment. Training for this type of equipment will form part of the specific prison
orientation when you first arrive.
It is your responsibility to know how and when to use this equipment. Duress alarms and
radios must be carried at all times. Do not leave them on a desk or in a bag.
Confidentiality
While visiting a prison you will become aware of information about prison routine, prison
staff and prisoners. This information is confidential and should not be passed on to
anyone outside the Department.
Communication
How you talk to prisoners will influence the way they behave, so a few things to
remember:
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always talk calmly and never shout or raise your voice
try not to be authoritarian – as this may lead to negative reactions
treat all communication with prisoners with some caution
be friendly but professional at all times
do not make promises you can’t keep.
Personal safety – some key points to remember
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Adhere to appropriate professional dress standards – no revealing clothing, do not
wear colours similar to prisoners, do not leave personal clothing in the prison, keep
jewellery to a minimum.
Don’t divulge personal details, such as your address, phone number or family
details to a prisoner.
Stay in sight of prison staff/officers and report all movements before commencing
the activity – make sure someone knows where you are.
Mobile phones are not permitted within a prison.
If you think you have lost something, report it. Better safe than sorry and staff will
be able to conduct a thorough search.
Be mindful of what you say in front of prisoners.
Report anything you see or hear that may affect the good order and security of the
prison or if something has made you feel uncomfortable.
Any threats, approaches or behaviour by prisoners that are designed to intimidate
or imply a threat must be reported immediately to the nearest prison officer.
Don’t become entangled in prisoner’s personal problems, there are support
services in every prison to assist prisoners in personal or welfare issues.
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Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
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Always be aware of professional boundaries, do not allow an unprofessional or
personal relationship to develop with a prisoner.
Prisoner behaviour and situational awareness
Some prisoners can manipulate their environment and you need to be aware of how to
avoid the potential hazards this creates.
Grooming behaviour
Prisoners will often try to develop friendships with staff or other visitors to build a trusting
relationship, enabling them to create situations where staff members/visitors are at
heightened risk. This is referred to as “grooming behaviour”. You should avoid these
circumstances.
Manipulative behaviour
Some prisoners will ask for favours or preferential treatment. While a favour might be
small, they often escalate and the next one could put you, staff members or the security
of the prison at risk.
Situational awareness
The location of where you sit or stand in a room with a prisoner can directly relate to your
safety. Often the furniture and seating arrangements in a room are designed for safety
reasons.
A few things to remember:
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Maintain a clear pathway between you and any exit
Do not move furniture without careful deliberation
Do not sit with your back to doors or prisoners
Let people know where you are
Ensure other people can see you at all times
If you know you will be with a prisoner(s) for a prolonged period, have someone
check on you regularly.
If you see or hear something that concerns you, or are
involved in an interaction or situation with a prisoner that
makes you feel uncomfortable, report it to a prison officer as
soon as possible.
Infectious diseases
Correctional facilities can pose unique health and safety hazards and risks, particularly in
relation to blood-borne viruses (Hepatitis B, C and HIV infection) and other infectious
diseases. Should a person be exposed to blood or any other body fluid, there is
treatment available which may prevent infection if initiated within 72 hours of the incident.
Please seek assistance from prison medical staff.
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Prison Induction and Safety Information for External Researchers
Research and Evaluation Committee
Emergency procedures in prisons
All prisons have responses for emergency situations such as disturbances, riots, fires or
hostage situations. It is your responsibility to be aware of the emergency procedures
within the prison, these will be covered in detail during your prison orientation.
A few things to remember:
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make sure you know how to use your alarm or radio if you are issued with such
equipment
always know where the nearest prison officer is
know the gatehouse telephone number to the front gate.
The need for emergency action is rare. In most cases, if an emergency occurs you will be
guided by a prison officer who is trained to deal with such situations. Follow all
instructions they issue when emergency procedures are operating.
Relevant legislation
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Prisons Act 1981
Corrective Services Bill
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Prison induction and safety information for external
researchers
Acknowledgement
Please complete this form (in block letters) and forward it to REC by email to
REC@correctiveservices.wa.gov.au
I/We,
Click here to enter text
as the researcher(s)
[insert name]
of the project
Click here to enter text.
[insert project title]
Acknowledge that I/we:
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have read and understand the contents of the Prison Induction and Safety
Information for External Researchers handbook
am/are aware that I/we may be required to complete a prison induction and/or
orientation.
Principal researcher
Signature:
Name:
Date:
/
/
Additional researcher
Signature:
Name:
Date:
/
/
Please attach additional pages for any additional researchers
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