IPCO Annual Report 2018
56
Her Majesty’s Prison
and Probation Service
44
Northern Ireland
Prison Service
CHIS
Directed surveillance
4
Scottish Prisons Service
2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Figure 18: Use of CHIS and surveillance in prisons, 2018
14.11
During our inspection at HMPPS, we were pleased to note that many of our
recommendations from 2017 had been discharged. However, we were disappointed
that compliance levels remain low. We highlighted the need for a more rigorous
process, particularly around the management of CHIS which are particularly high risk in
this environment.
14.12
We continue to recommend that relevant and meaningful policies and Prison Service
Instructions must be put in place to enable a more complaint culture across the service.
14.13
We were concerned about the operational competence of Authorising Officers (AOs), which
appears to result from a lack of adequate training. We note that this is currently under
review and look forward to seeing those carrying out this fundamental role being able to
develop their competence within an improved structure with the right level of support.
14.14
HMPPS have developed their Digital Investigations Unit and have targeted the illegal use
of social networking sites by prisoners. We were persuaded of the value of this work in
preventing illegal activity but have requested assurance that this work is being conducted
in a compliant manner. We will review this in 2019 and scrutinise whether appropriate
internal oversight is being applied.
Interception
14.15
We inspect each prison’s use of interception provisions, including how sensitive legally
privileged conversations are safeguarded. To make an external phone call, prisoners use a
pin-phone system that requires a unique pin number being entered prior to the call being
made. The pin-phone system is controlled centrally in each prison by an electronic system,
while the monitoring of letters and emails has to be done manually. Before issuing a pin
code, prison staff will explain the interception process to new prisoners. Prisoners are
responsible for recording their legal or confidential contacts, which allows the prison to
filter and ensure that they do not monitor sensitive communications. In England and Wales,
the Prison Service Instructions (PSIs), the National Security Framework and the Public
Protection Manual provide detailed guidance on how interception should be carried out.
97