Briefing for visit to Belmarsh prison
on 21 November 2006
from Her Majesty's Prison Service
GENERAL
Between December 2001 and 2004 a number of persons
were detained and held in prison custody under Part IV of the
Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001. The majority were
placed at Belmarsh prison although a few were located to Woodhill
prison mainly due to family connections being more northern.
2. As the reason given for the detention
was that they presented a national security risk, that were classified
for prison purposes as Category A "standard" escape
risk prisoners a few days after their arrival. Any person coming
into prison custody, whether on remand or on conviction, is allocated
a security category. For those convicted this will range from
A to D, with Category A requiring placement in a high security
prison and Category D generally being allocated to an open prison.
For those on remand they are treated as either unallocated or
provisional Category A. Given the history of their detention Category
A conditions were considered appropriate.
3. Due to the need for this group to attend
court hearings (Special Immigration Appeals Commission—SIAC)
or at least to be able to consult regularly with their legal advisers,
they remained at these two prisons until released on control orders
or, in the case of some, transferred to a special hospital.
4. The Security Category was occasionally
reviewed to ensure it remained appropriate. Throughout their time
in prison custody, the detainees were subject to the application
of Prison Rules.
BELMARSH PRISON
Access to legal advisers
5. With the exception of initial arrival
day at Belmarsh of those detained, all had access to their legal
advisers while at the prison. The problems encountered on the
day of arrival were quickly rectified so that the issue never
arose again.
6. The detainees were able to contact their
legal adviser in confidence under Rule 39 of the Prison Rules.
Under this rule a letter to or from a detainee to their legal
adviser would not be stopped or opened by a member of the prison
staff unless there were suspicions about it eg containing an unauthorised
item. If a letter was to be opened, then such opening would be
undertaken by the Governor in the presence of the prisoner. Even
then the letter should not be read. A person is also able to telephone
their solicitor. Again such calls are in confidence and the content
not subject to any form of monitoring.
7. The detainees were able to have frequent
visits with their legal advisers. Legal visits at Belmarsh take
place every weekday. The only restriction is availability of space,
taking into account the need for other prisoners to have access
to their legal advisers. For this reason advance bookings are
required.
Access to family/friends
8. All prisoners (including the detainees)
were able to speak to members of their family/friends by telephone
(incoming calls not permitted) or can write and receive letters.
Such contacts were liable to monitoring.
9. Prisoners (including detainees) were
able to receive regular visits from family and friends. The only
restriction is that for those classified Category A, the proposed
visitor first has to become an Approved Visitor. This is a simple
procedure but one necessary for reasons of security. All those
detained received visits.
Location in prison
10. After a short spell in the High Security
Unit, the detainees were located at Belmarsh on Houseblock 4.
They were subject to the same regime applicable to all prisoners
on the Houseblock. This regime permitted daily exercise (with
others) in the open air subject to weather conditions permitting,
association, attendance at education, attendance at religious
worship, attendance at the library etc. On average the detainees
were out of their cell for around seven hours per day.
Meals
11. In common with all other prisons, Belmarsh
produced a variety of meals to meet the religious, dietary or
medical needs of individual prisoners. Prisoners (including detainees)
were provided with a pre-select menu sheet for the following week,
from which they could select their choice of food. Menu sheets
highlighted appropriate meals such as those containing halal meat.
In addition prisoners (including detainees) were able to purchase
additional food items from their own funds, via the prison canteen.
They also had access to a kitchen area so as to cook their own
food should they wish to do so.
Clothing
12. Prisoners (including detainees) were
entitled to wear their own clothing. They were also able to purchase
additional items via the prison canteen. The only restriction
would be where any clothing conflicted with security requirements
such as in colour or design, or the quantity was greater than
could be permitted in the cell.
Cellular accommodation
13. Due to their security category the detainees
were accommodated in single cells, as are all Category A prisoners.
Each cell has a toilet and washbasin. It contains a bed, cupboard,
table and chair. Prisoners are able to store personal property
in the cell subject to an overall maximum size limit. They are
also able to have a radio/CD and hire from the prison a television
(£1 per week). Prisoners could make arrangements to obtain
daily newspapers, magazines, and books suitable within a prison
environment.
Education
14. The detainees were able to undertake
a wide range of educational courses, studying for various qualifications
as well as undertaking recreational activities. While the detainees
were at Belmarsh a number undertook pottery courses although those
classes had to be stopped for operational reasons. A number of
the detainees did painting and cookery, while other studied English
and computers.
Medical facilities
15. Belmarsh has a health care centre staffed
by qualified doctors and nurses which is operational 24-hours
a day. It has an in-patient unit and close contact with the local
hospitals. In the event a prisoner develops a medical problem
that cannot be dealt with at the prison, arrangements would be
made for that person to be treated at the nearest hospital under
NHS arrangements.
16. Prisoners have access to psychiatric
and psychological services, physiotherapist services and dentistry
services. In the case of one particular detainee who had substantial
disability problems, Belmarsh obtained an agency Health Care Assistant
to assist with his activities of daily living such as washing,
toileting, dressing and eating.
17. Where the prisoner and/or his legal
adviser wishes to have an independent medical examination payable
by themselves, Belmarsh will make the necessary arrangements to
facilitate this.
Religion
18. The need of prisoners to engage in religious
worship is recognised. Arrangements are made so that prisoners
are able to comply with requirements of their religion eg Ramadan.
For Muslim prisoners Friday prayers are arranged by the prison
Imam. Subject to any security issues all Muslim prisoners (including
detainees) were allowed to attend Friday prayers. Where this was
not possible, the Imam would make appropriate alternative arrangements.
Her Majesty's Prison Service
November 2006
| 
