Auditors

[Fedster + 1,307]

Chiefs say there will be new guidance for officers.

Chiefs are developing new guidance for officers after an independent watchdog raised concerns about female detainees being left in cells without sanitary protection.

The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) published an open letter to the Home Secretary Amber Rudd lambasting police for “routinely ignoring” the needs of menstruating women held in cells.

Current practice may even violate the human rights of female detainees under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010, the letter, signed by ICVA chief executive Katie Kempen, argues.

“Women are frequently left without the assistance of female officers, without access to adequate and hygienic sanitary protection, or facilities for washing and changing; and inadequate consideration is given to menstruation by officers in the exercise of detainees’ risk management.

“At its most stark, this can mean women left in paper suits without their underwear and without sanitary protection.”

The ICVA had sought legal advice on the matter and urged Ms Rudd exercise her powers as secretary of state to conduct a full equality impact assessment of current national policy and amend PACE Code C.

Women detainees should be privately asked about their needs during the book-in process and a fresh hygiene pack should be offered without request every six hour period in custody, the letter says.

Provisions must be made for female detainees to change protection in private, unobserved, as well as hand-washing facilities and sensitivity must be shown during strip searches, it adds.

“No women or girl should be left in indignity by police officers for want of a difficult conversation or an inexpensive box of tampons…swift action is necessary to ensure that the dignity of women and girls is adequately protected by the guidance offered nationally to individual officers and police forces,” the letter states.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for custody Assistant Chief Constable Nev Kemp said: “In consultation with women's groups and other organisations, we are in the process of developing comprehensive guidance for officers on how to deal with these sensitive and often complex cases.

"The police service is committed to upholding the highest custody standards to ensure that all detainees are treated in the right and proper way. We regularly facilitate unannounced, independent inspections of custody units and use the feedback to improve our approach.”

But she insisted that “only a very small number of detainees” have been affected by inadequate sanitary protection.

A Home Office spokesman said: “Everyone who is held in custody should be treated with dignity and have their needs respected. 

"That is why we are working closely with the Independent Custody Visiting Association and the National Police Chiefs’ Council to understand where improvements can be made on this issue.”

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[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

I can no longer read the stories from police Oracle as they appear redacted to me, but I have read the story elsewhere.

It's seems like bull poo to me. Our custody suit is fully stocked with all manner of things people might need, including sanitary wear.

People aren't given paper suites for a kicks, there's usually a reason why they are given one. In a situation where someone might use clothing to harm themselves dignity often has to be prioritised a little lower over safety. Whilst I haven't personally heard of anyone trying to choke themselves on a tampon it wouldn't be a surprise if they did.

Custody isn't always the most comfortable place. Function outweighs comfort. I've not known anyone denied access to basic needs without good reason, at least in my force.

[Hyphen + 693]

For a long time now female detainees have been asked if they would like to speak with a female officer, they have access to the custody nurse and there are such items kept in custody as well as shower facilities on request. I have to say these days people are treated very well in custody suites.

I think nowadays if someone has been arrested then it is pretty much a last resort anyway, if that person then kicks off or is trying to self harm etc then unfortunately it won’t be pleasant for all involved including the detainee.

I am all for respecting people’s human rights and treating people right, but we also need to accept that custody isn’t really designed to be a hotel.

Edited January 6, 2018 by Hyphen

[David + 4,981]

Man or woman, the simplest option would be not to place yourself in the position of getting arrested in the first place.

[Mac7 808]

I’m glad others have said similar to what I’m going to say.

 

When I saw the headline I thought “we’ve been doing this for years.” Either we are pioneers of female detention or we do what everyone else does. I think the issue of feminine hygiene and talking to a female member of staff is part of our booking in procedure for female prisoners. Where has the oracle got this story from or is it a slow news day in their office.

 

[Zulu 22 + 4,630]

An issue which does not exist and never has. There have always been the correct facilities for females in custody. It must have been a slow news day or an issue brought up by somebody who had no idea of procedure.