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Cell redecorated in response to HMIC report.

(L-R) Sergeant Dave Williams, Superintendent Katy Barrow-Grint, Former Chief Inspector Dave Cherrington, Inspector Dave Entwistle

Date - 12th August 2018
By - Sophie Garrod - Police Oracle

1 Comment

 

Thames Valley Police is trialling a new colour scheme in one of its custody cells in Abingdon.

The force decided to paint one of its cells pink to make it a less threatening environment for children being held in custody following recommendations from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

A HMIC expectations document was sent out prior to an inspection which stated the welfare of children should be promoted where possible, which prompted the force to transform the originally white cell, according to a TVP spokesman.

The original idea came from the force lead for custody, Chief Inspector Cherrington, after observing cells are painted in different colours in Switzerland and the USA.

When asked how it will gauge the success of the trial, it said one of the custody sergeants has volunteered to monitor the use of the cell and speak with children who have been placed in it.

Its use could also be extended to include vulnerable adults if deemed beneficial by mental health professionals, a force spokesman added.

Superintendent Katy Barrow-Grint, head of criminal justice said: “Being held in custody can be a difficult experience and painting the cell in a more calming colour provides a less threatening environment, which can be especially important for children when they have to be detained. We hope that it will make a difference to those that use it.”

The newly painted cell in the force’s Abingdon custody suite is affectionately known as “Cherrington’s Cell” in honour of Chief Insp Cherrington, who has been head of custody for the last eight years and is retiring after 30 years.

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[Zulu 22 + 4,575]

Children held in custody in a cell?  To be honest it is not a new idea, I have known several painted a shade of pink especially the female and juvenile block.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

Cells were painted pink some 20 years ago because it was said the colour made people less aggressive and more relaxed.

[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

I'm sure we have different coloured cells for juveniles, we even have a couple with televisions in them (behind a screen). Still, someone gets a pay rise or promotion I suppose.