Incentives and earned privileges update – February 2014

We are getting a lot of queries from people having difficulties because of the new IEP scheme. The Prison Service Instruction for the new Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme (PSI 30/2013) was introduced in November 2013 and makes various changes. One important change is that there is a standardised facilities list which applies to all prisons. This is a list of items that governors can choose from to make a facilities list for their prison. Any items that are not on the list are no longer allowed in any prison.

The rule we are most concerned about at the moment is that people in prison cannot have items sent in from families and friends unless there are exceptional circumstances. Previously, families were able to send in certain allowed items such as paper or pens to help people in prison keep in touch with their friends and families. They are also now prevented from sending books and magazines or additional warm clothes and underwear to the prison.

The advice team here has also been contacted by elderly prisoners and people with disabilities who are unable to work and cannot earn enough money to pay for items such as stationery or things to keep them occupied during the long periods of time they are locked in their cells. Previously the families of these prisoners could have sent them a pack of cards, board games, books or magazines to give them something to do. Prisoners are now forced to pay for these items or try to obtain them from under-resourced prison libraries.

Under the new rules the prison governor’s discretion is limited but it is still up to individual governors to decide what counts as exceptional. This means that it is worth asking the governor to review what is allowed, if this is causing difficulties. Items that could be allowed include disability or health aids, items needed for religious observance, stamped addressed envelopes or replacement clothes where there is limited or restricted access to the laundry.

We are also very concerned about how the new rules impact on people working outside in the community on release on temporary licence. We are concerned that they may not get hold of enough clothes to keep them warm during the cold winter weather and have enough appropriate clothes for work environments.

We are encouraging people to let their governors know if they are having difficulties.

There is a process for governors to ask headquarters about amending the list. Paragraph 10.3 in the PSI explains that governors can ask the Deputy Director of Custody in their area to take this forward. Any requests for amendments can go to NOMS headquarters, to be looked at by the Equality, Rights and Decency Group. The facilities list will be reviewed annually but if there is a need for immediate action, they can ask NOMS headquarters to review it sooner.

Since the introduction of the scheme in November the Prison Reform Trust’s advice and information service has responded to many prisoners concerned about its impact on them and their families. We are interested in hearing about your experiences of the new scheme. In particular, please do contact us if you are finding it more difficult to stay in contact with family and friends, to work outside on temporary licence or if you have difficulties obtaining materials for in cell activities.

from insidetime issue February 2014