Improving the handling of prisoners’ property and property complaints in prisons
Today the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman have released two more Policy into Practice publications, highlighting learning and key policy requirements for prison staff around correctly handling prisoners’ property and property complaints.
These are the latest instalments of our property series following the recent publication of our property complaints Learning Lessons Bulletin (published on 24 March).
Read the handling of prisoners’ property PiP here
Read the handling of property complaints PiP here
The PPO carries out investigations into prisoner complaints, and property is consistently the most common category of complaint that we see. In the 2023 – 2024 financial year, we received 1,164 complaints about property.
Ombudsman Adrian Usher said:
“The better handling of property and complaints would avoid causing unnecessary distress for prisoners.
Prison staff must take property handling and complaints more seriously and approach these issues with a proactive and problem-solving attitude.
We know property is important and meaningful to prisoners, so it is important that staff do all they can to help avoid issues with property.”
A summary of how prisoners’ property should be handled effectively
If prisoner’s property can be handled appropriately in the first instance, then there will be fewer complaints to deal with.
Staff should remember:
Property cards
- Ensure entries are sufficiently detailed to help identify property later
- Where changes are made to a prisoner’s property card, ensure prisoners have an opportunity to check it is correct
Transfers
- The discharging prison must maintain a record of any excess property which is sent on
- All property leaving the prison must be checked against the prisoner’s property card
Cell clearances
- Prisoners should be given sufficient time to pack their own possessions where this is possible
- The Cell Clearance Certificate must be kept with the prisoner’s property card
Destruction of unattributed and confiscated property
- Unattributable or confiscated property must be retained at the prison for a minimum of three months after it is found before being disposed of
Policy into Practice: Handling of property complaints
If staff do receive complaints from prisoners about property, they should remember that:
- Prisoners should receive a response to their complaint within 5 days. Provide an interim reply where this is not possible.
- Investigate property complaints thoroughly to avoid further complaints about the issue and distress.
- For complaints about property missing during transfers, avoid sending complaints to other prisons and aim to solve the complaint for the prisoner.