Hampshire Police Authority

24 September, 2002

Hampshire Independent Custody Visiting Scheme - January-June, 2002

Report of the Clerk

1. Introduction

1.1. This report reviews the progress of the Hampshire Independent Custody Visiting Scheme for the period January to June, 2002 and attaches as Appendices the six monthly progress reports from the 4 Panel Convenors.

2. The Current Position

2.1. Following a media campaign during May, interviews for new Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) were held over a three day period at the end of June. A total of 22 people are now awaiting training before they commence their six month probationary period. The Panel Convenors have been involved at all stages of the process and will play an important role in mentoring the new ICVs when they commence their visits.

2.2. There are currently 65 ICVs in the Hampshire Scheme who have carried out 219 custody visits during the period January to June, 2002 which is 17 more visits than during the same period in 2001. Bearing in mind the number of vacancies, this is a significant achievement.

3. Police Reform Act 2002

3.1. Clause 51 "Independent Custody Visitors for Places of Detention" of the Police Reform Act 2002 now makes it a statutory requirement for every police authority to:-

(a) Make arrangements for detainees to be visited by persons appointed under the arrangements ("independent custody visitors"); and


(b) Keep those arrangements under review and from time to time revise them as they think fit.

3.2. As expected, the legislation states that persons appointed must be "independent" of both the Police Authority and the Police which, in effect, means that when this section of the Act is brought into force, Members of the Authority will no longer be able to act as ICVs. This is regrettable as Members have, since the establishment of a Scheme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, played a full part in ensuring the success of the arrangements. The Authority will continue to receive six monthly update reports on the progress of the Scheme and other ways will be found of involving Members, as and when appropriate, perhaps through invitation to the Annual Seminar held at Netley and to the quarterly meetings of Panels.

3.3. The benefits of putting Schemes on a statutory footing, however, are that the importance of Custody Visiting is underlined, it ensures consistency of application across England and Wales, and raises the profile of Schemes generally.

4. Independent Custody Visiting Association - Scheme Administrators' Conference

4.1. This year's Scheme Administrators' Conference was held in Birmingham on 27 June, 2002 and consisted of a presentation by John Woodcock from the Home Office on statutory custody visiting, and workshops on cultural diversity/awareness and practical demonstrations on the new administration software, shortly to be circulated to all Scheme Administrators. In addition, there was a session on the recently issued self-assessment toolkit for the evaluation of Schemes.

4.2. As usual, the event provided a good opportunity to meet colleagues from other police authorities and discuss current issues facing Administrators.

5. ICV Annual Conference, Netley - 24 July, 2002

5.1. Approximately 40 ICVs attended this year's seminar which was held at Netley on 24 July, 2002. The day commenced with a welcome by Mr. P. Jacobs, Assistant Chief Constable, who underlined the importance placed upon the scheme by both the Authority, which committed resources to it, and by the Constabulary which supported and welcomed it as a way of instilling public confidence and ensuring good police practices.

5.2. Chief Supt. G. Wyeth then gave an update on custody matters generally and this was followed by a presentation on the work of Appropriate Adults by Mr. K. Mayo, the Manager of the MIND Southampton and New Forest Appropriate Adult Scheme. The morning concluded with a presentation on developments in fingerprint technology by Mr. T. Lowe, Manager of the Fingerprint Department at Netley and, following lunch, the afternoon session consisted of a refresher training event delivered by Ian Smith, the Chief Executive of the ICVA.

6. ICVA - National Conference

6.1. The ICVA's Annual Conference will be held in London on 2 November, 2002 and will be attended, as usual, by ICVs from the Hampshire Scheme. This year's conference will provide an opportunity for delegates to listen to key speakers and network with colleagues from around the Country, rather than attend training style workshops.

7. Conclusion

7.1. The Authority is asked to note that none of the custody visits carried out during the period January to June, 2002 highlighted any significant areas of concern and no breaches of the Code of Practice governing the treatment and welfare of detainees were detected.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report be noted.

4fR210802