PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS These should be presented to the trainees, allowing the opportunity for comment and discussion after each one. It is particularly important in this session that the information provided is taken back to the jurisdictions. TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION A list of topics is provided in the Manual. Methodology: The trainees should be divided into small groups for discussion. The topics chosen for this exercise are quite sensitive. It is essential that experienced members of the training team are on hand to assist with the discussions. It would be useful to set sufficient time aside for a reporting back session. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: 39. – The approach taken by the prison director should be a positive one. Staff will usually take their lead from their immediate superior; 39. – The director should present the inspection report as a welcome audit of the way things are, set against the way they ought to be; 39. – Analysis of the report will highlight the elements that can be addressed within existing resources and budgets, and those that cannot; 39. – A series of consultations can be set up with the staff, during which they can be invited to make helpful and constructive suggestions about implementation; 39. – A programme of improvements can then be established; 39. – At the same time, the prison director must inform the prison authorities very firmly what aspects of the inspection report fall to them to resolve; 39. – A prison director might seek an independent inspection if the authorities refused to assist in improving conditions within the prison which the director considered to be dangerous or threatening to security; 39. – An independent inspection is likely to be unhelpful if the authorities do not recognize its standing. CASE STUDY Methodology: A round-table discussion is recommended, with trainees joining one or two experts from the training team. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: 39. – It is advisable to have a mix of people serving on such a body to ensure knowledge of the prison system alongside broad experience, good judgement and public standing; 39. – In order that the work of this body should be recognized and taken heed of, arrangements should be made for its findings in the form of prison inspection reports. These should be published; 131