ESSEX PAPER 3: INITIAL GUIDANCE ON THE INTERPRETATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UN NELSON MANDELA RULES of prisoners in cases where it exceeded these boundaries. All bodies emphasised the prohibition of self-governance in prisons as enshrined in the SMR.406 Some have also highlighted the link to corruption, stating that corruption was ‘evidenced by the almost complete control of certain places of detention by organised criminal groups’.407 The experts noted that in an atmosphere of corruption it is likely that dangerous goods will to be brought into prison in exchange for bribes, undermining safety and security. Adequate prisoner-staff ratio The Essex group highlighted that the ability to exercise effective control is intrinsically linked to the availability of sufficient resources, in particular an adequate staff-prisoner ratio (day and night). It requires qualified and well-trained staff (see Rules 74-80).408 (See Chapter 2, Prison management.) The experts noted that adequate numbers of staff need to be present at all times, including overnight. Incidents often occur during the night, a time when usually there are fewer staff on duty and often also more junior staff members. Separation and classification The Essex group recalled that the separation of prisoners (Rule 11) is one means of providing safety. The separation of women from men, and of juveniles from adults makes it easier to care for their specific needs, but it is also a key measure to protect them from violence and exploitation, including sexual violence. Classification and risk assessments of prisoners are another key tool, seeking to differentiate levels of security applied for different prisons and prisoners. à F or more detail on classification and risk assessments, see Chapter 2, Prison management Diligent file management The Essex group stressed the importance of proper prison file management as a tool for ensuring safety and security. Documentation of classification and risk assessments, behaviour and discipline and the imposition of any disciplinary sanctions (Rule 8(b), (c) and (e)) ensures that where there are staff changes or the transfers of prisoners to other facilities, relevant information is available about risks associated with each individual prisoner. Dynamic security and conflict prevention Lessons learned over the last 60 years include the acknowledgement that techniques of conflict resolution and mediation not only ensure human rights compliance, but also are more effective and efficient in providing for the safety and security of prisoners and prison staff. à F or further detail, see Chapter 2, Prison Management. Special Rapporteur on Torture report 2013, A/68/295, para. 47. SPT Report on visit to Mali, CAT/OP/MLI/1, para. 61. 406  Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Brazil, 5 July 2012, CAT/OP/BRA/1, para. 57 (SPT Report on visit to Brazil). 407  See also UN Committee against Torture, Observations of the Committee against Torture on the revision of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMR), 16 December 2013, CAT/C/51/4, para. 15 (CAT SMR revision observations). 408  Penal Reform International and the Essex Human Rights Centre | 104