PRISON MANAGEMENT to psychoactive substances, including synthetic cannabis – in the UK, nurses have passed out from exposure to the drug when responding to emergencies, and similar problems have arisen for prison staff in the US.315 Perhaps not surprisingly, there is a high turnover rate amongst prison staff in many countries, reflecting low morale. Female prison officers are a small minority and face harassment in their day-to-day work, from both prisoners and other staff.316 A government report on the situation of women in prison in India, which found that only eight per cent of prison staff were women, called for the hiring of women staff as a priority.317 Corruption amongst prison officers continues to be a problem. For instance, there were reports of prisoners exchanging privileges for sexual favours in the US.318 In South Africa, the Correctional Services Department fired more than 100 officials for smuggling contraband into prisons and ‘colluding with inmates’ over the course of a year.319 A recent report in Queensland, Australia, by the Crime and Corruption Commission looked at some of the risk factors for corruption in prisons and found The use of restraints Instruments of restraint are defined as external mechanical devices designed to restrict or immobilise the movement of a person’s body without injuring them. They include handcuffs, straps and irritant sprays (sometimes referred to as ‘pepper spray’).327 The use of such instruments may be necessary – under strictly controlled conditions – to provide security and order in prisons; for example, to protect prisoners from inter-prisoner violence, for self-defence, to prevent self-harm and suicide, and to prevent escape. Even though they may be permitted, strict rules should regulate the use of restraints since they also pose a high risk in terms of torture and ill-treatment, due to their intrusive nature and the risk of causing pain and humiliation. Even stricter regulations should apply when they are used for vulnerable people, in particular pregnant women and children. Both the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and the UN Committee against 30 | that the use of excessive force, overcrowding and inappropriate relationships inside the prison system put the system at risk of ‘significant corruption’.320 While poor morale is rife amongst many long-serving prison staff, there have been attempts in some countries to recruit a new cadre of prison staff with a more positive outlook. The Unlocked Graduate Scheme in the UK employs young graduates in the prison service while they are studying for a post-graduate qualification. The two-year programme started in 2016 and saw ‘dramatic growth’ in applications in 2018;321 women made up 69 per cent of applicants joining the scheme.322 In New Zealand, the Corrections Association launched a new initiative, Stand TALR (originally developed by the prison officers’ union in Western Australia), to help prison staff cope with mental health issues and stress.323 Designed by and for prison staff, the initiative has helped staff cope with the aftermath of violence and intimidation and with working with prisoners who self-harm. The programme is due to be rolled out widely across the prison system in New Zealand.324 During 2018, the Council of Europe continued its work on drafting detailed guidelines for the recruitment, selection, training and development of prison and probation staff. These guidelines are expected to be adopted by the end of April 2019.325 Also in 2018, the ICPR launched the third edition of A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management: Handbook for Prison Staff, which provides invaluable guidance for prison staff on the implementation of the international standards at an operational level.326 RECOMMENDATION 15 Staff should be carefully selected, properly trained (both prior to and during their service), and fully supported so that they are able to work to the highest professional standards. They should also be held accountable, and staff found to have violated laws or policies should be subject to disciplinary proceedings and, where appropriate, criminal proceedings. Torture have condemned methods of restraint that are inherently inhuman, degrading or painful or which have such effects.328 The Nelson Mandela Rules state that ‘the use of chains, irons or other instruments of restraint which are inherently degrading or painful shall be prohibited’.329 Prison monitoring bodies are increasingly recognising the importance of accurate documentation of the use of weapons and restraints. In June 2018, the Omega Research Foundation and the University of Exeter launched Monitoring Weapons and Restraints in Places of Detention: A Practical Guide.330 This resource collates the existing standards around the use of firearms, less lethal weapons and restraints in places of detention. It also provides guidance on how to document these weapons and instruments, what to ask, and key observations to be made. This guidance is applicable to a wide range of detention contexts, including prisons, healthcare settings and other places of detention.331 Penal Reform International and Thailand Institute of Justice | Global Prison Trends 2019