TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION A list of topics is provided in the Manual. Methodology: The trainees should be divided into small groups for discussion. Each group should be given two topics and should prepare a brief report to the whole group at the end of the session. Prison staff are required to deal with some of the most difficult people in any society on a daily basis. The topics in this section deal with strategies for dealing with such people in a safe, efficient and humane manner. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: 39. – Consistency in the application of rules suggests fairness; 39. – The behaviour of prisoners, as with all individuals, does not always conform exactly to the rules as laid down; 39. – Staff need training and guidance, which should involve discussion, in the application of the rules, to allow them to deal with this fact; 39. – Being a prison officer is difficult and there are no short cuts to doing the job properly; it is not acceptable to allow prisoners to do whatever they wish as long as they are quiet and there appears to be order. That is not an example of staff being in control; 39. – Prison staff must be very visible and involved in prison activity and be careful not to show preference or to engage in collusion or gossip; 39. – There should be publicly displayed policies on bullying that apply to everyone in the prison, making it clear what a victim of, or a witness to, bullying should do; 39. – Bullying should be discussed openly and openly labelled as cowardly; 39. – Proven bullies should be dealt with by removing or isolating them, not their victims; 39. – The best tool of a teacher is example; experienced staff can demonstrate best practice by consistently showing their new recruits how to do the job; 39. – Prison staff must acquire self-confidence in order to do their job properly, particularly in the face of provocation from prisoners; 39. – Some prisoners may be well qualified and able to make a contribution to enhance the regime in particular areas. Under no circumstances must they be given, or be allowed to acquire, control over other prisoners; control is the prerogative of the staff. CASE STUDIES Methodology: These may be conducted either as a role-play or as a round-table discussion by members of the training team who have practical experience in these issues. Points to be highlighted/suggested areas for discussion: CASE STUDY 1 39. – It is important not to undermine the performance of the staff member who ran the unit before. Rather, the task should be handled as the next stage in the development of the unit; 89