2. SAFETY, SECURITY AND DIGNITY FOR ALL Record keeping 35 Rule 51 stipulates that the recording of searches in the prisoner file, including the reasons for the searches, the identities of those who conducted them and any results, is essential for monitoring staff compliance with rules and guidelines on search procedures, and can be used to check that searches are not conducted in a discriminatory manner. Record keeping can also act as a safeguard against staff complicity in the smuggling of goods, by ensuring that all prisoners or visitors are subject to searches. 36 The requirement of Rule 51 to keep records of searches links closely with Rule 8, which provides examples of what information should be kept in the prisoner file management system, including information related to behaviour and discipline. For the purposes of accountability and effective monitoring, it is useful if information related to searches, in particular strip searches and body-cavity searches, is not only recorded in the prisoner file but also in a centralized register of searches. 37 All prisoner records should be kept confidential and “made available only to those whose professional responsibilities require access to such records”, as specified by Rule 9. 38 Body searches, in particular strip and invasive body searches, can lead to humiliation and abuse for both male and female prisoners. However, given women’s anatomy, how they are socialized, power relations and the high rate of prior abuse women prisoners suffer, the impact of such searches on women is disproportionately greater than on men. Female prisoners are, therefore, at particular risk of ill‑treatment during body searches.128 The way in which searches of women are conducted may increase the humiliating experience, including if they have to lift their breasts, bend over at the waist and spread their buttocks or if they are menstruating at the time of the search. 39 Specific, gender-sensitive guidelines should, therefore, be in place. Rule 19 of the Bangkok Rules clarifies that personal searches of women and girls should “only be carried out by women staff who have been properly trained in appropriate searching methods and in accordance with established procedures”.129 40 The Bangkok Rules call on authorities to develop alternative screening methods, such as scans, to replace strip searches and invasive body searches, in order to avoid the harmful psychological and possible physical impact of invasive body searches on women.130 41 Male staff should be specifically prohibited from performing any type of personal search on women and girls, including pat-down searches, strip searches and invasive searches. Searches of women should be carried out away from the presence and sight of men. 42 Pregnant women and girls should never be subjected to vaginal searches. 43 Prison management should ensure that there are a sufficient number of trained female staff members available to carry out searches of female prisoners. 2 Searches of female prisoners Searches of children 44 Naturally, all the aforementioned minimum standards and safeguards for searches apply equally to the searches of children in prisons. 45 However, due to the unique vulnerability of children, additional measures might be taken into consideration for such searches, taking into account their age, sex and personality. For example, staff performing such searches should be particularly carefully selected and specifically trained in dealing with children. 128. See for example: Andrea Huber in ‘Women and Children as Victims and Offenders: Background, Prevention, Reintegration: Suggestions for Succeeding Generations (Volume 2)’, Women in Criminal Justice Systems and the Added Value of the UN Bangkok Rules, Springer International Publishing, 2016, para. 5.9. 129. The Bangkok Rules, op. cit., note 28, Rule 19. 130. Ibid, Rule 20. Guidance document on the Nelson Mandela Rules 63