Prison staff and their training

The way prison staff treat prisoners is central to human rights observance:

• Without appropriate behaviour by staff other reform measures will flounder. Yet prison staff training is often non-existent, minimal or inappropriate.
• Changing staff attitudes and behaviour is usually central to the success of prison reform.
• Training is often seen as the solution. But without a visible commitment from the senior management and the establishment of a clear ethical framework for the prison service such training may well be ineffective.
• Human rights training is often seen as a low-cost reform measure. However, its effectiveness depends on how it is delivered, by whom, and within what context.
• Done inappropriately it can be counter-productive.
• Training that involves freeing up prison staff to control their work and make decisions is most likely to reap benefits.
• Other factors important to staff such as their employment conditions and access to redress if their rights are denied must also be given attention.

• The crucial importance of staff
• Training and attitude change
• Training is a problem for many systems
• The effectiveness of human rights training
• Who should deliver human rights training to prison staff?
• Where should training be delivered?
• Effective training activities
• Other staff issues
• References

Kings College London – International Centre for Prison Studies

International Centre for Prison Studies (2004). Guidance Note 8 Prison staff and their training. King’s College London. GN8 6.indd (prisonstudies.org)