BAHA-65 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Remove Conditioning Terminology

Recommendation

'Conditioning' should cease to be used as an approved Chicksands or HUMINT term. The term is dangerously ambiguous since it can be used to refer to unlawful means of putting pressure on a prisoner as well the intended meaning of the legitimate use of existing pressures.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
The Ministry of Defence accepted this recommendation, confirming that the term 'conditioning' was removed from approved Chicksands or HUMINT terminology due to its dangerous ambiguity. The most recent public update on this action was in September 2012. No further specific published evidence detailing the updated terminology or related policy documents has been identified since that date.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 18 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation asks for cultural or behavioural change, which is difficult to verify objectively. The assessment is based on policy commitments, not measured outcomes.
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Accepted
Accepted Ministry of Defence
08 Sep 2011

Accepted. The term 'conditioning' has been removed from approved terminology.

Read Full Response
Source
Report The Report of the Baha Mousa Inquiry - Volume III 08 Sep 2011
Responsible Bodies
Ministry of Defence Primary
Recommendation age 14.5 yrs
Last formal update 4945 days ago