Prison legal correspondence security
Absence of a national, secure protocol for verifying legal correspondence in prisons, leading to exploitation of privileged mail.
240 items
7 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#182 - Develop and enforce national secure protocol for verifying prison legal correspondence
HMPPS must rapidly develop and enforce a national, secure protocol for verifying legal correspondence (e.g., mandatory secure digital portals or standardised, verifiable bar-code systems) across all prisons to eliminate the exploitation of privileged mail. (Recommendation, Paragraph 80)
Matched on
terms: correspondence, legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
90match
201101139 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Governor's response to his complaint was unreasonable. Mr C complained about a member of staff opening his legal mail and also about a member of staff throwing away stamps that had been used on a parcel sent to him. After making enquiries with the prison, we were satisfied the...
Matched on
terms: correspondence, legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
90match
201402429 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that prison staff opened an item of post from his solicitor, which they should have passed to him unopened. Post in prison must be strictly handled, so that prisoners do not receive inappropriate items. Incoming mail is, therefore, opened by prison officers. However, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) recognise that some post should be regarded...
Matched on
terms: correspondence, legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
86match
201101004 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because a member of staff refused to allow a solicitor to send a legal fax to the prison. He said this was contrary to published Scottish Prison Service (SPS) policy. In addition to this, Mr C said that the prison did not tell him that they had refused to accept the...
Matched on
terms: correspondence, legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
78match
201201776 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained to the prison about a delay in receiving correspondence from his solicitor. The complaint was resolved to his satisfaction, but he was unhappy with the time taken to respond. The prison rules say that, at stage one, a manager should offer to discuss the complaint within 48 hours of receipt, and...
Matched on
terms: correspondence, prison
PFD report
73match
Michal Netyks
Prison Custody Officers lack training for delivering deportation papers, and foreign national prisoners have unequal access to legal advice. Mezzanine safety at HMP Altcourse and the Home Office's conduct during proceedings were also concerns.
Matched on
terms: legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
73match
201306259 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison did not handle his mail appropriately. He said he was given three items of legal mail several days after they were posted, and suspected the prison had held his mail back longer than they should have. Mr C also complained that items sent by him first class had...
Matched on
terms: legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
73match
201204249 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison had decided to put his outgoing mail on the mail intercept scheme. This meant that any non legal or non privileged mail that he sent out of the prison could be opened and read by prison staff. Mr C complained that the decision was unreasonable because there was...
Matched on
terms: legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
72match
201204091 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained to the prison governor about the monitoring and recording of phone calls to the mobile numbers of two of his legal representatives. Mr C asked us to consider whether the prison had appropriately handled his complaint about this. In responding to the complaint, the governor specifically referred to one of Mr...
Matched on
terms: correspondence, legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
69match
201502172 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that his prison had inadequate arrangements for him to access documents that were held for him in the reception area. Mr C also complained about how the prison handled his complaints about this matter. During our investigation, Mr C told us that legal action he was taking against the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) would refer...
Matched on
terms: legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
65match
201303377 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that he was issued with mail on a Sunday, when it should have been issued on a Saturday. He also complained that the prison failed to ensure that staff adhered to the procedures regarding cell searches, as well as those for handling and responding to his complaints. We asked the prison...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
65match
201508843 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained about issues with his mail coming into the prison. He said that he was having to wait at least a week to receive mail, that he was being made to sign for letters, and that the prison was unreasonably opening some of his mail and sealing it again with tape. In our investigations we asked...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
62match
201402677 - Scottish Prison Service
We received a complaint that prison officers had not handled a prisoner's incoming post in line with prison rules and had not handled his complaint to the SPS reasonably. However, the prisoner later contacted us to say that the complaint had been made to us without his knowledge or agreement. We agreed with his request that the complaint...
Matched on
terms: prison
PFD report
61match
Derek Thomas
Prison reception procedures failed under extreme pressure, leading to suicide risk information being overlooked due to staffing issues. Additionally, there was poor communication and conflicting understanding between prison and escort staff regarding critical safety form procedures.
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
61match
201204576 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because he said that two of his requests to have items of mail sent by recorded delivery were unreasonably delayed because of the process that was in place at the prison. The prison explained that if a prisoner wants to have an item of mail sent by recorded deliver, the cash...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
61match
201900780 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C said that mail sent to him by recorded delivery, which arrived at the prison, had not been received by him. Mr C said that he did not sign the mail log. This is a document used by the prison to record that a prisoner has received recorded mail items that have arrived for them. Mr C...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
60match
Whitemoor (2024)
Will the Governor ensure that prisoners have fair and dependable access to all visits, including legal ones, whether virtual or in-person?
Matched on
terms: legal, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201205062 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison would only allow him to purchase a Playstation 2 instead of a Xbox games console. The prison advised Mr C that Xboxes were not allowed as they can be modified for internet provision, which was a security risk. Mr C said that the prison were acting unreasonably because,...
Matched on
terms: prison, security
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201507927 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that his lost property claim was not appropriately investigated. During our initial investigations we found some discrepancies in the claim correspondence and associated evidence. We therefore asked the Scottish Prison Service to reconsider the claim in the first instance. Related reading View Decision Report 201507927 as a PDF (10.71 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018
Matched on
terms: correspondence, prison
LGO / SPSO decision
60match
201204937 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, said that he posted three items of mail in the mail box in his residential hall but they went missing. He complained to the prison about this and the deputy governor tasked a security manager to investigate. The security manager discussed this with Mr C and understood him to have been satisfied...
Matched on
terms: prison, security
IMB annual report
56match
Liverpool (2022)
HMP Liverpool, a Category B local adult male prison, generally provided a safe and humane environment in 2022 despite an old Victorian infrastructure and frequent regime closures due to staffing issues. The Board noted positive staff-prisoner relationships, maintained healthcare services, and satisfactory educational provision. Key concerns persist regarding long segregation periods for mentally ill prisoners, inconsistent main gate...
Matched on
terms: prison, security
IMB recommendation
56match
Norwich (2021)
The Board recognises the need for security screening of correspondence but asks the Minister to comment upon the possible implications of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act regarding proportionality in respect of the destruction of personal correspondence (see section 4.6).
Matched on
terms: correspondence, security
IMB recommendation
56match
Highpoint (2024)
There has been no improvement in the management of prisoners’ property within the prison, and the Board would also like to see an improvement in the handling of prisoners’ parcels within the Prison Security Framework.
Matched on
terms: prison, security
IMB recommendation
53match
Norwich (2020)
Why is the issue of property continually prominent in the majority of IMB and HMIP reports, without a viable solution having been found? The loss of prisoners’ property and its movement between establishments continue to be a major and perennial issue for prisoners. No noticeable improvement in the management of prisoners’ property between establishments is evident.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
53match
Isis (2023)
Loss of prisoner property continues to be a problem, and the Prisoner Property Policy Framework has not improved this. How will the Prison Service improve processes and technology to ensure that prisoners’ property is not lost?
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
53match
201101136 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained because an officer opened an envelope containing documents that Mr C had asked to be faxed to the court. Mr C said that, because the decision had been taken not to fax the documents, it was inappropriate for the officer to open the envelope. Mr C also complained about the prison's...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
52match
201200440 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison inappropriately issued his mail to another prisoner. The prison investigated Mr C's complaint and confirmed that his mail had been given to another prisoner in error. Our enquiries with the prison confirmed that steps had been taken to carry out a thorough investigation after Mr C complained. The...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB annual report
52match
Risley (2021)
HMP Risley demonstrates high safety standards with reductions in self-harm and violence, good healthcare provision, and strong equality and diversity initiatives. However, the Board raises significant concerns about long repatriation times for foreign nationals and property management issues. The pandemic severely impacted regime, education, and Key Worker scheme delivery, leading to limited time out of cell and restricted...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
52match
201508791 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that prison staff had inappropriately opened an item of his mail. Prison staff may open mail sent to prisoners when they consider they have reasonable cause to do so. However, the prison told us that staff had not opened the item of mail. We did not consider that there was sufficient evidence that staff had...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB annual report
51match
Frankland (2022)
HMP Frankland, a high-security training prison, has operated near its 852 capacity. The Board noted positive developments including staff efforts to maintain safety, the continuation of social video calls, and strong educational engagement. Key concerns include chronic healthcare staffing shortages, persistent issues with property tracking, the ingress of illicit drugs, and the impact of heating problems on workshop...
Matched on
terms: prison, security
LGO / SPSO decision
51match
201203590 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that prison officers opened an item of his incoming post when he was not present. Our investigation found that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) are permitted to open personal post in certain circumstances, such as when they have reason to believe that an item might contain something illicit, such as drugs....
Matched on
terms: prison, security
LGO / SPSO decision
51match
201203108 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) legal laptop policy inappropriately restricted his access to a laptop computer. The policy sets out the circumstances and conditions under which access to a laptop may be granted to prisoners. In particular, Mr C was unhappy because the policy restricted the use of the laptop...
Matched on
terms: legal, prison
PFD report
49match
Stephen Harte
Drugs too easily entered the secure mental health unit due to unchecked external food orders, inadequate searches of residents returning from leave, and staff not being searched upon entry.
Matched on
classifier match
PPO recommendation
48match
The Director of HMP Parc
The Director should ensure that documents about disciplinary hearings are given directly to prisoners.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
North Sea Camp (2020)
Address the fact that residents still have problems moving their property from one prison to another.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
New Hall (2020)
The Prison Service needs to address and introduce a more robust process to ensure that prisoners and their property are not separated during prison transfers.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Hull (2023)
Prisoners’ property, particularly on transfer, remains a significant issue for the Board. How will the prison service put systems in place to resolve these issues?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Hollesley Bay (2023)
The Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework, established in October 2022, is not working effectively. The losses that occur when prisoners move between establishments require particular scrutiny.
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Liverpool (2024)
Prisoners’ property during transfers is still going missing and is not managed effectively by the Prison Service, despite the updated Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework. The Board has raised this issue with the Prison Service for several years through our annual reports. What action will the Prison Service take to eliminate prisoners’ property being lost or mislaid between transfers,...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Scotland and Northern Ireland short-term holding facilities (STHF) (2025)
Access to phones in holding rooms is often poor. Information provision can also be weak. For example, some people we spoke to did not recall being informed of their right to legal advice. What steps are being taken to standardise provision in line with best practice, and to properly enforce non-compliance?
Matched on
terms: legal
IMB recommendation
48match
Rye Hill (2025)
The property that goes missing at times contains sensitive documentation relating to the prisoner’s index offence. Can you comment on what steps have been and are being taken to address this?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Ranby (2025)
How does the Prison Service plan to resolve this problem (loss of property and difficulty claiming compensation)?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Pentonville (2025)
The transfer of property between prisons remains chaotic and the 2022 Prisoners’ Property Policy Framework has made no noticeable difference. When will this dysfunctional system be overhauled?
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB recommendation
48match
Onley (2025)
The Minister should address the persistent problem of missing, mislaid, and delayed prisoner property, particularly on transfer between prisons, which continues despite previous reports.
Matched on
terms: prison
Article 2 learning point
48match
AA — HMP & YOI Holloway - LP 6
We recommend that the banning of visitors should be a last resort and in the case of young offenders the implications of such bans are taken into account before imposing them. Prisoners should be told of bans and avenues of appeal made known to visitors and prisoners when bans are imposed.
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
48match
201103118 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) failed to properly consider his request for compensation for items of property that he said went missing when he was transferred between two prisons. Mr C said that the first prison accepted that they had mislaid some of his property and offered him compensation. However,...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
48match
201205132 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that the prison lost some of his property. A visitor had handed in clothing and some coat hangers, which the prison logged as received. However, they did not reach Mr C, so he put in a missing property claim. He was unhappy with the outcome and complained to the prison. He...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
48match
201600415 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) acted unreasonably by refusing his request for phone credit to allow him to call his partner, who was seriously ill. SPS said that Mr C's requests were declined because he refused to return to mainstream accommodation and that as a result he had been denied access to his personal...
Matched on
terms: prison
LGO / SPSO decision
48match
201608784 - Scottish Prison Service
Mr C complained that the pornographic magazines stocked by the prion's supplier were aimed at heterosexual men. Mr C asked for access to equivalent homosexual pornographic magazines. The prison said that magazines were subject to the stock held by the supplier and that the supplier could not accommodate one-off requests. Mr C then submitted an Equality and Diversity...
Matched on
terms: prison
IMB annual report
48match
Oakwood (2020)
HMP Oakwood maintains good overall safety and humane treatment, with commendations for staff collaboration, peer-led initiatives, and positive reception processes. However, significant concerns persist regarding the quality and quantity of education provision by Novus due to staffing issues, and a lack of national progress on prisoner property transfers. Other key issues include inconsistent use of force implementation, deteriorating...
Matched on
terms: prison