Prisons: Body Searches

(asked on 8th March 2021) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that their review of Procedures for searching people: PSI 07/2016, published on 26 July 2016, takes account of the Equality Act 2010.


This question was answered on 22nd March 2021

The national policy on the searching of prisoners, staff and visitors (PSI 07/2016 – Searching of the Person) is currently under review and a revised version is intended to be published later this year.

In reviewing the policy, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has consulted with the Government’s Legal Department and HMPPS Equalities Team. The new policy will be compliant with the Equality Act 2010, Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the European Convention of Human Rights.

The updated policy will include direction on transgender staff conducting searches. This will account for staff with or without a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC).

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