PSO 2800 - Inside Time

PSO 2800 Annexes – Page 12CHAPTER 5 – IMPACT ASSESSMENTS5.1 Chapter 2 sets out the specific duties of the RR(A)A 2000 that apply to the Prison Service.As a result the Prison Service has undertaken in its Race Equality Scheme to impactassess those functions, policies and practices considered relevant to race equality and topublish the results of those impact assessments.5.2 The impact assessment process provides the means by which the Prison Service:assesses proposed and current policies for any effects they might have on the promotion ofrace equality;consults people who are likely to be affected by those policies;monitors policies for any adverse effects they might have on people from different racialgroups;takes action to correct any adverse impact found, through timed action plans.5.3 The impact assessment process is central to the management of race equality inestablishments. It is a structured method that the Governor and Senior Management Teammust use to eliminate any discriminatory effect of each of the policies and practices withinthe prison and to demonstrate their commitment to the promotion of race equality. It is aparticularly effective way for the Race Equality Action Team to promote the integration ofrace equality issues into the management of the establishment and to ensure that suchissues are considered as a routine part of all policy-making and management decisionmaking.What is an impact assessment?5.4 An impact assessment is a systematic way of finding out whether current or proposedfunctions, policies or practices affect different racial groups differently. It will helpestablishments to:take account of the needs, circumstances and experiences of those affected by PrisonService functions, policies and practices;identify actual and potential inequalities in outcomes, including unlawful racialdiscrimination;consider other ways of achieving the aims of Prison Service functions, policies andpractices in order to minimise or remove any possible adverse impact; promote equality ofopportunity and promote good relations between people of different racial groups;increase public confidence in the fairness of Prison Service functions, policies andpractices.What makes a good impact assessment?5.5 A good impact assessment is a clearly thought out and evidenced analysis of theimplications of the policy for each of the general duties of the RR(A)A. It should include:a screening stage to assess relevance to race equality;evidence that race equality has been considered at all stages of the policydevelopment process;description, discussion and analysis of relevant evidence including where availablethe most recent ethnic monitoring data;information about the methods used for consultation with prisoners, staff and thevoluntary and community sector and discussion of the outcomes thereof;a conclusion as to the actual or potential impact on people of all racial groups;a named and time bound action plan that sets out the way in which any adverseimpact will be addressed and how equality of opportunity and good relationsbetween people of different racial groups will be promoted. This action plan shouldbe clearly linked to the establishment‟s Business Plan and Race Equality ActionPlan.Issue No. 264 issue date 25/09/06