PSO 2855 - Inside Time

PSO 2855 Page 12SAMPLE LOCAL POLICY DOCUMENTANNEX AThe following template can be used as a starting point to assist in drawing up a local policydocument:1. Prison Service Statement on Equal Access for disabled people“Discrimination on the basis of disability is unlawful and unacceptable, as is abusivelanguage or behaviour towards disabled people on the part of any member of staff, prisoneror visitor, and neither will be tolerated”.Some indication of local commitment can be added here.2. You may wish to include the definition of disability given in the DDA:“A person who has a physical, sensory or mental impairment which has a long term andsubstantial effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities”.3. Local statements of policy must include statements to the effect that:It is unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities by:Refusing or failing to provide access to goods, facilities, services or premises;Providing a lower level or services in a sub standard manner;Failing to make reasonable adjustments to the service;Failing to ensure information is accessible.4. There is a responsibility on all staff to ensure that any discriminatory practices towards anypeople with disabilities within the establishment are stopped. All managers have aresponsibility to ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities.5. There should be a local strategy to ensure that all complaints by people with disabilities areinvestigated seriously and the appropriate remedies are implemented. Information aboutthe Disability Rights Commission (see Annex E) should be made available to staff,prisoners and visitors.6. The local DLO should be identified, along with their locally defined role.7. The Prison Service (or establishment) aims to ensure that prisoners with disabilities areable to participate equally in prison life. It is important to address their sentence needs andIssue No. 295 Issue date 3/04/08