PSO 2855 - Inside Time

PSO 2855 Page 5INTRODUCTIONPurpose of the PSO1.1 This PSO sets out Governors‟ responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995(DDA), which incorporates amendments made in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005towards prisoners with disabilities. The Order provides instructions and guidance on PrisonService policy and the requirements introduced by the final stages of the DDA, which cameinto force in 2005 and 2006. For a summary of these requirements, see paragraph 2.10below.1.2 Under the DDA, disability is self declared and there is no need for certification orregistration of disability, whether in prison or the community.1.3 It is best practice to explain to prisoners that, if they choose not to declare any needs theyhave related to disability, these needs would not be catered for. Should they declare adisability, Healthcare officers and the Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) will need to be madeaware to enable them to verify the level of disability, consider the prisoner‟s needs andarrange for those needs to be met. This will enable the Prison Service to fulfil its legalobligations under the Act.1.4 Mandatory actions listed in this PSO arise from the requirements and obligations set out inthe DDA, and with the exception of Action Plans and Impact Assessments, were present inthe previous PSOs. This PSO also includes recommendations to encourage thedevelopment of good practice towards prisoners with disabilities, and guidance on areasthat establishments may wish to consider when drawing up their establishment Action Plan.1.5 This PSO introduces the DDA requirement that all new and revised National Policies areto be impact assessed using the Disability Impact Assessment form at Annex I. Existingpolicies will need to be assessed when it is considered that they might have a significantand disproportionate impact on prisoners with disabilities.1.6 Local Policies, new and revised, will need to be assessed using the template at Annex I.Any impact assessment of existing policies that the establishment feels necessary shouldbe included in the Establishment Action Plan, with priority given to those policies,processes and functions relating to access to work, PE and education, interventions andaccommodation.1.7 It is Prison Service policy, in line with developing legislation, that disabled prisoners are notIssue No. 295 Issue date 3/04/08