Describe the physical, dynamic and procedural security considerations in a custodial environment
Dynamic Security: Dynamic Security is a process which involves gathering information to keep order
within a prison, building positive relationships with staff members and inmates, close monitoring of
gang members and tackling drug and violence issues.
Role of a prison officer: The role of a prison officer requires them to do a variety of different tasks
other than to supervise and ensure inmates don’t escape. They also have the roles and
responsibilities to; perform security checks, escort prisoners, build positive relationships with
inmates, provide help with rehabilitations and perform the movement of individuals. At the end of
each day, prison officers will perform a final headcount. It is important to know where each convict
is in order to control them in a correct and appropriate manner. When prison officers move inmates,
it is also important that they ensure their own safety, as well as the inmates. Another important
thing to remember when moving inmates is to meet their needs. As a result of this, there is a higher
chance of them being compliant and it reduces the likelihood of them escaping. Prison officers also
have the role of supervising visits. During any official visits, a prison officer must stay with the visitor
for the entire time and they will also need to be supervising the inmate in order to prevent them
from escaping or receiving any items from the visitor.
Importance of a good relationship between staff and offenders: As a prison officer, it is important to
build a positive relationship with other members of staff and inmates. Having a good relationship
with inmates can lead to them being more compliant and as a result they may become less of a
nuisance when having to deal with them. It will also decrease the chance of inmates attacking the
officers if they were to have a good relationship. Building a good relationship with other members of
staff will be crucial because they often work closely together and it will make them a more effective
team.
Intelligence systems: Intelligence systems are used to gather and analyse data. To do this prison
officers have several options. For example; they can read mail that is either incoming or outgoing,
they can listen to prisoner’s phone calls and on some occasions, conversations between the
prisoners and their visitors are recorded.
Importance of a secure environment: It is important that prisons are a secure environment in order
to keep both the staff and inmates safe. All inmates should be able to feel safe and not as though
their life is at risk.
Constructive regimes: Constructive regimes are constantly taking place in prisons because each day
is structured around the inmates. A few regime activities that are integrated into the day so inmates
can take part in are; education, gym and workshop. It is important to have regimes within prisons
because it allows prisoners to have a structure to their day and it keeps the regime that they would
have when they leave the prison.