G8 Oversight mechanisms need to be strengthened, in particular with regard to placement in, and ways out of, seclusion and segregation units. These should be made proportionally more exacting as time in seclusion/segregation progresses. In the case of the ‘chronic’ stays in solitary confinement (in prisons and in health and disability settings), a national multidisciplinary oversight body which includes expertise from outside the detaining agencies, should be considered. G9 Data on the use of seclusion/segregation/secure care units and the application of restraints should be recorded more fully and analysed for trends and protected characteristics such as age, gender and ethnic origin. The apparent overrepresentation of ethnic minorities, in particular Mäori, in seclusion and segregation units in prisons and health and disability units should be investigated further as a matter of urgency. Similarly, the apparent overrepresentation of women in prison segregation units needs to be investigated and addressed. G 10 Records should clearly and prominently: indicate the reason for the placement in solitary confinement or the application of restraint; the start and end times of the application of seclusion or restraint; record efforts to use less restrictive practices, and; record any injuries sustained in the process (to both detainees and staff), and any other interventions and observations regarding the person. G 11 Detaining authorities should consider cross-sectoral collaboration aimed at the reduction of seclusion and restraint practices, sharing learning and good practice identified across other detention contexts. For example, the Ministry of Health’s seclusion reduction policies could be adapted to the prison context, and the Department of Corrections’ Minimum Entitlements could be adapted for use in health and disability units and in police custody suites. G 12 Future research should seek the views and experiences of service users – patients, prisoners and residents – during their time in seclusion, segregation, or restraint. For example, did they experience their treatment as good and caring, or as degrading and punitive? Which aspects of their confinement did they find most difficult to deal with? What could be done to improve these experiences? Similarly, more work needs to be done to understand staff perceptions and concerns about the potential consequences of reducing and eventually eliminating seclusion practices. While these concerns must not take precedence over patients’, prisoners’ and residents’ health and wellbeing, they do need to be acknowledged and addressed. 50