d. Good practice examples
Though the general issues of concern identified above were present in many (and,
in some cases, all) of the units visited, there were also pockets of good practice.
What follows are good practice examples observed in either one or a number of
the units visited (but not in all or even most), joined together to paint a picture of
what good practice looks like in a solitary confinement unit.45 These good practice
examples can be used by the different detaining agencies as learning points for
improving current practices.
People are provided with good information on unit routines and
expectations on arrival
In one health and disability unit, newly arrived patients arriving to the deescalation unit received a welcome pack with toiletries, a pen, a notebook,
information on daily routines and activities available in the unit and an
information booklet on the complaints system, peer support and so on (Te Whare
o Matairangi). Newly arrived residents at Haumietiketike Intellectual Disability
Secure Inpatient unit were also provided with ‘housekeeping guidelines’ setting
out expectations and the unit’s daily routines, as well as illustrated guidance on
making complaints. The Mason clinic provided families of patients with a good
information booklet on what to expect. Women segregated in Auckland Women’s
Management and Separates units were provided with an induction booklet
containing detailed information on unit rules, routines, and on the women’s
entitlements.
Beds are kept for patients/prisoners in their sending unit
In a number of units (though not all), where patients were secluded, the bedroom
they were originally allocated in the general units was kept for them (Te Whare
o Matairangi ). This was also the case in a number of prisons where the stay
in segregation (usually to serve a disciplinary punishment) was expected to be
short, and where the prisoner was currently residing in a forensic facility. Keeping
the person’s original bedroom / cell for them during their seclusion reasserts an
expectation that seclusion is a short, temporary state of affairs, and it also ensures
that patients/prisoners do not spend longer than necessary away from the general
population solely because no beds are available for them back there. Staff at the
ARU in Christchurch Women’s went a step further and checked on women once
they were back in the general population. This was excellent practice.
45 Additional good practice examples and advice on strategies to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint can be
found on Te Pou’s excellent website. Though specific to mental health settings, these can be adapted to other
detention settings: http://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/reducing-seclusion-and-restraint/102
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