Australian Capital Territory
Corrections Management (Shared Cell) Policy 2009
Notifiable instrument NI2009-162
made under the  
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14(1) (Corrections policies and operating procedures) 

1	Name of instrument
This instrument is the Corrections Management (Shared Cell) Policy 2009.
2	Commencement
This instrument commences on the day after it is notified.
3	Policy
I make the

Shared Cell policy

attached to this instrument, to facilitate the effective and efficient management of correctional services.

James Ryan
Executive Director 
ACT Corrective Services
       25 March 2009

Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC)

Shared Cell Policy

Purpose
Authority
Policy
Principles
Types of cells
Allocating cells
Case notes
Review
Forms/templates 	3
Related Policies and Procedures

Purpose
To outline the shared cell policy.

Authority
Legislation
Corrections Management Act 2007, section 14.

Policy
Principles
Consideration should be given to deciding whether prisoners should be accommodated in single cells or shared cells at the AMC.

No prisoner should be accommodated in a shared cell where it can be reasonably foreseen that the prisoner may be at risk of abuse or harassment (of any kind).

This policy covers cells within the AMC but does not include prisoners placed in cottages.

Placement of prisoners within cottage units should take into consideration the ability of individual prisoners to live in a positive social environment.

Types of cells 
Single cells accommodate one prisoner.

Shared cells are available in the cellblocks at the AMC and are designed to accommodate two prisoners.  

Buddy cells are available to male prisoners in the male cellblocks at the AMC and are designed to provide a prisoner the privacy of his own cell whilst affording them the support of a prisoner in an adjoining cell.  

Allocating cells
The decision to accommodate a prisoner in a single or shared is made by the area CO2 on a case-by-case basis. In addition to this, consideration must be given to who shares a shared cell and whether this is in the best interest of both prisoners. Shared cells available should be allocated to prisoners who would benefit from a more social environment. 

When a prisoner is being considered for accommodation in a shared cell, both prisoners should be asked about their preference. 

The following factors must be considered when making a decision to accommodate prisoners in a shared cell:

•	operational requirements
•	the prisoners’ preference; 
•	any perceived or potential threat posed by one prisoner to the safety of the other;
•	the vulnerability of one prisoner to abuse by the other;
•	the capacity for one prisoner in a shared cell to offer support to the prisoner with whom they are sharing;
•	any observed interaction between the prisoners;
•	escapees should not be accommodated together;
•	a prisoner who is subject to a loss of privileges regime should not be placed in a shared cell; 
•	upon request, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners should be accommodated together; 
•	upon request, family members of the same gender should be accommodated together;
•	prisoners with shared religious or cultural practices should where practical be accommodated together; 
•	a prisoner who is unable to speak English should be placed with a prisoner who would be able and willing to assist them;
•	prisoners in a time of stress or crisis (for example, a person being sentenced);
•	the medical requirements of either prisoner;
•	any information gathered through Intelligence;
•	any information in each prisoner’s file; and
•	if the prisoner is conducting their own legal defence, the risk of confidential documents being exposed. 

The above list is a guide and additional factors such as the availability of accommodation types may be considered.

A prisoner may request a single cell or a change of cellmate.

Case notes
When the allocation of a prisoner to a cell is for a reason other than available bed space, for example where the prisoner requests a shared cell, or they demonstrate a vulnerability that indicates a need for another prisoner to share a cell, a case note must be made.  
This case note should detail relevant information used in making the decision.  

Review
Where a prisoner is placed in a shared cell for reasons of safety and well being, this arrangement should be reviewed after the first week by the area CO2 and then at regular intervals. The review should consider whether the arrangement is in the best interests of both prisoners.

Forms/templates
Nil

Related Policies and Procedures
Prisoner Discipline Policy
Prisoner Discipline Procedure
Management of Prisoners in the Crisis Support Unit Policy
Management Unit Policy