M.04.04 Scheduled rest break

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The purpose of these procedures is to ensure rest break(s) are taken during inter-prison transfers, temporary removals and escorts to/from courts, if the duration of the escort is greater than four hours (excluding the rest break).

Scheduled rest break criteria

  1. Escort staff must not drive continuously for more than four hours without:
    1. a scheduled rest break of at least 30 minutes
    2. managed at a secure facility.
  2. The driver and other escort staff must consider the following before departing on an escort:
    1. if the total work time (including the driving time) will exceed 5 and a half hours before reaching the destination or the rest break facility, the driver of an escort must take a rest break of 30 minutes (must not carry out any work related tasks) prior to starting an escort
    2. work time begins when a staff reports to work.
  3. Scheduled rest breaks must be facilitated only at:
    1. police stations, and
    2. prisons.

M.04.04.01 Rest-break requirements

  1. Escorting staff must contact all police stations and prison sites required to facilitate a scheduled rest break 30 minutes before arrival to confirm the expected arrival time of the escort.
  2. The driver and accompanying escorting officers must not supervise or manage prisoners, or complete any work related task, for a minimum of 30 minutes during a rest break while at the designated secure facility.
  3. Dispatching prisons must provide any food and water required for supply to prisoners during a scheduled rest break.
  4. Prisoners are entitled to drinking water and the use of a toilet during all scheduled rest breaks.
  5. Prisoners must be supplied food and water during the scheduled rest break most aligned to normal meal times, taking into account the time of the scheduled rest break and the time remaining until arrival at the destination.
  6. The provision of food and water, and the rest break times, are to be recorded on the M.04.01.Form.03 Prisoner escorts journey plan.
  7. Food is not provided at any other times during the transportation.
  8. Water is to be provided to prisoners for the duration of the transportation.
  9. Sufficient water is to be carried on board the vehicle, this is to be replenished at each prison site.
  10. The removal and re-application of waist restraints during scheduled rest breaks is to be managed in accordance with POM Movements.
  11. The searching of prisoners and escort vehicles during scheduled rest breaks is to be managed in accordance with POM S.01 Searching.

M.04.04.02 Police station rest breaks

  1. Before the escort departs, the relevant tasks listed below must be completed if a scheduled rest break is intended.
  2. The dispatching prison must fax / email the officer in-charge of the police station at least twenty four hours before the escort departs a fax / email containing the following:
    1. All prisoners' names
    2. All PRNs
    3. Any identified risks
    4. Segregation categories
    5. Security classification and age if relevant
    6. A request for confirmation of receipt of the fax / email, by return fax / email, from the police station.
  3. The officer in-charge of the police station who receives a fax / email must, by return fax / email, inform the prison staff who sent the fax / email that they have received the information. The officer in-charge must also inform the prison staff whether they can or cannot accommodate the requested rest break. This must be done as soon as possible, so any rescheduling can be accommodated.

M.04.04.03 Prison rest breaks

  1. The dispatching prison must email the intended rest break prison site at least one hour before the escort departs, an email containing the following:
    1. All prisoner's names
    2. All PRNs
    3. Any identified risks
    4. Segregation categories
    5. Security classification and age if relevant
  2. The receiving office PCO or delegated staff must, by email, inform the prison staff who sent the email that they have received the information. The officer in-charge must also inform the dispatching prison staff, whether they can or cannot accommodate the requested rest break. This must be done as soon as possible, so any rescheduling can be accommodated.

M.04.04.04 Responsibilities at rest break site

  1. Escorting Staff
    1. Escort I/C must liaise with Police Jailer(s) or corrections staff and brief them of any risks, handover relevant documentation and check cells prior to use.
    2. Park vehicle in a secure location indicated by Police / host prison staff for unloading prisoners.
    3. Unload prisoners one at a time and remove waist restraints.
    4. Allow prisoner access to toilets. This must be carried out under strict supervision.
    5. For prisoners identified as at risk of self harm, the following items must be removed before securing the prisoner in a cell:
      1. clothing with drawstring (e.g. jerseys and jackets)
      2. belts
      3. shoe laces
    6. any escorting staff must contact all police stations and prison sites required to facilitate a scheduled rest break 30 minutes before arrival to confirm the expected arrival time of the escort.
    7. other item that can be used for self harm (staff discretion to be used)
    8. Secure prisoners in cells.
    9. Have a rest break for at least 30 minutes. Any work related activity must not be undertaken during the rest break. Ensure that the start and finish time of the rest breaks are recorded in the M.04.01.Form.03 Prison escort journey plan.
    10. Remain at the rest break site.
    11. Abide by the Police station protocols, if the rest break occurs at a police station.
    12. After a minimum of 30 minutes, reapply restraints in accordance with the waist restraints policies / instructions in M.04.02 Use of restraints for escorts / transfers and commence loading for the next journey stage.
    13. Carry out, with Police officer, cell checks after loading prisoners in the vehicle to identify any damage to the cell.
  2. Rest break site staff (Host prison staff)
    1. The receiving officer PCO or delegated staff must ensure the actions below are carried out:
      1. Prepare the cells for rest break.
      2. Co-ordinate and assist escorting staff in unloading and loading of prisoners.
      3. Assist in removing / applying restraints if required.
      4. Assist in securing prisoners in cells.
      5. Administer food and water to the prisoners.
      6. Supervise prisoners during rest breaks.
      7. Ensure the rest break process is carried out in a smooth and efficient manner.
      8. Carry out a cell inspection after the rest break.
  3. Rest break site staff (Police)
    1. Prepare police cells for rest break.
    2. Assist corrections staff with unloading prisoners when required. (Police staff must not be involved with removing or applying waist restraints).
    3. Secure prisoners in cells.
    4. Administer food and water to the prisoners.
    5. Supervisor the prisoners during the rest breaks.
    6. Manage any incidents in the first instance and seek assistance from Corrections staff if needed.
    7. Assist corrections staff with the loading of prisoners.
    8. Check cells with the corrections staff after the rest break.
  4. Administration
    1. Completed copies of the signed M.04.01.Form.03 Prisoner escort journey plan are to be kept at dispatch office for a minimum of twelve months.
    2. Police supervision invoices are to be sent to the applicable receiving office / CSU manager for approval and payment. A copy of the prisoner advice sheet is to accompany the invoice.