Role of Special Units in the Prison Service establisment

Karen Walsh, a long time prisoner visitor and writer to many many ‘Hostages’ is researching the role of Special Units such as Red Spur at H.M.P. Whitemoor. All her correspondence to date has been to and from either Prison Service Headquarters or the Home Office. In the interests of fairness she would like to be enabled to contact prisoners who have been through the assessment stage at one of the 8 feeder (High Security Estate) prisons and beyond that stage. Also she would like to contact inmates who have attended one of the Special Units to enable them put forward the reality of their experiences as it's the only way the research can reflect a balance.The information is not readily available from grass roots level ie; the 'prisoner's experience' All she can glean at the moment is from the Home Office, documents on the internet and out of date press articles

Below are the questions she would like answered, Karen is highly recommended by MOJUK and all answers would be in strictest confidence.

1. Did you choose to volunteer to go to one of the Special Units and why?
   
   
2. If you chose to volunteer what persuaded you?
   
   
3. If the prison recommended that you go, how far into your sentence were you at that point?
   
   
4. Do you think there is sufficient balanced information available to prisoners on the function of the Special Units?
   
   
5. Have you been furnished with the (holding) prison report findings as to why you were considered a suitable candidate to go to one of the Special Units?
   
   
6. Have you been furnished with the (holding) prison report findings as to why you were not found a suitable candidate to go to one of the Special Units?
   
   
7. Did you feel pressured in any way to volunteer to go to one of the Special Units?
   
   
8. How would you describe the assessment process to determine whether a prisoner is suitable to attend one of the Special Units?
   
   
9. How long did you have to wait for the results of the assessment, and how were you informed?
   
   
10. Were you told what qualifications were held by the person who carried out the assessment?
    
    
11. If your assessment report stated that you were not a suitable candidate for one of the Special Units did it document any useful and relevant recommendations that you should follow at the holding prison?
    
    
12. How long did you have to wait from being informed you were a suitable candidate for one of the Special Units to being afforded a place?
    
    
13. Can you give a description of the differences between the prison where you came from and the Special Unit environment?
    
    
14. Did you feel the information you had been given at the prison prior to your attendance at the Special Unit was excellent, sufficient, or could be improved on?
    
    
15. How would you describe the therapy offered at the Special Unit?
    
    
16. Do the reports suggest that you benefited from the therapy received at the Special Unit?
17. How long did you stay at the Special Unit?
    
    
18. Where did you go when your stay at the Special Unit came to an end?
    
    
19. Was it made clear what your future prospects are now in relation to your sentence as a result of any findings at the Special Unit?

K. Walsh researcher

c/o of Open Minds
P.O. Box 212
Warndon
Worcs
WR4 9QZ