Deaf Prison Project

03 March 2004

Steve Richardson, Deaf Prison Project Manager, highlights the project to improve access to information and services for deaf prisoners.

Between the years 1982-1985, a senior probation officer from Winson Green Prison in Birmingham became alerted to the considerable injustice that deaf prisoners were suffering in comparison to their hearing peers. It was recognised that deaf prisoners did not have full access to the reception procedure; no real access to the processes, rules or expectations of the prison, poor access to legal advice, education and welfare, and there was very little access to parole procedures or supervision within the community after their release.

Over time, an increasing number of probation officers and prison staff expressed similar concerns about deaf prisoners and, by 1991/2, the first official meeting was organised. The meeting included 17 probation officers and two prison officers from different parts of the country, and, as a result of the meeting, a decision was made to contact both the British Deaf Association (BDA) and Birmingham Institute for the Deaf (BID) for assistance with the matter.

In 1998/9, funding was secured and the Deaf Prison Project was set in motion; this happily coincided with the Prison Department considering its responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act. Originally, the project was a partnership between BDA, BID and the West Midlands Probation Service, and was based at the Centre for Deaf People in Birmingham. A steering group was set up and this currently consists of Rod Jones, Probation Officer based at HMP Birmingham, a delegate from CACDP, BID Chair Person, a representative from the Prisoner Administration Group and Steve Richardson, the Project Manager. The Project Manager is responsible for the day to day running of the project, and regular meetings are held with the Steering Group to ensure the project remains focused and the aims are being met. The aim of the project is to improve access to information and services, and reduce the sense of being isolated, ignored, frustrated and vulnerable, a common experience for many deaf people within the criminal justice system, specifically those who are in prison.

Why is there a need for the Project?
The Project faced enormous problems in identifying both the number and the location of deaf prisoners within the system, and the Home Office's lack of statistical information on the whereabouts of such prisoners only aggravated this problem.

A questionnaire, together with a Deaf Awareness pack and information about the project, was distributed to 132 prisons throughout England and Wales to try and gather information on deaf prisoners within the system. Unfortunately, the response rate was a disappointing 42% (56 replies).

One senses a general lack of deaf awareness within the prison systems and this was highlighted by a comment received in response to the questionnaire: 'None are deaf but two prisoners wear hearing aids.'

This lack of misinterpretation of information on both the prisoners and officers' part can cause serious problems for deaf prisoners. It can result in them being denied the same opportunities to access services as their hearing counterparts.

This is shown in the following comments made by deaf prisoners:
'I was not granted parole, as the board said I had not been on any training courses and therefore classed as not wanting to change. I tried to explain, through an unsuitable interpreter, that I wanted to go on training courses but there was no provision for me to access them. This resulted in me having to serve a full prison sentence.'

'A course on managing behaviour was organised with a BSL interpreter. I attended only one session that I really enjoyed. I was cleaning an area one day and asked an officer to move as he was in the way. He did not see my gestures so I tapped him on the shoulder to indicate that I was going to clean the area. Unfortunately, he did not know that I was deaf and he interpreted that as an act of violence, and this resulted in me being put on block and transferred; I lost my place on the course.'

'Prison officers should be aware of who is on their wing, especially a deaf person. I cannot remember the amount of times I have missed gym, education, medical services and hot water time.'

It should be noted that the average deaf person leaves school with a reading age of approximately nine years due to poor education they have received. Therefore, written English is generally unsuitable as a tool to communicate with deaf people. Deaf people's access to information is largely dependent upon the use of interpreters and specialised equipment, and it is evident from initial assessments undertaken with deaf prisoners that the prison authorities do not readily access interpreting services. It is clear from discussion with both prisoners and staff that deaf prisoners are disadvantaged by the lack of essential equipment, such as text phones, vibrating alarm clocks, visual fire alarms and smoke detectors, or television with a subtitling facility.

When any prisoner arrives in prison for the first time, it is a daunting process, but this feeling is compounded if the prisoner is deaf and without the presence of a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. They will feel overwhelmed by many aspects, and will not understand what is going on or what will happen next.

Shortly after the Project began, a group of volunteers from a variety of different backgrounds were selected and trained to become visitors/advocates. An essential criterion for the volunteers was the ability to communicate with the deaf prisoner in their preferred method of communication.

An updated questionnaire, with leaflets and referral sheets, has recently been sent out and it will be interesting to note if the responses are similar.

Who are the volunteers? How did we recruit them?
Volunteers were recruited through selective advertising, such as British Deaf News, BID's Sign Times, etc. All volunteers are required to have BSL level 2 or above to ensure communication breakdown does not occur; therefore, a deaf sign language user and a skilled hearing communicator led the interviews. This method was chosen to ensure that all identified prisoners have an equal opportunity to participate and respond in their preferred language, whether it is British Sign Language, Sign Supported English or spoken English. The volunteers had to go through the process of completing an application form, attending an interview and undergoing police checks. The volunteers selected undertook essential training provided by the West Midlands Probation Service and Deaf Prison Project, and this training is ongoing. The volunteers act as advocates for the deaf prisoners, ensuring that all identified deaf prisoners have full access to correct information and prison facilities.

When identification and location of a deaf prisoner has taken place, the Project Manager makes an appointment to visit the prisoner in prison and, during a face to face interview, an Assessment Programme is used to identify their needs.

After the assessment, the Project Manager will choose a suitable volunteer who can communicate in the prisoner's preferred language, and feedback to the co-ordinator crucial issues or problems that have arisen. The co-ordinator will make the decision who to involve with any further ongoing situations, for example, the Probation Service, the Deaf Prison Project or even volunteers themselves.

The Project would welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the Prison Authority. It offers the advice and support to ensure that the prison officers develop their deaf awareness and an improved attitude to deaf people in prison. Additionally, the Project is willing to work with the Prison Authority in planning services for deaf prisoners, and in helping to find accommodation or employment when they are released.

Achievements:
• An increasing number of referrals received from the Prison Service, probation officers, family and friends of offenders, potential volunteers, members of the public, organisations and deaf prisoners themselves;
• Raised deaf awareness for probation staff through training;
• Participation at the national Deaf People and the Legal System conference in London;
• The production of a BSL video to be used at the reception process at HMP Birmingham;
• Requests for more information regarding the Prison Project from home and abroad;
• Involvement in the development of a Disability Strategy at HMP Birmingham;
• Joint work undertaken with the Probation Service with a prisoner released on the 'tagging system'.

Deaf Project aims
The future aims of the project:
• To set up another four projects throughout Britain in the North, South, East and West, the headquarters remaining at BID in Birmingham;
• For the Project and the services offered to be recognised by the Prisons/Probation Service;
• Volunteers to develop their skills and become advocates for deaf people at parole meetings;
• To work with ex-offenders with a view to reducing the risk of re-offending;
• Raise the number of trained volunteers visiting deaf prisoners.