Police will have to ask female detainees whether they are likely to require sanitary products, which they will be given free, under Home Office plans.
The Home Office is set to change the law to ensure all menstruating women, and others with personal health and hygiene needs, are treated with dignity whilst in custody.
Police forces will have to ask female detainees at the earliest opportunity whether they are likely to require sanitary products, which they will be given free of charge.
The changes will also require police forces to make arrangements for all detainees to speak in private to a member of custody staff of the same sex about personal needs relating to their health, hygiene and welfare.
The Home Office completed a public consultation, which saw overwhelming support from the public and the police for the proposals.
The Independent Custody Visiting Association (ICVA) wrote to the Home Office last year concerned that women were being left without basic sanitary protection in police cells.
Examples included one force not providing tampons to women for safety reasons, female detainees being stripped of all clothing, including underwear, and placed in paper suits with no menstrual products being offered. There are also concerns about a lack of access to hand-washing facilities and the use of CCTV in cells.
The changes will ensure that detainee dignity, health, hygiene and welfare products are considered when:
- providing access to toilet and washing facilities
- removal of a detainee’s clothing is necessary for investigation
- allowing clothing and personal effects to be retained by detainees
The notice given to detainees informing them of their rights and entitlements in police custody will be updated to reflect the changes to the law.
The intended changes will be brought into effect when the revised Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) Codes of Practice have been laid in Parliament.
Additionally, the College of Policing has also strengthened its guidance on ensure the needs of menstruating detainees are adequately met.
Part of a longer press release at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dignity-of-women-in-custody-ensured-by-planned-law-change
HERitage stall this Saturday 29th January at St Cuthbert's hall, Amble. Come along, see you there