NCJ Number
138753
Date Published
1992
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The Woolf Report on prison disturbances in England in 1990 concluded that Boards of Visitors should not be involved in the administration of punishment within prisons.
Abstract
As of April 1992, offenses against prison rules in England are either dealt with by the governor or in the courts. Boards of Visitors are no longer part of the disciplinary process and cannot take away or restore punishment. The Woolf Report also makes other recommendations that focus on the recruitment of members to serve on Boards of Visitors, board presidents, and coordinating committees. The report envisions Boards of Visitors in a watchdog role, particularly with regard to adjudication, prisoner control, major prison incidents, prison standards, board member training, and community involvement.