Human rights framework for restraint

1 Equality and Human rights CommissionHuman rights framework forrestraint:principles for the lawful use of physical, chemical, mechanical and coercive restrictive interventionsHuman rights framework for restraint Introduction Equality and Human rights Commission Published: March 2019 2 Introduction This framework reflects the requirements of Article 3 (prohibition on torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, Article 8 (respect for autonomy, physical and psychological integrity) and Article 14 (non-discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights1 as incorporated into domestic law by the Human rights Act Why has the Commission produced this Human rights framework fo r restraint ?)

2 To support our work to tackle the unlawful use of restraint in education, healthcare and detention settings, we have produced this Human rights framework for r estraint. The development of the framework has been informed by discussion with Government departments; regulators, inspectorates and ombudspersons; and the third sector. What does this framework do? This framework : sets out key principles of articles 3, 8 and 14 of the European Convention onHuman rights (ECHR), incorporated into domestic law by the Human RightsAct 1998, which govern the use of restraint across all settings, and provides examples from a range of settings to illustrate the rights framework for restraint Introduction Equality and Human rights Commission Published: March 2019 3 What this framework is not intended to do?

3 This framework is not intended to: set out the specific legal frameworks which govern the use of restraint in different settings set out all of the regional and international Human rights obligations and standards which relate to the use of restraint , or serve as a tool to guide frontline practice without supplementary guidance. How should the framework be used? This framework is intended to be used as: a basis for building consensus and consistency on the use of restraint within and between all sectors in which restraint is used, including criminal justice, health, adult and social care and education sectors a starting point for developing more comprehensive sector-specific guidance and training on restraint , and a checklist which can be used to help evaluate compliance of law, policy and practice on restraint with articles 3, 8 and 14 ECHR.

4 Human rights framework for restraint framework Equality and Human rights Commission Published: March 2019 4 Human rights framework for restraint An act of restraint must comply with the basic legal principles below when carried out by a person performing a public function or providing a public service, whether they are employed by the state or private contractors. This includes restraint by teachers, police, prison and immigration detention officers, NHS and social care professionals. The principles in this framework serve to protect and respect the safety and dignity of people being restrained, as well as those around them, including staff or members of the public.

5 A | What is restraint ? In some settings restraint only means use of force. This framework covers all forms of restraint covered by the following definition: restraint is an act carried out with the purpose of restricting an individual s movement, liberty and/or freedom to act restraint includes chemical, mechanical and physical forms of control, coercion and enforced isolation , which may also be called restrictive interventions . Example: A young person with learning disabilities is prescribed high doses of an anti-psychotic drug with sedative properties solely to help control their challenging behaviour.

6 They do not have the underlying condition that the medication is designed to treat. This may be chemical restraint . The key issue is the nature of the act, not how it is described. If an act or series of acts are intended to restrict a person s freedom to move or act then the Human rights principles set out in this framework apply. Human rights framework for restraint framework Equality and Human rights Commission Published: March 2019 5 Example: isolation may be enforced by locking a door or using a door the person cannot open themselves, or otherwise preventing them from leaving an area, for example, by the use or threat of force.

7 Enforced isolation is therefore restraint , but it may be described as seclusion, segregation, separation, time out or solitary confinement . restraint does not require the use of physical force, or resistance by the person being restrained, and may include indirect acts of interference. Example: A carer takes away a disabled person s walking frame so that they cannot get out of their chair and walk around. This is an act of restraint . B | Unlawful restraint It is never lawful to use:4 1. restraint with intent to torture, humiliate, distress or degrade someone5 2. a method of restraining someone that is inherently inhuman or degrading, or which amounts to torture 3.

8 Physical force as a means of punishment, or 4. restraint that unnecessarily humiliates or otherwise subjects a person to serious ill treatment or conditions that are inhuman or degrading. Example: Handcuffing a prisoner to a hospital bed, or during a medical examination, is humiliating and diminishes their dignity. It may be unlawful if the prisoner does n ot pose such a risk of harm to the public or escaping that the handcuffing is necessary. restraint is more likely to amount to inhuman and degrading treatment when it is used on groups who are at particular risk of harm or abuse, such as detainees, children and disabled restraint that amounts to inhuman or degrading treatment can never be justified.

9 Subject to the absolute prohibitions in this section, the use of restraint may be lawful provided the legal framework , safeguards and its use in practice comply with the requirements set out Human rights framework for restraint framework Equality and Human rights Commission Published: March 2019 6 C | Legal framework There must be a legal framework governing the use of restraint that complies with the following principles: 1. The legal framework must include a legal power authorising the use of restraint :8 a) in the individual s circumstances, and b) for the intended purpose of the restraint .

10 The legal power to restrain may be contained in primary or secondary legislation, or derived from the common law. Examples: Section 6 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides lawful authority for restraint to be used (a) on a person who lacks capacity, where (b) it is reasonably believed to be necessary and proportionate to protect them from harm. 1. The purpose of the legal power to restrain granted by the legal framework must be for a legitimate and sufficiently weighty purpose that falls within one of the following grounds: a) the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country b) for the prevention of disorder or crime c) for the protection of health or morals, or d) for the protection of the rights and freedoms of 2.