Spit hoods (anti-spit masks) (FOI)

​Request  

A

The number of times spit hoods have been deployed in 2016 so far, 2015 and 2014;

B

A breakdown of the gender, age and ethnicity of individuals who have had a spit hood placed on them in 2016 so far, 2015 and 2014;

C

A breakdown of the final outcome for the individuals upon whom the spit hood was used; eg charged, released without charge, cautioned;

D

The number of criminal charges made by the force for spitting in 2016 so far, 2015 and 2014.

Response

For completeness, this request has been presented to the services involved in the detention of persons, namely the States of Jersey Police, Jersey Customs & Immigration Service and the States of Jersey Prison Service.

States of Jersey Police

A-C

The States of Jersey Police do not possess ‘spit hoods’ and do not use them on prisoners.

D

Cases of officers being spat at whilst dealing with prisoners at PHQ:

• 2014 – 1 person charged
• 2015 – 4 persons charged
• 2016 – 3 persons charged

Jersey Customs & Immigration Service

A

• 2014 – nil
• 2015 – nil
• 2016 – 1

B

2016 – White European male aged 45

C

2016 – Charged

D

2016 – 1 person charged

States of Jersey Prison Service

A

There has been only one instance of a ‘spit hood’ being used at the Prison 2014 to 2016

B

2016 – White British male aged 44 years

C

2016 – No charge initiated

D

Not applicable

Please note: where applicable, the services detailed above only consider using ‘spit hoods’ in the control of detainees and prisoners to prevent potential assault and transmission of infection or disease.