Body searches

In prison, security reasons mean that it is sometimes necessary to conduct body searches of detainees and visitors.

Body searches can be intimidating and humiliating, especially for women. That’s why there should be clear protocols to ensure body searches are conducted in a manner that respects the dignity of the person.

The APT calls for the protection of women detainees through consistent implementation of international standards regulating the use of body searches.

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The Bangkok Rules

Rule 19

Effective measures shall be taken to ensure that women prisoners’ dignity and respect are protected during personal searches, which shall only be carried out by women staff who have been properly trained in appropriate searching methods and in accordance with established procedures.

Rule 20

Alternative screening methods, such as scans, shall be developed to replace strip searches and invasive body searches, in order to avoid the harmful psychological and possible physical impact of invasive body searches.

Rule 21

Prison staff shall demonstrate competence, professionalism and sensitivity and shall preserve respect and dignity when searching both children in prison with their mother and children visiting prisoners.

Insights from practice