GUIDE TO THE MILITARY CORRECTIVE TRAINING CENTRE

A GUIDE TO THE MILITARY CORRECTIVE TRAINING CENTRE LOCATION 1.

The Military Corrective Training Centre (MCT C) is located in Colchester, Essex.

2.

The postal address is: MCTC Berechurch Hall Camp Colchester Essex CO2 9NU Telephone: Facsimile:

Military 94660 6757 Military 94660 6708

Civilian 01206 81 6757 Civilian 01206 81 6708

INTRODUCTION 3. The principal function of MCTC is to detain personnel both male and female, of the three Services and civilians subject to Service Discipline Acts, in accordance with the Service Custody and Service of Relevant Sentencing Rules 2009. 4. The MCTC can hold up to 284 service personnel who have been sentenced to periods of detention up to 2 years or those in safe custody. There are 3 categories of detainee: a. A Company. Service Personnel Under Sentence (DUS) serving a sentence on completion of which they will remain in the Services including those whose administrative discharge has been applied for but not yet authorised. i. Induction Platoon. The aim of the Inductions platoon is to provide and ensure: A multi-discipline induction process which will help DUS deal with any concerns and promote their ability to cope in custody. A safe and secure environment which will allow DUS to gain knowledge and information to aid them in their transition to custody routines, regime and culture. That DUS are made aware of their rights and responsibilities and the options and assistance that are available to them during their period in custody. That DUS have access to information and assistance that will help them resettle into the community on release. b. D Company. Service Personnel Under Sentence (DUS) serving a sentence on completion of which they will be discharged from the Services. c.

Service Custody Platoon (SCP).

Safe Custody personnel (SCP)

i. Whilst under investigation ii. Awaiting trial iii. Awaiting transfer to HM Prison (Having been sentenced to imprisonment by courts-martial. iv. DUS undergoing periods of punishment (Close Confinement) – as awarded by the Commandant (Comdt) MCTC.

FUNCTIONS 5. A Company. To train and encourage DUS to improve their efficiency, discipline and morale. Instil in them the will to become better service personnel. This is achieved by means of creating a platoon ethos within the Company routine and a progressive training regime based on the Directive for Employment and Specialist Qualifications in the Infantry, as directed by the Inspector of Military Establishments (Army) (I of ME(A)) by; a. b. c. d. e.

Military Annual Training Tests (MATTs). Individual and Team skills. Appropriate leadership and confidence training. Special to Service skills as required. Literacy and numeracy remediation as required.

6. D Company. To instruct and guide DUS in order that they develop their potential for self sufficiency and responsible citizenship, by providing the appropriate rehabilitation training as directed by the I of ME(A) by; a. b. c. d. e. f.

Trade training courses. Project work in the local and wider community. Farm husbandry. Resettlement. Literacy and numeracy remediation as required. Vocational training.

STAFF 7. There are around 164, including all military and civilian employees. The Military staff is recruited from all 3 services. The Royal Air Force Regiment (RAF Regt) provides a Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) who assumes the role of Operation and Training Officer (Ops & Trg Offr) an d the Roya l Navy (RN) provides a Lieutenant (L t) as the Officer Commanding (OC) A Company. The majority of military staff have been recruited from units within the regular army for their all round ability and high quality man management and will voluntarily transfer to t he Adjutant General’s Corps (Military Provost Staff) (AGC(MPS)) after completing a 13 week probationers course, where the majority will complete their military careers. The Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Marines (RM) fulfil th ier commitment to MCTC staff by posting in staff for a specified period, normally around 18 to 24 months; these staff will also complete the majority of the probationers’ course. There are a small number of Junior Non-Commissioned Officers (JNCOs) posted in from other units within the regular army to fulfil military storekeeping and medical appointments. The civilian staff are employed to fill a number of roles including, teaching within the education centre, administrative appointments and store keeping roles.

MILITARY TRAINING 8. The Training Wing, under the command of the Ops & Trg Officer is responsible for the military and physical training of all military personnel. The training team consists of the Chief Instructor (CI) a WO2 (MPS) and the QMSI (RAPTC). Under the direction of the Chief Instructor he has 1 SSgt Admin and 9 Sgt instructors including one RM and another RAF Regt, where as the QMSI has one RN Petty Officer (PO), one RAF remedial Instructor, and three civilian SOI’s. 9.

The training regime consists of:

a. Training Platoon. All DUS complete a 14 week training cycle, comprising of military subjects including all MATTS. b. Right Turn. All DUS complete a 1 week programme where DUS address their applicable offending behaviour. c. Physical Training. Both medically fit and unfit soldiers will complete 5 PT lessons per week, designed to increase physical strength and stamina. d. Pre Deployment Training. deployment to operational theatres.

Conducted for members of staff prior to

e. Staff Induction Training. Conducted for all military and civilian employees to appraise them on safety and other MCTC issues. f. Custodial Training. Conducted primarily by two MPS sergeants dedicated to teaching from the Custodial training Wing, who instruct all units from the regular army on the Unit Custody Staff Course, the RAF custody course and the probationers’ course. g. Adventurous Training. Adventurous training expeditions are arranged for both Members of staff and DUS through out the year. h. Annual MATT Training. Conduct annual MATT training for staff and DUS to ensure all are current and competent. EDUCATION CENTRE 10. The Education Centre under the command of the SEO is responsible for the educational training of both A & D Company and the vocational training of D Company DUS. The training team consists of a number of civilian instructors, numbers fluctuating dependant on DUS numbers and specific course requirements. This is achieved by: a. Numeracy and Literacy Training. To improve their standard of written and oral communication in order to make them more receptive to training and increase their future employability. b. Construction Skills. skill level and qualification. c. Garage Skills. competency level.

Taught to an agricultural level giving the DUS a basic

Tyre and exhaust fitting taught to a nationally recognised

d. Fork Lift Driving/Operator. DUS who complete the full course gain the civilian diesel fork lift qualification with so me gaining the opportunity to complete the extended fork course.

e. Computer Based Courses. MCTC has a full integrated Army Learning Centre (ALC) providing a multitude of computer based courses including the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). f. Resettlement Training. Based on providing the skills required by the SUS to gain civilian employment at the earliest opportunity on release, including CV writing and interview skills. g. Library Access. MCTC has a moderate library, supplemented by the Army library Service that all SUS have access to. h.

Welding.

Giving DUS a basic skill level and qualification.

WELFARE 11. A retired commissioned officer is responsible for the welfare department. He is assisted by a SSgt and Sgt as well as a number of civilian administrative staff. He maintains close liaison with agencies such as Probation and After Care Services, Carillion Amey (Housing), Social Services and the Crown and Magistrates Courts. The welfare officer or his assistant will interview all DUS and DNUS on arrival to MCTC. REMISSION 12. DUS sentenced to periods in excess of 24 days are entitled to remission by law. Those sentenced between 24 and 35 days have every day in excess of 24 deducted and those with sentences in excess of 36 days have one third remission. STAGING SYSTEM 13. Central to MCTC’s rehabilitative regime is the Staging System through which all DUS are encouraged to progress (Reward for Effort). To progress within the staging system members of staff will record their daily observations on DUS’s performance and progress. These observations will form a weekly report from their respective Company, Education Centre or Training Wing and only for A Company the Gymnasium. Promotion through each stage is dependant on a series of criteria which all DUS are appraised of on admission. On successful attainment of each stage DUS receive increased privileges and are subject to fewer restrictions. MPS ARMY RESERVES 14. Number 1 Company Military Provost Staff (Reserves). The Reserve element of the MPS has been formally agreed from October 2006 and they formed in April 2007. They recruit uniquely for the reserve up to 50 years of age, predominantly from home office police forces, prison service or ex military persons who are employed within the civil security sector. Full recruitment capability is 7 officers and 86 warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers.

COMMANDING OFFICERS ADMISSION GUIDANCE 15. Admission. The procedure and action necessary before a person can be accepted at MCTC is laid down in JSP 837 and JSP 830 as well as The Service Custody and Service of Relevant Sentences Rules (SCSRSR 09). All units should have these documents available to them. 16. Documentation. The committal documentation varies dependant on the category of the detainee. The following must be adhered to: a.

SERVICE RN ARMY RAF

Admission after Sentence.

Awarded by CO

Awarded by Courts Martial held within United Kingdom

Awarded by Courts Martial held outside United Kingdom

T-SL-CUS05

T-SL-CUS05

T-SL-CUS05

T-SL-CUS01

Charge Sheet

Charge Sheet

TRN 1

TRN 1

i. The appointed Commanding Officer must sign the Committal Order personally on the day sentence was passed. ii. If more than one sentence is awarded then each must be annotated on the Committal Order to include if these sentences are to be served concurrent or consecutively. b.

Admission Pending Trail or Under Investigation of an Offence.

SERVICE

Committal Document

RN ARMY RAF

T-SL-CUS05 (If Subsequent reviews have been conducted) T-SL-CA003

Charge Sheet

SC1

i. Appointed Commanding Officer must sign the Committal Order personally. ii. Clearance for admission must be s ought in all cases through MOD PS 2( b) (A), RAF cases refer red to MOD 11 (POL) ( RAF) who will obtain clearance through PS 2(b) (A). iii. If there are any medical or psychological issues the MO MCTC must be contacted prior to admission