A Cross Discipline Approach to Reducing the Force Experienced by Women in Prison

WICC2025 Presentation by Gareth Wheeler and Clarice Watkinson (WICC2025-PID156)

Authors

Gareth Wheeler

Use of Force Assurance and Practise Development Lead, HMPPS, England

Gareth Wheeler joined HMPPS in 2005 as a Prison Officer, working in the adult male reception prison environment. In 2010 Gareth progressed as a specialist Physical Education Instructor, focusing on the health, wellbeing and teaching of prisoners in physical education coaching and instructor qualifications. Leading on various initiatives including progressing a smoke free environment, and the Twinning Project partnership, as well as developing local Use of Force practise and assurance measures. Gareth went on to achieve operational management accreditation, first as a Custodial Manager and then Head of Function.
In 2020 Gareth was appointed as Use of Force Assurance and Practise Development Lead within the Operational Response and Resilience Unit, Directorate of Security. His operational experience allowed Gareth to lead of the development and implementation of a national support model that has been adopted across the organisation and lead to significant improvements in capability and policy within the field of Use of Force. Achievements include the facilitation of collaborative pilots with psychology colleagues to explore the specific risks and needs associated with segments of the population including young adults and women. Recently promoted to Operational Procedures Development Manager, Gareth’s breadth of experience has proved to be invaluable in taking the learning from previous roles to support the unit to develop robust and effective delivery models across all specialist provision, centred on the continuous development of support, capability building and confidence in front line operations across the prison estate.

Clarice Watkinson

Use of Force Evidence Specialist, HMPPS, England

Clarice Watkinson is an Evidence Specialist in Use of Force in the HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Her belief that rehabilitation is fundamental to creating safe, fair, and procedurally just prison environments has driven her to pursue a career in the Criminal Justice System. Clarice believes that evidence and research are vital to informing the decision-making process of Senior Leadership and policy change and is a big advocate of prisoner voice. Witnessing first-hand the impact of evidence-informed decisions on the operational line that have the potential to make a positive difference to those in HMPPS’ care, coupled with the desire to change people’s perceptions of prisons, is what drives her enthusiasm as an Evidence Specialist.

Clarice’s biggest achievement to date is conducting the first estate-wide use of force evaluation that integrated evidence from an operational perspective with evidence from a perspective of those in HMPPS’ care, and informed positive changes to make prisons safer places to work and live. Another achievement was an in-depth literature review that explored disproportionate use of force among authority figures; a topic that Clarice feels very strongly about. Prior to becoming an Evidence Specialist, Clarice worked as a Safety Analyst in HMPPS supporting prisons to effectively analyse and utilise their safety data. She also has experience of working in the operational frontline as a Mental Health Crisis Worker.

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