The use of a new pain-free approach to Control and Restraint (C&R2) will be rolled out nationwide following a successful pilot.

C&R2 has been used successfully in HMP & YOI Polmont, HMP & YOI Stirling, and HMP Low Moss, where it has benefited both staff and prisoners.

It does not require the use of pain, through wrist flexion, except in life-threatening circumstances, or where there's a risk of life-altering injuries.

Individuals are also not required to be taken to the ground, making it safer for all, and reducing the risk of injuries.

The pilot at HMP & YOI Polmont, where it was first introduced, resulted in an 87 per cent reduction in the use of pain, 70 per cent reduction in people being taken to the floor, and no serious injuries to staff or prisoners in the second year.

It also supports good communication and relationships between staff and people in our care.

The Scottish Prison Service is the first in the world known to be trialing this for all groups of prisoners, and has attracted interest from other jurisdictions, and this is being covered by the BBC here.

Dr Frank Slokan, Theme Lead for Restraint Reduction, said: "The use of wrist flexions and pain-inducing holds with individuals who are significantly mentally distressed or have used substances, can escalate situations

“We've had a number of other prison services come to us and want to learn more about what we've been doing and that's not just in the UK, that's internationally.”

Iain Ramsay, Theme Lead for Resilience Training, added: "It's about the calm approach, understanding that these people have often faced massively traumatic experiences in their lives, that violence is maybe a part of their upbringing.

"Inflicting pain on that individual has no impact on them whatsoever because it's been the norm for them throughout their life.

“Controlling somebody and not actually applying that pain, gets them working with us quicker and gets them on side with us sooner.”

And Phil Fairlie, of the Prison Officers Association in Scotland, said: "We were a bit nervous and sceptical at the beginning as to whether this was going to work or not.

“What we've discovered is that we can take control of these situations, every bit as effectively as we used to do with the old control and restraint training.”