. Please say which region you are in.
# Post arrest support
# Arrest welfare
**Arrest Welfare Team: Contact:** XR-ArrestWelfare@protonmail.com
We will do our best to support you through the post arrest process. Here is a list of what is available from our team. Please always get in touch with us about any of these, or if you ever need any other help, information or advice. And be sure to let us know straightaway if you are charged so that we can send you additional information and contacts.
#### Personal and individual telephone support
Telephone supporters are available through our Post Arrest Liaison (PAL) network and will provide a sympathetic and practical ear. They can introduce you to relevant resources and provide a supportive link to the XR arrest support network. They can give support following arrest, and throughout the court process to the end of the trial. So do let us know if you would like someone to give you a call.
#### [Trained Emotional Support Network](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1431#bkmrk-page-title)
The TESN team offers further emotional support, by trained practitioners, free of charge, to any rebel who is in need of it. If this is something you would like to take up please contact them direct at tesn@tesn.uk
#### Links to local Arrest Support teams
Some local groups are organising their own arrest support teams. If you give your consent we will contact them on your behalf. If you haven’t let us know where you’re based please get in touch with that information.
#### Self-representing defendants peer to peer chat groups
XR Legal have set up an email group for charged defendants who are self representing. Please e-mail xr-legal@riseup.net if you'd like to be added to this group.
#### XR Charged Defendants chat groups on Mattermost and on Telegram
Many rebels find these a helpful source of information, support and contacts. If you have been charged and you would like to be added, please get in touch with us.
#### Plea Hearing and Trial Support
For London based trials - and increasingly across the Regions/Nations. We will ensure that defendants have supporters either in person or by phone to provide practical and emotional support throughout the process. Please make sure we know about your court dates so that we can arrange this.
#### Support with financial costs
**Defendants' Travel expenses** - Follow this link to reclaim money spent on court related travel.
We work closely with the **Legal Support Team**. Most importantly, **Funded Support** is available to everyone who is charged. Please be sure to check out the [information in this toolkit on Financial support for charged rebels](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1746#bkmrk-financial-support-fo).
The legal support team can be contacted direct at xr-legal@riseup.net and there is a wealth of useful information on the Informed Dissent website https://informeddissent.info/
#### Data and contact issues
We will be in touch intermittently by email with updates. Please let us know if you do not want to be contacted. If you do not want your details kept on our database just let us know. This will mean we will not be able to be in touch with you directly to offer support but you can of course still get in touch with us.
# Support through the Court Process
**Important Note:** This information applies to activists being tried in English and Welsh courts only. There is a different system for trials taking place in Scotland. For information on this please visit [SCALP](https://www.scottishactivistlegalproject.co.uk/).
### What does the court process look like?
For an outline of the court process, please refer to the latter half of the
arrest flowchart.
**Magistrates Court**
- If you are facing trial in a magistrates court, please read this guide which contains an
overview of the court process, important considerations and guidance on how to self represent.
- A
description of the court process from an XR activists perspective can be found here.
**Crown Court**
- If you have a trial in the crown court, this following guide will provide you
information on the process of self representing in a crown court trial.
### Financial support for charged rebels
Thanks to generous donations raised through crowdfunding, there is funded support available for charged XR rebels.
Please read through the entire page linked below to ensure that you are aware of all the support available and know how to access it:
https://informeddissent.info/access2justice
### Pleading guilty or not guilty
- Considerations when deciding whether to plead guilty or not guilty
- When making this decision it is also important to consider the
financial costs of pleading guilty or not guilty
# Planning an action?
The majority of the things you need to think about are in the Action Planning book, elsewhere on the Toolkit. However there are two things that are relevant to providing arrestee and legal support at an action.
- Legal Observer support
- Back Office support
# How to request a Legal Observer for a protest
Legal observers have a vital role to play in supporting the right to protest. But what exactly do legal observers do - and how can you request a legal observer?
Legal observers are trained volunteers who support the legal rights of activists. They act as independant witnesses to police behaviour, monitor arrests and provide Know Your Rights information to people on demonstrations.
Many people are worried about the risk of arrest and police intimidation at actions they are planning. Having legal support in place before an action can help people stay safer. There are useful tips around this in the Green and Black Cross guide planning an action.
The Independent Legal Observers Network (ILON) may be able to provide legal observers to support your action on the day. To request a legal observer, email ILON and including the following details:
- The exact location of the protest
- The start time and expected end time
- The issue, and name of the organising group
- Any social media links for the protest
- A contact number for the day, in case it's needed
The more notice you can give the better, so please let them know basic details as soon as you start planning to call the demo/protest. A week's notice or more is ideal. You can contact ILON at [legal-observer-network@protonmail.com](mailto:legal-observer-network@protonmail.com).
PLEASE NOTE if you are in Scotland, you will need to contact the Scottish Community & Activist Legal Project for support.
# Back Office support for an action
Back Office consists of a group of trained volunteers. The main functions of Back Office during an action are to:
- Compile and maintain a record of arrestees;
- Co-ordinate, and remain in contact with, supporters at police stations to which arrestees have been taken;
- Respond to phone calls, mainly from: people reporting arrests, arrestees (custody calls), friends and family members of arrestees, people reporting on incidents such as police misbehaviour, rebels with legal questions.
We also liaise with Arrest Welfare so that arrestees can be supported later in their journey, for example with Court Support and financial support.
Most regions are supported by the main Arrestee and Legal Support Back office; East of England has a regional Back Office that can support EofE groups taking local action.
If you are coordinating an action and would like Back Office support:
- Use this form to request Back Office cover for your action https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/apps/forms/s/DcxrjgPGAFbAjpDdjLkbxbbW
- Once you have completed it notify Back Office you have done so by emailing backoffice@riseup.net
In addition:
- Please ask rebels willing to do Police Station Support (PSS) for their team to join one of the three WhatsApp groups listed below. A PSSC (PSS coordinator) will post in them when a police station is confirmed as 'live' and supporters can then join the relevant station group and post their offers of support there.
A fuller guide to doing PSS is available on the Toolkit.
- WhatsApp group joining links:
- https://chat.whatsapp.com/HX07vNTURqLEyVgDo012NI
- https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFZpuvZtVMy2wN0w5AHIOr
- https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMi8rrD9C7ZBzlKm3OUtuZ
For East of England regional Back Office only email xr-eoe-backoffice@protonmail.com
# Volunteering with Arrestee and Legal Support
For opportunities other than those described below, see the Volunteer website
# Back Office
Without a Back Office we wouldn’t know who’d been arrested and therefore which police station they’d been taken to, or be able to offer the arrestee the support they need for the rest of their journey, for example Court Support and financial support. During an action we have people, like you, on rota offering support. The majority of this work is done remotely from home.
Supporting arrestees is an amazing feeling and being a part of Back Office is a way to be directly involved. It’s a great way to take action if you need to work from home or aren’t in a position to put yourself forward for arrest. We will train you and offer you as much support as you need.
The work includes taking calls from arrestees in police stations and rebels on the ground reporting arrests. This information is recorded in a database. We then do call-outs for rebels on the ground to support arrestees from the moment they’re released from the police station. We also take calls from friends and family of arrestees, reports of police misbehaviour and pass on legal questions to the Legal circle.
A&LS Back Office is staffed by volunteers under the supervision of members of the A&LS BO team. The supervisor is known as the Back Office Coordinator and is the volunteers’ point of contact for enquiries during a shift. There are two main volunteer roles:
- Back Office Volunteer - takes calls using XR’s online switchboard and usually works in shifts of 3 or 6 hours. At busy times several may be on shift together so the workload will be shared.
- Police Station Support Coordinator - ensures arrested rebels are met on release by Police Station Supporters. They send call-outs to the on-the-ground Police Station Supporters who, if they can offer support outside a police station, will then be added to a rota. The Police Station Support Coordinator manages the rota by liaising with the Police Station Supporters.
If you are interested in these roles, email backoffice@riseup.net
# Police Station Supporters (PSS)
#### Role of Police Station Supporters (PSSs)
- Greet and emotionally support arrestees as they leave the police station
- Ensure that personal details from arrestees, including about their arrest and release, are collected via XR’s online ArrestWatch system
- Ensure the welfare of arrestees, eg by offering something to eat and drink, and by offering advice or other assistance in getting back to base, or if this is not possible, advice on where to find overnight accommodation
- Provide information to arrestees about what to do next and the practical, legal and emotional support available via XR
- Gather on-the-ground information, eg about how many arrestees are being held in the station
- Liaise with XR Back Office, via the Police Station Support Coordinator (PSSC) for the relevant station
#### Becoming a PSS
There’s no recruitment process: everyone’s welcome to help with this rewarding task and we can almost always use more supporters. Our arrestees often mention how much they appreciated seeing a friendly face when they emerged from the police station.
#### Training for PSSs
As well as reading the guidelines below, you can watch these videos:
- Short (20 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2IdBymn_hA
- Long (54 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8TnjLJ-08
- **Note:** These videos are slightly out-of-date; updates are summarized in this document
#### Resources needed by PSSs
- A smartphone with WhatsApp installed, and possibly Signal, depending on the geographical area.
- A portable charger
- Access to XR’s Police Station map
- *For arrestees*
- Link to XR’s on-line post-release form: https://arrestwatch.info/pss
- Hand sanitizer, wipes
- Food and drink, eg sealed bottles of water; flasks of hot drinks; snacks (preferably vegan, and if possible avoiding allergens such as nuts)
- Basic first-aid equipment, eg plasters, paracetamol (sealed and labelled)
- Up to date transport information, local taxi numbers
- Information about any emergency overnight accommodation available (from the PSSC)
- Cash to lend to arrestees if needed.
- *For yourself:*
- XR identifiers (eg badge) to help arrestees find you
- Camping chair & blanket /warm clothes/umbrella (police station waiting rooms aren’t always accessible)
- Refreshments
- Reading material
- Pen and paper
- Information about procedures for claiming expenses from XR (see [below](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1412#bkmrk-pss-expenses))
#### Getting involved
Ideally, Police Station Supporters will have been able to prepare for the role. In practice, rebels often decide to offer support during a protest, eg. when friends are arrested - that’s cool too. Advice and help will be easily accessible, from either fellow supporters or from the Police Station Support Coordinator (PSSC) via the station WhatsApp/Signal group - or otherwise from Back Office.
Call-outs for PSSs are made as needed in XR’s Arrestee Support WhatsApp groups (see below) and in the WhatsApp/Signal chats associated with the relevant stations.
People intending in advance to offer support are invited to join one of XR’s three AS (Arrestee Support) WhatsApp groups. These are duplicate groups: ideally there’d be a single group but the maximum capacity of a WhatsApp group is less than the number of people we need to accommodate. So please join only one of the groups:
- AS 1
- AS 2
- AS 3
Identify from the Police Station map the stations you can access and join the relevant Station WhatsApp/Signal groups in advance. Get to know your local police station and the surrounding area. You’ll may have to wait outside the station so plan accordingly. For example:
- Is there a waiting room, and if so, what are the opening times?
- Would you feel safe waiting outside the Police Station, especially overnight?
- What time do trains and buses run?
- Is there public parking near the police station?
- Location of nearest public loos
- Rebels wishing to support friends at a particular station should directly join the relevant Police Station WhatsApp/Signal group linked on the Police Station map.
#### Police Station (PS) groups
Joining links for all the Station groups are accessible from XR’s Police Station Map. All these stations have a custody suite, apart from a few that are awaiting deletion from the map. During a mass resistance, arrestees tend to be taken to the larger stations, including some on the outskirts of London, rather than those with small custody suites. So to be ready to offer support, it’s worth joining several PS groups as well as an AS group.
When no arrestees are being held at a Police Station, the settings of the related WhatsApp groups are intended to prevent posts other than by Admins, to avoid spamming. When we know arrestees are on their way, the station will be classified as ‘active’, a call-out will be made, and the group will be opened up so that supporters can respond to the call-out.
A Police Station Support Coordinator (PSSC), based in Back Office, will be associated with each WhatsApp/Signal group. The PSSC is responsible for creating a support rota; for liaising with supporters via the group chat; and for providing any information and advice they need.
Please use the group chat for communication with the PSSC where possible, rather than private messages - this can help to avoid confusion on the part of other supporters. In some circumstances, however, you’ll need to exchange confidential information and should do so by private message or phone. In particular arrestees’ names/contact details, and those of their family, should *never* be posted in the WhatsApp/Signal group.
The headers of some PS groups contain useful information about the station, eg position of exits, accessibility of waiting rooms. If you discover new information during your shift, please let your PSSC know, so that it can be recorded.
Your PSSC is there to help you, so please ask if you need anything.
#### PSS Shifts
You’ll agree your shift with the PSSC. We aim to ensure continuous cover outside the PS, from around 4h after the first arrest to around 24h after the likely check-in time of the most recent arrestee.
Please try to arrive on time, or let the PSSC know if you’re unavoidably delayed - the supporters before you may need to leave on time and we’ll try to make arrangements to avoid a gap.
We aim to arrange for each PS to have at least two supporters at a time, or sometimes more depending on the number of exits from the station. Occasionally we can only recruit one supporter - if you prefer not to support alone, at all or at some times of the day/night, please let your PSSC know.
At the beginning of your shift, it can be helpful to confirm how many rebels are in custody. Your PSSC may suggest asking at the Custody desk, either by going in or via the outside phone. Officers don’t have to tell you anything. They may ask for the names of the arrestees you’re enquiring about: **do not give any information**: the arrestee may have decided to withhold their details.
Not everyone using the PS will be associated with XR: other arrestees may be leaving, as will police officers - some not in uniform. Supporters of other arrestees may be waiting; and occasionally there may be members of the press fishing for information about rebels. Without being antisocial, **share information with care**.
You may able to identify rebels’ lawyers as they leave the station, and can then get useful information about the number of remaining XR arrestees - please pass this on to your PSSC.
Sometimes the Police will tell PSSs that the station is now empty. This might or might not be reliable - you should not accept any information at face value.
If you think the station is empty, inform your PSSC and they will advise you what to do.
**If you feel unsafe at any time, please let your PSSC know.**
Your point of contact is your PSSC, via the PS group: if they are unresponsive, or you need information they aren’t providing, please contact A&LS Back Office on 07749 335574
#### Supporting Arrestees
You’ll need to try to identify every arrestee as they’re released, which isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Rebels don’t always have identifiers such as XR logos, and they may not be looking out for you. They may be released from a little-used exit, so it’s important to ensure that the supporters can collectively see all the exits all the time. Officers sometimes give misleading information about the exits used for release: it’s wise not to rely on their ‘helpfulness’.
When you’ve identified an arrestee, remember that they’ve just been locked up for some time and in that situation, different people may want and need different things - so be sensitive, beginning with their emotional needs. Then move on to practical needs, and finally ensure that you elicit the information needed by XR to provide ongoing support.
Information about a rebel’s release is collected in one or two ways: by the PSSs and/or via the on-line form.
- Ideally the information will be collected only once, via the on-line release form before the rebel leaves the PS: https://arrestwatch.info/pss. Please familiarize yourself with the information being requested. The form includes a requirement for the rebel to agree to XR’s Privacy Policy under GDPR, and **must** be submitted by the rebel in person. If they don’t have their own phone, it would be great if supporters could lend their phone so that the form can be completed.
- Sometimes rebels prefer not to complete the form straight away: in that case, please give them the link and ask them to fill it in later, so that XR can contact them to offer post-arrest support, including financial and legal support.
- If the release form isn’t completed immediately, Back Office still needs to know that the rebel has been released. Please ask for their name, and communicate that by DM or phone to the PSSC. This helps us to judge whether the station is empty.
If it’s not possible to give them the link, please ask then to contact xr-legal@riseup.net or xr-arrestwelfare@protonmail.com and ask for an on-line copy - these e-mail addresses are shown on the XR website.
Encourage arrestees to write up a statement about what happened at the time of their arrest, while it’s still fresh in their mind. This is particularly important when there are concerns about police behaviour.
Sometimes arrestees are released late at night, and will be unable to get back to base. During a mass resistance, accommodation options may be available - please ask your PSSC.
The 7Fs may help you to remember what to do:
- **Friendly** and empathetic to the needs and emotions of the arrestee
- **First aid** and mental health support
- **Food and drink**, being conscious of dietary requirements
- **Fill** out the online release form (the arrestee needs to do this, not the PSS), or ensure they have a link to do so later
- **Future**: give them a link to the post-arrest handout
- **Finance**: ensure the arrestee has money for transport and somewhere to stay
- **Finish** by letting the PSSC know of the release (unless the arrestee has submitted the release form)
#### Appropriate Adults
The Police must ensure that a vulnerable person or a minor (under 18) is supported in custody by an Appropriate Adult. We encourage people who intend to get arrested and who need an Appropriate Adult to organize this for themselves, in advance, but sometimes this doesn’t happen. In such a situation, the Police may ask the PSS to help with this role. You can fulfil this role if you wish, ensuring that there’ll be adequate support left outside the PS, but should not feel under pressure to do so. If you become aware that officers are seeking an Appropriate Adult, tell them you’ll consult XR for advice - otherwise, they may recruit someone from local Social Services, which is not always a good option for the arrestee.
#### PSS Expenses
XR is aware that the role of PSSs implicitly involves expenditure, eg on snacks for arrestees, and the possibility of needing to give money to arrestees for travel. We very much appreciate the generosity of many supporters in freely providing food and drink, and sometimes more, for arrestees. We also recognize that some supporters are unable to contribute financially, and their in-person support is not less valued.
For those who need it, we have a limited pot of money that can be used to reimburse PSSs for things like snacks for arrestees; arrestees’ travel (if they have no money and have to ask the PSS to help out); cost of a taxi for a vulnerable arrestee (should be discussed with your PSSC); and PSS travel if travelling beyond a local area (should be discussed with PSSC in advance).
For guidance on what is covered and how to claim, please ask your PSSC.
If you think you may need to make a claim from XR, please ask your PSSC for a link to the claim form; keep receipts where possible and make a claim within 24h, so that XR can keep track of claims and give fair warning if the money is all spent and refunds are no longer possible.
**Thank you for your interest in Police Station Supporting!
It’s a rewarding role and we hope it will also be fun :)**
____________________________
*(last updated 25 March 2022* - Source copy held on Next Cloud at: https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/f/787574 (internal link))
# Court supporters
This page is about supporting at plea hearings and at magistrates court trials. It describes the role of an XR Court Supporter, the preparations needed, court procedures, note-taking at a plea hearing, note-taking at a trial, and sending reports back to Arrestee & Legal Support (ALS). If you are doing Court Support at a Crown Court trial and need guidance, please email **arrestwelfare@protonmail.com** or message the [Arrestee and Legal Support Mattermost Reception Channel](https://organise.earth/uk/channels/arrestee-and-legal).
**The reason we do Court Support is to:**
- Provide emotional support and practical assistance to defendants, e.g
a listening ear and encouragement; information about reimbursement of travel expenses and other resources, links to further support if needed.
- Demonstrate XR’s principles and values through our presence and behaviour.
- Make notes of the pleas/verdicts, court costs, sentences, trial dates or other outcomes for the benefit of the defendant and to inform XR’s legal strategy.
### Interested in becoming a court supporter?
Email **arrestwelfare@protonmail.com** or message the [Arrestee and Legal Support Mattermost Reception Channel](https://organise.earth/uk/channels/arrestee-and-legal). Make sure you specify that you would like to volunteer as a Court Supporter.
### Key dos and don'ts
- **Always respect the privacy and personal space of the defendant(s)**
- Introduce yourself and your role as court supporter; let them know you are available if they have any questions. Give them time to orient themselves. They may have friends/family with them or may want time to themselves.
- If they want to chat, please do, but remember you are there to do a job. Be aware of others in the vicinity: other defendants who might want to approach you; non-XR people (e.g. police) who might overhear information that could compromise the defendant's case.
- Do not join discussions between solicitors and defendants unless invited. Don’t make suggestions about how to plead or which defence to use. Discussions between solicitor and defendant are confidential.
- If family or friends are accompanying a defendant, they have priority over you. Don’t assume you can join their discussions. If family/friends want to sit in the public gallery and there are not enough seats, do your best to make this possible (people could take turns, or you may need to give up your seat for a while and ask the defendant’s friend to give you a report of what happens while you’re not there). You, as a Court Supporter, do not have a right to be in the public gallery ahead of anyone else (only media and police have that right). Your position must be negotiated.
- **We do not offer legal opinions or advice.** If a qualified person from XR Legal is on hand (either in person or by phone) they may be able to offer such advice. Sometimes a solicitor representing one of the defendants is willing to answer questions from others. Most defendants are making use of XR’s Access to Justice scheme so will have had a discussion with a solicitor before their plea hearing.
### Before the hearing/trial
#### Supplies needed:
- A notebook, pen(s), fully charged phone, and drinking water (for yourself).
- Bring vegan snacks to share if you wish - products individually wrapped by the manufacturer are preferred.
- For plea hearings – bring the list of defendants received from the Court Support Coordinator and hard copies of the plea hearing templates used to record information about unexpected defendants
- For trials - names of defendants and copy of the trial observation template
#### At the court building
You will need to go through airport-style security when you enter the court building, and must take a sip of any drinks you bring with you.
Security is getting stricter and can vary from one court to another. Any item (e.g., XR badges, flags, placards, sharp objects etc) that is not allowed in will be held for you at the security point. You will be given a receipt to collect the item when you leave. Sometimes, XR visitors have had to turn all bags inside out to show everything they have. Frisking of visitors also happens on occasion.
Court sessions normally run from 10am – 1pm and from 2pm – 4pm. Defendants will have been told to arrive at 9.30 am for the morning or 1.30 pm for the afternoon session. You should arrive at these same times.
#### The list of defendants
The Arrestee & Legal Support Comms team maintains a database of all arrests and court appearances that are submitted to them from the Rebellion Back Office, Police Station Supporters, arrestees and charged defendants, and from Court Supporters.
The Court Support Coordinator prepares a list of the charged rebels who are due to appear on a specific date/time at a specific court. They may also attach notes to the list and ask you to try to collect contact details or GDPR information that is missing.
Most courts post next day trial and plea hearing information on [courtserve.net](https://courtserve.net/). Anyone can use CourtServe with a simple registration. This resource shows the daily court lists with names and courtroom numbers. (Caution:The information is not always up to date and complete.)
You will need to compare the XR list you have been given with the court’s list of defendants. The court list is posted on a notice board after the security check point and near the main entrance of the court building. Make a note of the courtroom number and any names that you think may be XR but are not on your list.
Find the courtroom you need and identify the ‘court list officer’ (aka court usher). You may want to identify yourself to them as part of the XR Court Support team. At plea hearings they may ask you to help them identify the XR defendants (or contact them if they don’t turn up on time).
We aim to have two people for each session (morning and afternoon): both to ensure back-up if due to unforeseen circumstances one volunteer is late or is unable to attend, and to collaboratively share the tasks when working together. If it seems that more than one courtroom will be used the number of supporters will be increased if possible.
#### Court Layout
- The Bench – where the District Judge or Magistrates sit
- Clerk of the Court sits close to the Bench, an administrator who is legally trained
- Defence and prosecution attorneys face the Bench and sit side by side.
- Behind the attorneys, 1-2 rows for defendants and others (e.g. McKenzie friend, trainee solicitors). Defendants may be in a transparent enclosed area until called to the witness stand.
- The witness stand is located on one side of courtroom, usually adjacent to the Clerk of the Court.
- Public Gallery near the entrance to courtroom, may be an open space or enclosed area.
#### Court Etiquette
- The ‘court is sitting’ or ‘court is in session’, when the Magistrates or District Judge is in the courtroom.
- Follow the instructions of the Court Clerk – e.g. “All rise”
- Be quiet when court is in session.
- Phone to silent or off, only whispers, be quiet when moving around.
- You may be sanctioned for using your phone’s data functions and could be ordered out of the court. Take care.
- Do not take photos in the courtroom or anywhere in the building
- You may go in and out of the public gallery when court is in session, but do so quietly and infrequently.
- Once the Magistrate/Judge leaves the courtroom you can talk and move around. You may talk to the solicitors, defendants, and court officers.
- At the end of the session the court staff will want to lock up. Be prepared to leave quickly and make sure you have all your belongings with you.
- Disobedience in the dock: if a defendant decides to Disobey in the Dock we do not interfere. Let the court officials and solicitors deal with it. Make notes and pay attention, you may need to notify others about what takes place and where the defendant is taken. Do not use social media to publicise the event. We must maintain our independence and access to the courts. If seen to aid the defendants you could be at risk of being found ‘in contempt of court’, which could result in a jail sentence.
Outside each court room is a waiting area. The courtroom itself is usually locked until shortly before the session begins. When in the public gallery try to position yourself so that you can hear as much as possible. The louvre barrier which is usual in the public gallery can make it difficult to hear. You will also want to have sight of the screen where police body worn video transmissions are shown.
### Plea hearings
All defendants should have been sent a “Statement of assets and other financial circumstances” form (MC100). Hopefully, defendants will have come with these forms already filled in. For defendants who are pleading Not Guilty, they will need to complete the Preparation for Effective Trial (PET) form. The A2J solicitor may have already helped their clients with this form. Unrepresented defendants may be able to get help from an XR solicitor if one is present. The Court’s duty solicitor and even the prosecuting attorney have been known to assist self-repping defendants with the PET form on occasion. Court Supporters should not assist with these forms (unless they are part of XR Legal).
- PET form
- “Statement of assets and other financial circumstances” form (MC100) which the court will use in setting the level of court costs and fines.
If there is an XR defendant at the plea hearing who is not on your list, try to use the [Template for Plea Hearing Data](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i5RHm02hQ3CoZeNzfrCTUAS7yH8__ktJW2Wzr_JQlJA/) to record their details. HOWEVER, the defendant does not have to give us any information. You can explain the value of giving us their details (i.e. we can send them helpful information, we can follow their progress through court and link them with legal arguments and other defendants who could benefit from their experience). Ultimately, it is entirely their choice.
If they don’t want to complete the form, you can give them the email address of the Arrestee & Legal Support Comms Team and tell them to contact that address if they later have a question. (XR-ArrestWelfare@protonmail.com)
#### Court Proceedings at a Plea Hearing
A District Judge or a panel of 2-3 lay Magistrates presides at the Magistrates Court. It is an expected courtesy that everyone stands when they enter and leave the courtroom. The Judge/Magistrate is addressed as Sir or Madam.
After the preliminaries of establishing the identity of the defendant and details of the charge, a plea of Guilty or Not Guilty is submitted.
##### Not Guilty
If the plea of Not Guilty is entered, the arrangements are made for the trial. This is not the time for the defendant to explain their actions. This will take place at the trial. The details on the PET form (see above) will determine how much time should be allowed for the trial. The date will depend on the availability of a courtroom, and the availability of the witnesses and the defendant.
Court supporters’ notes need to include the Not Guilty plea, the trial date(s), trial location and amount of time allocated (e.g. half day starting in the morning or afternoon, or one or more full days). Other details such as the imposition or lifting of bail conditions, name of the solicitor or whether the defendant is representing themself are useful also.
##### Guilty
When a Guilty plea is entered, the Prosecutor will present the evidence against the defendant. If the Judge decides the evidence is insufficient, they will dismiss the case and the hearing is over. If the Judge is satisfied with the evidence, they will accept the guilty plea and determine the penalty, which is usually a Conditional Discharge for 6 (or more) months, OR a fine. They will also state the amount of the prosecution costs the defendant must pay (for most first offences this is less than £85 plus the mandatory Victim Surcharge (VS) of around £26 (as of July 2022) but the information on the MC100 form may reduce these costs, and previous convictions may increase the costs).
Make a note of the Guilty plea, the penalty, and the prosecution costs (incl Victim Surcharge). On rare occasion an Absolute Discharge may be given. Make a note of anything that seems unusual.
When pleading guilty, defendants are generally allowed to make a verbal statement of mitigation explaining their action (usually for no longer than 5 minutes). These are often very powerful statements and very emotional for the defendants.
##### ‘Non-appearances’.
When a defendant does not turn up at the plea hearing, their case tends to be discussed at the end of the morning or afternoon session. The discussion is between the prosecutor and the Judge/Magistrates after all the other defendants have finished. It is important for a Court Supporter to stay in the courtroom until the very end (i.e. the Judge leaves the room) to make notes of these discussions. The defendants who are not present may have contacted the court to ask for an adjournment for a short period of time, or may have sent in a ‘written plea of guilt’, or may have simply not appeared with no explanation. In this latter case, it is likely the defendant’s guilt will be ‘proved in their absence’ and a more severe penalty will be given.
The other way you may be able to get information about ‘non-appearances’ is from the Court List Officer or the Court Clerk.
Defendants may leave at varying times once their hearing is over. Try to ensure that each defendant is personally thanked and leaves knowing that our good wishes go with them.
Once you are back home again, send your report to the Comms team on XR-ArrestWelfare@protonmail.com. Put “DaisyChain (date) (Name of Court)” in the subject line, (e.g. DaisyChain 1 Dec 2022 Westminster Magistrates), attach your report and write any additional notes in the message.
When your report has been submitted, destroy any hardcopy notes and forms, and delete records from your phone or computer (including from Trash).
### Trials
Most of our trials are in the Magistrates Court. Crown Court cases have different procedures and are not covered in this document. Court support coordinators contact defendants prior to the trial to check details, e.g. charge, plea (which is sometimes changed before the trial), court and time of trial (both of which may have changed between the plea hearing and trial). It also allows us to check if a defendant is represented by solicitors or will be self-representing, and if they have had or need legal advice, or need support in attending court, and any other considerations including whether they are happy to have court support. Most defendants respond but some don’t for various reasons. It has to be remembered this is their trial and not an XR action.
#### On the day of the trial
Defendants, legal representatives, friends, family and court support volunteers should arrive at the court at least half hour before the trial. When entering the court building a security check takes place, see [At the court building](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1413#bkmrk-at-the-court-buildin) above. There will be court lists at the main entrance to the court. It is wise to check these to ensure your information is accurate and the court room or times have not been changed on the day, which sometimes happens.
Defendants and those involved will usually be in the waiting room or might be in a consultation room preparing for the trial. You should not enter the consultation rooms but remain in the waiting room. It is very important to be respectful of defendants, legal representatives, friends, and family. Our intervention can be seen as interference. Sensitivity is important. Court list officers will come in and out to check that defendants and others are in attendance. They may ask why you are attending. Officially you are just a member of the public and it is often best to identify yourself as such, although it can be helpful to identify as XR court support if the defendant has not turned up and you can assist in trying to contact them.
You will have a Trial Observation Form which outlines the information needed. You can write directly into the form but it is worth having additional paper for making notes. Most volunteers find it best to make notes and type them later into the form template which expands as needed.
#### Court proceedings
The trial begins with the Judge or magistrate briefly outlining the charge, making sure everyone is in court and the defendants are correctly named and have not changed their plea to guilty, which they are able to do at this point. If the defendant still maintains their innocence, the prosecution will put their case to the court.
The prosecutor will outline the charge(s) and call witnesses, usually the senior police officer and the arresting officer. The police body worn video will usually be shown. The defence can cross examine (question) the witnesses.
Next the defence will put their case and call witnesses. The defendant may be called to the witness stand. If a defendant is self-representing, they may decide to give evidence from the witness stand. If they are called or decide to give evidence in the witness stand, this evidence is admissible in the trial and the defendant can be cross-examined by the prosecution.
There is then a summing up by both the prosecution and the defence. The Judge or Magistrates will usually leave the court to consider the verdict. Finally, the Judge or Magistrates will decide on the case, sum up and state their verdict.
If the verdict is ‘*not guilty*’ or ‘*case dismissed*’, the case is closed and the trial ends. The defendant can claim for reimbursement of their legal and travel costs.
If the verdict is '*guilty*', then the Judge will decide the sentence. They will ask for the defendant’s financial circumstances before sentencing (Form MC100). The Judge or Magistrates may decide that the sentencing should take place on a different day and/or at a different court.
The contribution toward prosecution costs ranges from £150 - £800 depending on length of trial. This cost can be shared between co-defendants if there are any. A Victim Surcharge will also be added. A Conditional Discharge of 9 months or 12 months is usual. Fines are sometimes imposed instead of the Conditional Discharge, and in cases of criminal damage there may be costs of making good the damage.
If the trial is longer than one day, the observation and note-taking may be shared between 2-3 people. The notes then need to be compiled into one report before being sent to informeddissent@riseup.net (also send a copy to XR-ArrestWelfare@protonmail.com)
### After the trial
There might be cause for anger or celebration. Whichever it is, save any emotional outbursts or comment until you are outside the court.
We have a relationship with XR media and you may need/want to be in contact with our photographers or media people and help facilitate publicity. BUT it is important to respect the wishes of the defendant about media involvement.
Write up and send off the trial observation report as soon as possible. These reports are very important and used to enable support and advise legal strategy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
**About Data Protection and Security**
- All court supporters should get a protonmail account if they don’t already have one. It is free of charge.
- Also if you have not already done so, please complete the XR Volunteer Agreement https://actionnetwork.org/forms/xr-data-protection-agreement-2 and forward the confirmation email to XR-arrestwelfare@protonmail.com
*Love and Gratitude from the Court Support Coordinators (Cristine, Sofia, David)*
_______________________
*(Last updated: January 2024)*
# Guide to A&LS Back Office for BO volunteers
Note: This document supersedes the document known as the Step-by-Step Guide [sometimes referred to as The Back Office Bible].
It has been written on behalf of the Back Office operated by A&LS, formerly known as ‘Central Back Office’. Regional Back Offices may operate in slightly different ways: please refer to their specific documentation.
There is a separate guide for BOCs (Back Office Coordinators) that we hope will also be moved to the Toolkit.
Most recent content update: 26 March 2022
# 1. Functions of A&LS Back Office
The main functions are to:
- Compile and maintain a record of arrestees during an action
- Arrange for supporters at police stations to which arrestees have been taken
- Respond to phone calls to Back Office, mainly from: people reporting arrests; arrestees (custody calls); friends and family members of arrestees; people reporting on incidents such as police misbehaviour; rebels with legal questions
# 2. Structure of Back Office
##### **During a mass action**
A&LS Back Office **(A&LS BO)** is staffed by volunteers under the supervision of members of the A&LS BO team. There are two main volunteer roles:
- Back Office Volunteer **(BOV)**
- Police Station Support Coordinator **(PSSC)**
Normally volunteers take only one of these roles per shift. However, we welcome volunteers willing to be trained for both roles - this enables flexibility, including the possibility of taking both roles simultaneously during quiet shifts.
The supervisor is known as the Back Office Coordinator **(BOC)**, and is volunteers’ point of contact for enquiries during a shift. The BOC will also oversee workflow; ensure an even distribution of responsibilities during the shift; and answer queries.
There may also be access to a Legal Support Line **(LSL)**, staffed by a member of XR Legal Support, to whom enquiries of a legal nature can be referred.
**Communication:**
Enquiries from volunteers can be made to the Back Office inbox (address in Summary of Key Links section), staffed by a member of the A&LS BO team. Short-term Signal groups are set up in association with specific mass actions, and can also be used for some kinds of enquiry. There are additional ways of communicating while on shift.
##### **Between mass actions**
We currently aim to run a 24/7 Back Office service staffed by members of the A&LS BO team, augmented on a short-term basis by volunteers if necessitated by a particular action.
The BO inbox is also staffed throughout the year.
##### **Relationships with regional Arrest Support systems**
Vary from region to region. Systems are evolving and there is no general model. Currently this necessitates negotiations with regions from time to time.
# 3. Recruitment
Recruitment is usually carried out intermittently, and will definitely happen in association with mass actions.
- Roles will be advertised widely, using XR’s communication channels.
- No experience is necessary, though some familiarity with XR’s arrestee support systems is helpful.
- Volunteers are invited to offer 3 or 6-hour shifts, which will be coordinated in a rota.
- The majority of volunteers prefer to work from home, though there is sometimes a possibility of working from a physical Back Office.
- Volunteers will need access to a computer, tablet or smartphone with a reliable internet connection, and will need to be able to access Zoom.
- The Back Office Volunteer [BOV] role involves using a software-based phone system (3CX). Volunteers relying on hearing aids are asked to ensure their compatibility with this system. A device being used to access 3CX will need to have a microphone. BOVs will also need to access Signal.
- The Police Station Support Coordinator [PSSC] role relies on the use of WhatsApp and Signal groups: volunteers are asked to familiarize themselves with both platforms.
# 4. Training
##### **Training mainly comprises videos and documentation, supplemented by live sessions via Zoom.**
**Written and other online resources**
- This guide for Back Office Volunteers [BOVs] and Police Station Support Coordinators [PSSCs]
- Custody Call guidelines (for BOVs)
- Custody call summary/script (for BOVs)
- 3CX guidelines
- ArrestWatch playground (Further information in the Arrest Watch section:)
- Arrest report
- Release report
- Back Office
**Training videos**
- BO overview
- Back Office Volunteer (covers use of ArrestWatch, custody calls, typical calls) This video was made in 2020, see these notes for changes.
- Custody calls
- 3CX
- PSSC (Police Station Support Coordinator)
- Police Station Supporter (PSS): two versions Short version and long version
- Witnessing an arrest: two versions. Although made time ago, these videos remain largely up to date; the upgraded BO phone system [3CX] can deal with multiple calls and we prefer custody calls to be made to BO.
(a) short version
(b) long version Password: ProsecutePolluters
**Live Training**
Live training sessions, via Zoom, are provided in advance of mass actions. These will be publicised widely via the [Movement Broadcast](https://t.me/MovementBroadcast).
Live sessions may include:
- Supplementary sessions to the documents and videos, including a focus on the two main roles and with an opportunity to ask questions.
- Custody Call training: optional session, to ensure competence in handling a call.
- 3CX training
# 5. Security and Data Protection
Volunteers are handling sensitive personal information and are required to confirm that they understand their responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This is done by reading and signing XR’s online
Volunteer Agreement.
Please sign with the e-mail address you provide to Back Office, to facilitate checks.
###### **Remember that you’ve agreed to protect the privacy of arrestees, and don’t share any of the information you receive with anyone outside Back Office.**
# 6. ArrestWatch
This is the database used during and after an action to record information about arrestees, legal observers, and calls associated with the action. Information can be entered manually or, in the case of an arrest or release, via an online form.
The use of the forms and database can be practised using the ArrestWatch playground. The username and password for BOVs and PSSCs respectively are: bov, bovbov; and pssc, psscpssc. Please don’t change these! The arrest report form is at https://playground.arrestwatch.info, and the release form at https://playground.arrestwatch.info/pss.
#### Manual entries
- Legal Observers may call BO to report that they’ve come on shift or are going off shift. Entries are made by BOVs
- All entries in the Call Log are made manually. These include custody calls, and family and friends enquiries.
- Information entered via the online forms can be edited manually. Note that the search facility in the Report list allows filtering by police station, but is dependent on the use of exact spelling.
#### Online entries
- Reports of arrests (even if called in) are entered via the form at https://arrestwatch.info/ This link is widely available
- Reports of releases are also submitted via an online form: https://arrestwatch.info/pss
#### Access
There are three levels of access to the information currently held in ArrestWatch, all access is via login at https://backoffice.arrestwatch.info/login
Volunteers will be allocated a login, with the appropriate level of access, after completing the training required by A&LS policy.
- PSSCs: Level 1 (Arrest reports, the call log and the LO log)
- BOVs and some BOCs: Level 2 (Level 1 + Release reports)
- The ArrestWatch Admins and some BOCs: Level 3 (Level 2 + record of ArrestWatch users)
- Tech team: Level 4 (Level 3 + access to archived data)
# 7. Back Office Volunteer (BOV)
**The BOV role:** involves taking phone calls via 3CX, an online software-based private branch exchange phone system.
Calls to BO may come from:
- Legal Observers (LOs) - logging on or off shifts, or reporting arrests or incidents involving adverse police behaviour
- Rebels at an action, reporting arrests or police behaviour
- Rebels in custody (custody calls)
- Rebels, family or friends with legal-related questions
- Rebels, family or friends requesting information about rebels involved in an action
- Police Station Supporters asking for advice (occasionally)
BOVs usually work in shifts of 3 or 6 hours, and at busy times several BOVs will be on shift together so the workload will be shared. On-shift support will be available from the Back Office Coordinator (BOC), via either a Signal chat, Zoom calls, or phone calls.
##### **Training** involves
- Reading this guide and related documents linked within it
- Initial training
- Custody call training
- 3CX training
- Optional supplementary live training sessions via zoom
- Practice and advice from the BOC and other volunteers, during shifts
Links to training videos and documentation can be found on page 4 of this guide.
##### **The phone system - 3CX**
The 3CX phone system is a software-based private branch exchange. 3CX can be accessed via either a smartphone or a PC equipped with speakers and a microphone. Please ensure your equipment will remain charged throughout your shift. Training in the use of 3CX will be provided.
- Written guidelines and a training video are linked in the Training section of this guide.
- Volunteers are issued with a login to the BO 3CX account by e-mail: keep the e-mail, which includes your password.
- Calls to the BO number (07749 335574) can be answered by any volunteer currently logged in and marked in the 3CX system as ‘Available’. Lags within the system and networks may result in some volunteers always hearing calls sooner than others. Arrangements may be made to facilitate sharing the workload, for example by taking calls in turn.
- Remember to mark yourself as ‘Do not disturb’ at the end of your shift.
- There can be unavoidable glitches within 3CX. The BOC will try to address these, by liaising with others if necessary.
- Calls can be transferred to another 3CX extension (see written guidelines), but it’s not possible to make external calls. Occasionally BOVs may need to do so, in which case please either use your own phone or ask the BOC to make the call.
##### **Before your shift**
Please ensure you have ready access to relevant documents, Signal groups, and the Zoom call (if operating), and have logged in to 3CX and ArrestWatch. It’s helpful to have kept an eye on the day’s BO Signal group, which will help familiarise you with what’s happening.
##### **During your shift**
- At the beginning of your shift there’s likely to be a handover by BOVs/BOC going off-shift. Please arrive for your shift punctually, to enable a smooth handover. The BOC may make test calls, or volunteers may test-call each other, to ensure that everyone’s equipment, and 3CX, is working properly.
- Intra-shift communication may take place via a shift Signal group, a continuous zoom call, or a phone call with the BOC. The Signal group, and sometimes the zoom session, may also be populated by the BOC and the Police Station Support Coordinators (PSSCs) on shift.
- Please ensure your Zoom microphone and audio is turned off when you take a phone call.
- Some of the information you receive during a call will probably need to be recorded in ArrestWatch:
- reports of arrests are entered using the Report form
- reports of releases are entered using the Release form
- other information is recorded in the LO log or the Call log
- Demonstrations are included in the BOV training video and accompanying notes.
- You can decide on the basis of experience whether you prefer to type information directly into ArrestWatch, or to make notes on paper and transfer them into ArrestWatch as soon as possible afterwards. Bear in mind the limited time available during a custody call, and choose the quickest option for you (see also Custody Calls section below).
- Not every incoming call needs to be recorded in the Call Log. Please use your judgement on the need to record the information you received, by thinking about the likelihood of it being useful later.
- Monitor which police stations currently hold arrestees (described as ‘active’). If a station becomes newly active, **inform the BOC**.
- ArrestWatch may contain duplicate reports of the same arrest, sometimes with slightly different details about obviously the same arrestee. Please don’t delete any reports: the BOC will monitor ArrestWatch and will make adjustments as necessary.
- Between calls, BOVs may not be busy and can take a break. Please coordinate with the others on shift to ensure 3CX is covered adequately. Please remember that other people in the zoom call (including the BOC) may have a more constant flow of work than you: they may not be immediately available for queries, and may be disturbed by chat, so please be considerate.
##### **Calls from Legal Observerss**
Record the beginning and end of Legal Observer shifts, and their location, in the ‘Legal Observers’ tab in ArrestWatch. Create separate entries for coming on and off shift.
##### **Reports of Arrests**
- Reports of arrests are usually made by phone, by Legal Observers or other direct witnesses, or sometimes by a friend or family member after their receipt of a custody call from the arrestee. Record these in the Report form, collecting from the caller the information required. This url is widely available, and reports are sometimes made by witnesses who submit the online form.
- **If you believe a new station has become active, please share this with the BOC as promptly as possible.**
- You can edit an arrest report from within the ArrestWatch software, via the Edit button to the right-hand side of each report. Arrest reports are filed under the ‘Home’ tab. You can search manually or use the filter to search by Name of Arrestee, Police Station, or any of the arrest fields shown. Spelling has to be exact.
- Arrest reports submitted >36h ago are archived so you will not be able to see them.
##### **Custody Calls**
- Rebels are encouraged to use their custody call to contact BO, but sometimes they prefer to call friends or family, who subsequently call BO to pass on relevant information.
- Custody calls give us the opportunity to share key advice with rebels and to check the information we hold on their arrest.
- The Custody Call guidelines contain the basis of a script. We prefer not to issue a tightly-worded script, but there is a summary which includes the elements of a script; if you want to develop your own you can do so (links to the Guidelines and Summary can be found in the Training section of this guide).
- Please make a note in the Call log when a custody call has taken place. If there’s no corresponding Arrest report in ArrestWatch, create one. If there’s already a report, edit it by entering any additional information received from the arrestee, correcting any errors in spelling or other information.
- Approved solicitors are shown on the current bustcards, which may vary by region. The relevant bustcard is for the location of the action, not where the rebel lives.
- Custody calls also enable us to get detailed information from the arrestee about their treatment by the Police.
##### **Responding to enquiries from friends and families**
Sometimes we receive calls from rebels asking where their friend or family member has been taken. If they know the name of the rebel, we accept these requests at face value and will try to help them: otherwise, we don’t give out information.
A balance needs to be struck between helping rebels find their friends, and protecting data. If in doubt, discuss any particular request with your BOC before sharing any information. Special care must be taken if ‘famous’ rebels are involved, as press teams may try to take advantage of BO to gain information about the arrest.
ArrestWatch can be searched by arrestee name, though spellings need to match, so you may need to search manually.
Enquiries from friends and family are an opportunity to recruit police station supporters. If they can help, give them the link to the police station map, from which they can join the relevant police station WhatsApp or Signal group.
##### **Calls from rebels after release**
Occasionally we are unable to arrange support at a police station, and rebels contact BO after release:
- In the Call log, note their name, and the time and location of arrest and release
- Ask how they are - allow them time to talk if they wish
- Check travel options for them through Google Maps or similar
- If released late at night or early in the morning, advise them of any accommodation options available - check with the BOC
- Give them the url of the release form, to fill in later: *https://arrestwatch.info/pss*
##### **Calls asking for legal advice**
**_Do not give out legal advice._**
- Depending on the shift, legal information may be available from the BOC or by phone to a member of XR Legal Support via a Legal Support Line.
- Non-urgent advice can be sought by writing to *xr-legal@riseup.net*
- Information may also be found from the XR Legal Support website, Informed Dissent, or the Green and Black Cross website.
#### **Raids**
Occasionally BO gets a phone call for advice from rebels during a Police raid on their premises, and needs a fast response. If the BOC isn’t available immediately, please refer to XR’s Raids handout.
##### **Calls involving other information**
Miscellaneous information might include reports of Police misconduct that you are unable to match with a pre-existing report. Record anything you think may be of relevance in the Call Log in Arrestwatch: reports are created via the ‘Add log’ button and can also be edited.
If information regarding police misconduct or similar is shared, please ask the caller if they would be willing to share their contact details so that they can be contacted later to corroborate the information. In addition, encourage them to write down their own account of the events (to include date and time) as soon as possible, with video evidence if available, and send it to XR Legal at *xr-legal@riseup.net*.
Each entry or edit in the Call Log should be annotated with the name of the author, and the time of the call. Where possible, entries should also include contact details of the caller.
It may also be appropriate occasionally to use the Log to record actions taken by BOVs/PSSCs, but it should not be necessary to use it routinely for this purpose.
If specific action is needed as a result of an incoming call, such as contacting someone, the person making the entry should take responsibility for that action, by either carrying it out or passing responsibility to someone else (and recording this).
##### **At the end of each shift**
- Ensure that any handwritten notes are transferred to the on-line record system
- Ensure that you switch 3CX to ‘unavailable’ and that you log out of ArrestWatch
- Ensure that the BOC is aware of any follow-up action still needed
- If you’ve encountered any difficulties during your shift, or can suggest improvements to any procedures or processes, please let the BOC know.
# 8. Police Station Support Coordinator (PSSC)
PSSCs ensure arrested rebels are met on release by Police Station Supporters (PSSs), by creating a rota for supporters and offering them advice and information.
Liaison with PSSs takes place via WhatsApp or Signal groups, and occasionally by phone. Arrestees can be held in custody for 24 hours *after being checked in* at a police station, so we need to try to ensure supporters are available throughout this period (there is usually a time gap between arrestees arriving at a station and being checked in).
Police Station Supporters:
- Provide practical and emotional support to rebels on release, and
- Ensure that rebels’ release data is collected (with their consent): this enables ongoing support to be offered following the action and helps BO to monitor whether any rebels are still held at each station.
##### **Training**
- Initial training, via zoom or video, as part of the BO overview
- PSSC video
- Practice and advice from the BOC and other volunteers, during shifts
- For liaison with PSSs, you’ll find it helpful to read through [the guidelines provided for them](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1412#bkmrk-page-title), which includes links to videos.
All the links to the training videos and documentation can be found in the Training section of this Guide
##### **Overview of PSSC Tasks**
- PSSCs use two categories of WhatsApp/Signal groups:
- Arrestee Support (AS) groups, all on WhatsApp, and Police Station (PS) groups, on WhatsApp or Signal.
- Shift and general BO groups on Signal.
- There’s a WhatsApp or Signal group corresponding to every police station in England and Wales that has a custody suite. Ideally, each group will already contain people willing to offer to provide PSS. In practice, new members, some without PSS training, tend to join the groups during a mass action. Currently all PS groups in London will be on WhatsApp.
- The Police Station Map (PS Map) shows the location of custody suites, marked by yellow smilies. Clicking on these reveals information about the station and the joining link to the associated PS group.
- When PSSs are needed, the PSSC calls out for volunteers to support at the necessary stations, in relevant PS groups and in the three AS groups, populated by PSSs able to support at several stations.
- The PSSC then creates a rota to ensure continuous coverage, and liaises with the supporters.
- The headers of some PS groups contain useful information about the particular station, such as position of exits, accessibility of waiting rooms, etc which may be helpful for PSSs. If you discover new information during your shift, please add it to the ‘Station Information’ tab in the PSS rota spreadsheet (see maintatining a rota, below).
- Monitor arrestees being taken to PSs for which you’re responsible, using ArrestWatch.
##### **Before your shift**
- Ensure you have ready access to relevant documents, WhatsApp/Signal groups, including the shift Signal group, the PSS rota, and the shift zoom call, and have logged in to ArrestWatch. It’s helpful to have kept an eye on the day’s BO Signal group and the PSS rota, which will help familiarise you with what’s happening.
- Ensure you’ve joined the three AS chats on WhatsApp, using these joining links:
- [https://chat.whatsapp.com/HX07vNTURqLEyVgDo012NI](https://chat.whatsapp.com/HX07vNTURqLEyVgDo012NI)
- [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFZpuvZtVMy2wN0w5AHIOr](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFZpuvZtVMy2wN0w5AHIOr)
- [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMi8rrD9C7ZBzlKm3OUtuZ ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMi8rrD9C7ZBzlKm3OUtuZ)
- Check (from the PSS rota) which stations are active, and join all the corresponding WhatsApp/Signal groups - though you’ll probably be responsible for a subset during your shift, you won’t know its composition in advance. Joining all beforehand will enable you to check back through messages when you come on shift, and avoids you having to say you can’t see previous messages (which appears unprofessional).
##### **At the beginning of each shift**
- The BOC will let you know which stations you’ll be responsible for, or this may be negotiated between PSSCs.
- There may be an opportunity for a handover from the PSSC going off shift.
- The PSS rotas for all stations (link in the maintaining a rota section below) should be up to date, and the information in them should be clear: this should avoid the need for a handover in person
- Ensure (double check!) you’ve joined the relevant PS WhatsApp/Signal groups, using the links from the PS map. This should include the groups associated with any nearby stations, so you can call out in those.
- Identify gaps in the rota.
- Check when the last rebel taken to each station was arrested, from ArrestWatch. Cover needs to be arranged for 24 hours after the last rebel was likely to be checked in to the PS - this can be some time after arrival at the PS, especially at a busy time, and you’ll need to estimate.
- Send a message out in your allocated station WhatsApp groups, to inform supporters you are starting your shift, and check in that they're OK.
##### **Creating and maintaining a PSS rota**
- PSS rotas are created using an online spreadsheet (currently Google) - you'll find the link in the header information in the active Back Office Signal group.
- There’ll probably already be a rota covering the PSs for which you’re responsible. If not, create a new one: instructions are on the first spreadsheet tab.
- Message in the relevant AS and PS groups, requesting volunteers to cover any gaps in the rota. Standard message templates (see the next section 'Communication’) can be used, though personalised messages are preferred, being less robotic.
- Call-outs in the three AS groups should include an invitation to join the relevant PS group, with a link.
- As people volunteer for shifts, add their names to the rota, with the times they’ve offered and any notes.
- Please try to keep the spreadsheet up to date during your shift
- Aim to have at least two supporters on each shift, particularly after dark and if female. Some stations have more than one exit, not all visible from the same location, so more supporters may be needed to cover all exits, including fire exits if possible: PS group headers or the rota spreadsheet may contain useful information, or you may be able to get information from the PSSs already on shift.
- Supporters are unable to see the PSS rota. Post summarised rota details (ie names and times) in the WhatsApp/Signal group from time to time, to enable supporters to check their shifts.
- Sometimes all arrestees at a station have been released before some supporters are due to come on shift. Remind supporters to check in the group before leaving home, to ensure they’re still required.
- If you’re struggling to find PSSs, inform the BOC. They may have access to XR communication platforms, and may be able to get a message out asking for additional support.
##### **Communication with PSSs**
- There is a guide to messaging in the PS WhatsApp/Signal groups, including optional standard message templates.
- Sometimes supporters haven’t done PSS before - check. If they haven’t, send them the link to the [PSS guidelines](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1412) - which incorporate links to videos
- Remember that supporters who’ve just joined the group are unable to see earlier messages, so you may need to repeat information.
- Make sure all supporters are safe - if it appears that they may not be safe, advise them to leave.
- Check in on supporters from time to time, to make sure they’ve arrived for their shifts and have everything they need, and thank individual supporters going off shift.
- Ensure that PSSs remember to ask every released rebel to complete the on-line release form: *https://arrestwatch.info/pss* ,
ideally as soon as released but otherwise as soon as possible.
**Rebels should complete the form in person** to comply with GDPR. If they prefer not to complete the form straight away, PSSs should give them the link to the form.
- **PSSs should also note the name of each released rebel, and let the PSSC know**, by Direct Message. Not all arrestees complete the release form promptly, so knowing their names will enable us to monitor the number of rebels left in each PS. **Please let the BOC know the names of released rebels asap**, via DM in Signal or via zoom, depending on their preference.
- Information useful for PSSs includes:
- On-line release form: *arrestwatch.info/pss*
- A&LS Back Office number: 07749 335574
- PSS video:
- Short (20 mins): *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2IdBymn_hA*
- Long (54 mins): *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8TnjLJ-08*
- These videos are slightly out-of-date; updates are summarized in this document *https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_Sazu3J7HjZ40F2f_mirKQDV0jf13CxREYWI0nfsvB0*
- PSS guide: *https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1412*
- PS map: *https://tinyurl.com/pssmap*
- PSS Expenses form: *https://form.jotform.com/220687954564368* (to be circulated when the PSSC thinks it appropriate - see below).
##### **During your shift**
- The BOC will be monitoring activity. When a new police station becomes active, they will allocate it to one of the PSSCs
- It can be difficult to know exactly how many rebels are inside a particular PS. The PSS rota you inherit may state a number, but this will be **approximate**. For the purpose of arranging PSS, however, you don’t need to know the exact number. You should try to arrange PSS to be available from approximately 4h after the first arrest until 24h after the last rebel was likely to have been checked in. Arrestees are only rarely released in less than 4h after arrest, although during mass actions, the turn-around can be quite fast. Your BOC should let you know if the Police are adopting an expedited processing procedure.
- It can be difficult to be sure when a station is empty, because the information we receive about arrests is often duplicated, and we aren’t notified about all arrests. If necessary, ask the PSSs on shift to check with the Police whether the station still contains any XR rebels - but be aware that the Police may not always tell the truth. If in doubt, consult your BOC.
- If you’re sure that a station has become inactive, confirm with the BOC and then post a message in the WhatsApp/Signal group. Send direct messages to supporters who’ve signed up for shifts and are not now needed.
##### **Eliciting information about arrestees via PSSs**
- We are often notified about an arrest but not the PS to which the arrestee was taken, or the station information may be incorrect
- PSSs can be helpful in investigating the number of arrestees being held in a station. Invite them to ring the custody bell, use the external phone, or go into the station, and ask the custody sergeant if they have XR rebels in the station and how many. Police often say they can’t give information unless the supporter identifies the possible arrestee, e.g. name and DOB. **They should not under any circumstance give such information to the police.**
- Any information given by the Police may be unreliable.
- PSSs are sometimes able to talk to rebels or their lawyers as they leave the station, and can then get useful information about the number of remaining XR arrestees.
- Sometimes the Police will spontaneously tell PSSs that the station is now empty. This has sometimes been reliable, but we have been misled - so should not accept any information at face value
- If the station is thought to be empty, the PSSs should inform you and you should ask them to stay in place until you check with the BOC the likelihood of this information being true.
- Remember that arrestees may be held for court (see [below](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/835#bkmrk-when-an-arrestee-can)). Accurate information can be difficult to obtain. If we find out where a rebel’s hearing will be held (e.g. via PSSs), **let the BOC know**, and we can try to arrange court support. Alternatively, if a hearing is being held at the PS (probably less likely now than during the Covid pandemic), we should try to maintain PSS cover outside the station.
##### **Appropriate Adults**
- The Police must ensure that a vulnerable person or a minor (under 18) is supported in custody by an Appropriate Adult. We encourage people who intend to get arrested, and who need an Appropriate Adult, to organise this for themselves in advance, but sometimes this doesn’t happen. In such a situation, the Police may ask the PSS to help with this role, and in turn the PSS may consult the PSSC. The PSS could fulfill this role if invited to do so, but should not feel under pressure to do so.
- If you need advice about a request for an Appropriate Adult, consult your BOC.
##### **When an arrestee can be held for more than 24h**
In certain circumstances, an arrestee can legitimately be held by the Police for more than 24h. Sometimes the BOC may have had, or be able to get, information via the solicitor network, and should tell any PSSCs looking after the stations involved. Circumstances in which arrestees can be held longer than 24h include:
- Non-cooperation - If an arrestee declines to share their name and/or address they will be held in custody to appear in court on the next available court date (if arrested on a Friday this could be Saturday morning or Monday). If you hear this has happened, please try to find out the court and the court date and time (possibly from the PSSs) and inform the BOC
- Remanded to appear in Court - sometimes charged rebels are remanded in custody to appear in court. Based on past experience this is more likely in the case of foreign nationals, if police bail conditions are refused, if the arrestee has broken court bail conditions, or if they have a previous criminal record.
If you think there’s a possibility that a rebel may be going to be held for court (eg if it appears from the arrest report that they may have broken bail conditions), let the BOC know and they may be able to investigate.
##### **PSS Expenses**
- We have a limited pot of money to refund things like costs of snacks for arrestees (not for PSSs); costs of arrestees’ travel (only if they don’t have the money and have to ask the PSS to help out); cost of a taxi for a vulnerable arrestee if felt needed (should be discussed by PSSC with BOC); and cost of PSS travel if travelling beyond local area to a Police station we have found difficult to cover (should be discussed by PSSC with BOC in advance).
- For full guidance on what’s covered, please consult your BOC.
- PSSs should be encouraged to keep receipts where possible and to make a claim within 24h so that we can keep a track of claims and give fair warning if the money is all spent and no longer refunds are possible.
- Only provide the link to the claim form in situations in which you think a claim’s justified: *https://form.jotform.com/220687954564368*
##### **At the end of each shift**
- Ensure that the PSS rotas for ‘your’ stations are up-to-date, accurate and clear
- You may be asked by the BOC to hand them over orally to the incoming PSSC, via zoom.
- If you’ve encountered any difficulties during your shift, or can suggest improvements to any procedures or processes, please let the BOC know.
# Summary of Key Links
#### **Software**
- ArrestWatch
- Arrest report: https://arrestwatch.info
- Release report: https://arrestwatch.info/pss
- Back Office: https://backoffice.arrestwatch.info
- ArrestWatch playground
- Arrest report: https://playground.arrestwatch.info
- Release report: https://playground.arrestwatch.info/pss
- Back office: https://backoffice.playground.arrestwatch.info
- Log ins for the playground are:
- **User Name:** bov | **Password:** bovbov (access to release forms)
- **User Name:** pssc | **Password:** psscpssc (just the main tables)
- 3CX: https://as-backoffice.3cx.co.uk/webclient
- PSS rota: found in the main Back Office rota https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aUuLxZ7tQpVmP9AjQgkjotnwKY7ZPkchvFSHbV3Rtqs
#### **Documents**
- Custody Call guidelines: https://xrb.link/dw792n
- Custody Call summary/script:https://xrb.link/e3r9c5LS186
- 3CX guidelines: https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/s/jSMA7mkjjGLrww8
- Raids handout: https://cloud.extinctionrebellion.uk/s/ETmMskH3aZzLfNr
- Notes on BOV video: https://xrb.link/zE6C5b4o8Iz
- PSS guidelines: https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/link/1412
- Updates to PSS videos: https://xrb.link/s45KBG9G
- PSS Expenses form: https://xrb.link/ok3E0jLd
- PSSC messaging, incorporating message templates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M6j_kI4b78GMtMliCsRqARpuMsk8rnJh/
#### **Videos**
- BO overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE0xk8zAFNc
- Back Office Volunteer (covers use of ArrestWatch, custody calls, typical calls): https://youtu.be/eckKCBdrdE4 (This was made in 2020, see accompanying notes for changes: https://xrb.link/E1p4g3I )
- Custody calls https://youtu.be/6xoGjSJZV-g
- 3CX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZNqnrKfkYg
- PSSC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBcLc-xB71w
- PSS: These videos are slightly out-of-date; updates are summarized in this document: https://xrb.link/s45KBG9G
- Short (20 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2IdBymn_hA
- Long (54 mins): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t8TnjLJ-08
- Witnessing an arrest: although made some time ago, these videos remain up to date - though the upgraded BO phone system can deal with multiple calls and we prefer custody calls to be made to BO.
- short version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqLWUsL81s
- long version https://vimeo.com/361394459 - **Password:** ProsecutePolluters
#### **Useful links**
- Bustcards: https://informeddissent.info/bustcard
- Police station map: https://tinyurl.com/pssmap
- Informed Dissent: https://www.informeddissent.info
- Green & Black Cross: https://greenandblackcross.org/
- WhatsApp AS group joining links:
- https://chat.whatsapp.com/HX07vNTURqLEyVgDo012NI
- https://chat.whatsapp.com/KFZpuvZtVMy2wN0w5AHIOr
- https://chat.whatsapp.com/FMi8rrD9C7ZBzlKm3OUtuZ
- XR Volunteer Agreement: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/xr-data-protection-agreement-2
- Back Office e-mail: backoffice@riseup.net
- Legal Support e-mail: xr-legal@riseup.net
- A&LS Back Office: 07749 335574
- CASP Back Office: 07783 176190
- GBC Back Office: 07946 541 511