Legal interpreting at a maximum security prison
As a justice sector interpreter, we find ourselves in a series of different settings, such as solicitor firms, police stations and prisons, with the latter being, I believe, one of the hardest to handle if you are not well-prepared and/or too sensitive.
In this post, I will cover a few key points which may be helpful to consider if you want to give this type of assignment a go. I also must confess I find them really challenging, professionally enjoyable and a great exercise for my compassion and impartiality.
So here’s a few tips:
Briefing
Clients often do not get into very much detail about their cases. Often, they just assume we are aware of everything that can possibly arise, or that it does not make that big a difference . Some interpreters are not cut out for certain cases (cause, you know, we are multilingual language ninjas). They also think we do not get shocked easily and can work with anything. Me, I am not easily fazed, but I still like to know the particulars of the case before moving forward so I can research terminology and prepare myself mentally. And I highly recommend asking if you think there are things that would shock and/or be difficult to handle.
The setting
Legal visits take place in category A prisons take place in private rooms. The prisoner will not be wearing handcuffs and the door, which has a tempered glass see-through part, is locked. Sometimes you may see the prisoners waiting for their advocates from the glass bits of the doors as you walk past. In my first visit, I remember feeling a chilling sensation at how inhuman the environment first came across. The barrister I was with was very calm, polite and quite chatty, and even looked around to see if any of his other clients were around for social visits downstairs in the sitting area with chairs and small coffee tables, for friends and family. It made the whole thing easier and more human. The staff were slow, but very friendly towards us. Everything requires a superior, so you need to be patient. Just rest assured if you feel uncomfortable at first, it is normal and it gets better..
The security process can take time and it is worth arriving at least 30min early to make sure there are no delays. You will need to be booked in advance and present valid ID. They will register your fingerprint and stamp your hand. Sometimes they have detection dogs for drugs and money. I love confidently having them sniff me around as I have nothing to hide, just the fact I add ketchup to pizza.
Only people who are booked in advance can attend and they check a list. I always offer to print the booking confirmation for my clients and always double-check to make sure my name on it is the same as it is on my driving license. The British tend to think I only have one surname and a middle name when in fact I have two surnames and no middle name.
Commanding the room
Commanding the room as an interpreter is one of my favourite things in life. It is a mix of being kind, assertive, discreet and strong. And in a setting like this, it is really important to feel as comfortable as you can.
Make sure you decide where you want to sit and where the parties should sit. I tend to sit as close as possible to whoever I interpret for just in case we get someone who is a huge talker and I feel like the best course of action is switching from consecutive to whispered. And I have often loved how the parties would at some point feel like I was me commenting in the chat because of my tone of voice, when in fact it was just me conveying a message. I actually had to tell a barrister once the snarky comment was not mine hehe.
If it’s my first visit, I always explain my role to the prisoner and let them know a few important things:
I translate in first person, so I will refer to myself as “the interpreter”. And I maintain that throughout the visit. I tend to copy their intonation so I have had both prisoners and their barristers almost feel like they were talking to me. If I make a comment I refer to myself as “the interpreter”.
If I or the advocate raises his hand, it means the prisoner has to stop talking. I can usually remember quite a bit, but the solicitor/barrister will be taking notes, so it’s helpful to break it into smaller bits. I do not command that bit as I am not only in charge of the linguistic side of things. If counsel wants shorter chunks, they are to interject.
Although we speak the same language, I always say I am a professional and therefore I am not allowed to have side conversations with them and will translate everything they say, including bad words.
I have a duty to not disclose anything that is mentioned in the conference.
I have confidently sat next to every single defendant/requested person/prisoner I have worked for. I feel like they usually value my work and know I am there to help as they are deprived of communication, so I might be the last person they would want to hurt at that point.
Please be aware sometimes barristers and solicitors sign undertakings to the court to not disclose things like graphic photos of the scene. Always check with whoever you are accompanying what the deal is and make sure you are not intrusive when they are going over things on a computer. They are usually quite good in setting boundaries, but not needing to be told is also very comforting. Depending on the setting, I will either turn around, stand, or take a sit opposite the computer.
Permitted items
It is easier to talk about what is permitted than what is forbidden. Most of the time, we may only be able to take a notepad (with no spirals) and a pen. Counsel is also allowed a laptop and legal papers. Everything else (including lanyards, scarves, mobiles, jewellery, bags and smartwatches) needs to be left in a locker room. You will need a £1 coin which you will get back in the end.
I have had a prison visit where they did not allow me to bring my notepad in, so I had to go back and put it away as it had confidential information so I could not simply dispose of it or left it unattended like that. The guard gave me some paper for my notes (I remember she complained about how greedy I was with the amount I was taking and I told her I didn’t know how chatty this one would be). On another occasion, they dismantled my notepad because of the spirals.
Dress code
I have noticed the dress code for the courts in London is much less strict than in Brazil. I have seen, especially at the Magistrates’ Court, but also at the Crown Court, women wearing miniskirts and men with tank tops on. The maximum security prisons are a whole other thing: no ripped clothing, no vests, no low-cut tops, no shorts, no short dresses, no sports team clothing, no watches, only minimal jewellery, no offensive slogans and no headwear, other than that worn for religious. When in doubt, just try wearing something as discreet as possible as you can. Think of what you would wear at a religious temple and you will be okay.
Potential problems
I always set the tone from the get-go, and have never had any issues with prisoners crossing the line in any way. In my experience, as I said, they have shown respect for my work and gratitude I was there. But here’s a few potential issues and solutions:
If they ask me something inappropriate, like a personal question, I will often tell them I am not allowed to answer such questions in English first and then translate it into Portuguese. I always respond in English first so they know this is not a side conversation.
You should always rely on the prison staff and whoever you are accompanying
If they mention anything that could be directed at me, I translate it as they said it and behave like I am not a part of the conversation. I also do this with my non-prison clients, as I do not want to become a part of the discussion myself.
I am always aware of where the exit is and who I can reach out to for help and avoid having my back turned to the door, although I have never felt I was in immediate danger of any kind. Quite the opposite: I feel respected and welcomed.
I hope this helps!