Safety

All contents within this guidance are to be treated as OFFICIAL and the link to the platform is not to be shared externally.

As the Government has now set out its updated guidelines for the community and outlined its alert system for the country, HMPPS also has a plan in place to change our own restrictions. The COVID-19: National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services provides a conditional roadmap for what the easing of restrictions will mean in practise. At every stage our priority continues to be a safe environment for our staff and those in our care.

Establishments will begin to incrementally ease their restrictions at their own pace, based on their unique circumstances. Nationally, we have now moved from stage ‘four’ of lockdown with a minimum regime in place, to stage ‘three’ of restrictions, where the highest priority areas of regime (e.g. visits) can start to slowly be reinstated with appropriate restrictions, including restrictions in the community on travel to prisons. We continue to prepare for stage ‘two’ whereby compartmentalisation remains in place, testing and monitoring is ongoing and minimal social distancing is required, in line with community guidelines. The final phase of the roadmap is stage ‘one’, where regimes are operating without requirements for social distancing or PPE use. Each stage of recovery is supported by Exceptional Delivery Models (EDMs) and other more detailed guidance on the specific areas of policy involved. Whichever stage of recovery an establishment is at, it is vital that the maintenance of security, stability and safety remain a top priority.

We understand that during this period there may be increased risks to disorder, violence, suicide and self-harm levels, as the current restrictions are lifted. Safety measures must continue to involve tailored support and interventions for the individuals most at risk; now more than ever it is important to be receptive to the needs of individuals in our care, and work with them to help keep them safe. At the same time, lockdown measures have highlighted the value of the conversations and interactions with the people in our care and the positive impact this has had, and these small steps will continue to be important as restrictions are lifted.

The guidance provided in the following sections aims to support establishments to manage safety risks as restrictions are eased, whilst recognising that this will be different in each prison.

Listener scheme guidance and Distraction Packs 07.03.22

Safety Recovery Guidance

Clarification on the need for Wellbeing checks in the Open Estate 16/04/21

This guidance is in response  to queries on the continuing need for well being checks to take place in the open estate; recognising that the open estate has been able to operate in a different way to the closed estate during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety risks have arisen not from elongated regime restriction and isolation but rather other risks such as lack of ROTL and opportunity to demonstrate risk reduction. Prisoners have not been locked in cell and have remained able to access the open air regularly and engage in interaction with others limited only by household and regime group restrictions. Community work has also been retained and many internal activity places have also remained open providing vital and regular interactions with communities and staff members.

Wellbeing checks were predominately introduced to mitigate the loss of Key Worker sessions in the closed adult male estate and provide valuable and more structured interactions with prisoners who were locked in cells for the majority of the day. Key work does not operate in the open estate and staff resourcing levels and deployment differ meaning that resources need to be deployed carefully where it is clear there is an identified risk. As the majority of Open Prisons are now at Stage 3 with the remainder close to progressing to Stage 3, it is appropriate to review whether Wellbeing Checks remain appropriate for the Open Estate. It has been determined that due to the increased regime opportunities, time out of rooms, good levels of regular and normalised staff interactions alongside established peer support that there is no longer a requirement for Wellbeing Checks to be routinely carried out in the Open Estate.

It is, however, still imperative that Open Prisons continue to identify those prisoners who may be at increased risk and ensure that appropriate support is put in place on an individual basis.

Review of safety and risk assessment processes following video appearances 29/04/2022

Video calls for social or official purposes bring huge benefits. But it is vital that we manage safety risks just as if someone had returned from a physical meeting or hearing.  As set out in PSI 07/2015 and PSO 3050, similar health screening arrangements must apply before and after video appearances, just as they would for a physical court appearance.  The same risk assessments for self-harm or suicide also apply.

Staff must talk to a prisoner straight after a video call to assess whether anything could affect their safety risk. As well as taking necessary actions, staff must record discussions and interventions on NOMIS and wing observation books and notify wing colleagues.

Following a death in custody in March 2021, Phil Copple, Director General of Prisons wrote to all Prison Group Directors and Governors, asking them to review local safety and risk assessment processes.

Given the potential for staff moves, Prison Group Directors and Governors have been asked to review their safety and risk assessment processes and to re-share the attached documents with staff, in particular, those working in Reception, Video, and Offender Management Units as a minimum.

Resources: Safety briefing and wall charts are attached that can be used to raise staff awareness.

• Phil Copple to Governors review of safety and risk
• Staff information notice
• Wall charts showing how to keep prisoners safe after a change in circumstances

It is vital for staff to talk to a prisoner after a change in circumstance. Some examples are listed below, but there may be many others:

• Sentencing hearings, especially if resulting in a long or unexpected sentence
• Postponement or delay to remand or sentencing hearings
• Refusal of bail, especially if the prisoner was expecting bail
• Proceeds of Crime Act hearings if prisoners lose home, savings, or business
• Family Court or local authority meetings where prisoners lose access to their children
• Local authority meetings that result in loss of home and/or belongings
• News of a bereavement or illness
• Other information relating to children’s education, welfare, or placement

As well as taking necessary actions, it is also important for staff to record discussions and any interventions on NOMIS and wing observation books, and to notify wing colleagues.

https://intranet.noms.gsi.gov.uk/news-and-updates/notices/prisoner-safety-after-video-calls

ACCT / Suicide and Self Harm

An updated ACCT Q and A is attached here. This will continue to be updated as required. This includes updated guidance on undertaking the ACCT Assessor and Case Manager roles during this period, including quick guides to support staff with ACCT. Further guidance is also attached on defensible decisions.

For more information and resources about ACCT V6 please visit the ACCT V 6 intranet page

Constant Supervision

Constant supervision is used only in times of acute suicidal or life-threatening crisis and should be used for the shortest time possible. The following guides have been written to help you provide one to one interactive support within the context of COVID–19.

Body Worn Video Camera Repairs

For support/information/guidance use: http://www.edesix.com/support. 

On the page accessed through this link, ignore the top ‘contact us’ link as that will take you through to Motorola, instead scroll to the bottom of the page, where you will find the heading ‘Body Worn Cameras – Formally Edesix’.

Edesix Return Materials Authorisation (RMA) Form can be logged using the following link: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/support/edesix-rma-request.html

If you need any assistance you can also contact Edesix at support@edesix.com or by phone: 01311 510 0232

The address for returns has recently changed and is now:

Connect With Prisoners

We know from studies of people in the community who have been isolated during pandemics that it is common to feel frustrated, anxious, fearful, depressed and angry. These feelings can worsen as time goes on; normal daily routines are restricted; people do not get the basic things they need and they do not understand what is going on, why things have changed and for how long the changes will be in place.

Being in isolation in prison can aggravate these feelings, particularly for certain groups of people, so it is important for staff to recognise this during the current pandemic, and know what practical things they can do.

• Isolating people to contain the virus should NOT be seen as a punishment
• People should have the basic things they need in clean and decent cells
• People should have things to do and be able to contact family and friends
• People should have the right information about access to help and support
• People should be kept up to date about the pandemic
• Some people feel the effects of isolation more than others and will need extra support

Each prisoner should be seen at least once each day, and it is good practice to record that this has occurred (there may not be time for this to be done on an individual basis, but a landing or wing record may be possible).

More information on helping to manage the current situation and support people in isolation to cope with the restrictions in place; can be found in the attached guidance.

CSIP/Management of Violence (14.07.21)

The guides below have been constructed to aid establishments in the CSIP process.

Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM) (14.07.21)

The weekly Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM) should continue to take place as it focusses on those who are classed as posing a significant risk to harming themselves or others, ensuring that those individuals are managed and supported appropriately. The attached guidance provides more information on the importance of these meetings.

It is particularly important to get information from a multi-disciplinary team and this may mean conducting these meetings in a large room so physical distancing can be observed or holding a phone meeting instead.

Debt Guidance

Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) / RESPECT Forms

Due to the impact of COVID-19 in the wider community on particular groups of people, doctors are being encouraged to have conversations about resuscitation at an early stage with those who are likely to have a poor prognosis, should they become infected. On the most part the elderly and those with multiple underlying health conditions are having such discussions.

It is essential that ALL staff are aware that these conversations are taking place, and that there is effective communication with colleagues when decisions not to be resuscitated have been taken by prisoners.

Whilst the principles are the same everywhere, the details of the approach adopted vary between different part of the country, with some areas using a ReSPECT form which includes discussions around treatment and DNAR decisions, and others using a Treatment Escalation Plan and Resuscitation Decision Tool.

Therefore, the prison should work with the healthcare provider to ensure that the guidance below is followed using the forms that have been adopted locally.

Early Days & Induction (14.07.21)

We know that there will be a focus on determining whether new receptions are COVID-19 positive or whether they have symptoms of the virus. It is also important that other risk factors are not overlooked at this time. Prisons should do all they can to assess risk effectively during these times whilst adhering to the physical distancing guidelines.

More information can be found in the Early Days and Transitions toolkit for staff and Resource 6 – First Night Booklets for prisoners both on the Intranet. Information should be given to prisoners about physical distancing and the current regime on Induction, still using peers where this safe to do so

Improving communications between staff and prisoners during the COVID-19 outbreak: The role of COVID-19 Communications Representatives

It is important that prisoners can understand why new processes have been put in place to respond to COVID-19. To help with this some prisons have appointed prisoners to the role of COVID-19 communications representatives to help inform their peers of the developments and to reinforce the messaging to them. This work has to be undertaken in line with social distancing requirements. See attached.

Isolated Individuals

Isolation, and especially long-term isolation, can significantly increase the risk of self-harm and suicide or involvement in violence. Long-term isolation is also associated with an increased risk of mental health problems, depression, poorer pain management, and poor health outcomes. We know that the number of prisoners recorded as isolating have previously been rising. We need to be mindful of the additional impact that Covid-19 restrictions will have on this cohort.

The attached update provides more information about the impact Covid-19 has had on prisoners who isolate, and the need to raise staff awareness on how they can best identify and support previous and current isolated individuals. It also provides links to resources.

Reducing Violence and Self Harm during Recovery from the COVID-19 Outbreak

Cohorts Awareness Guide

Our prisoner population has individual and often quite complex needs. In this guide you will find information about a range of different prisoner cohorts that we have identified through our safety learning to help address some of the known safety risks of harm to self, to others, and in some cases, both. 

It is important to remember that people are individuals, and cohorts are fluid.  It is possible to belong to more than one cohort at any point in time, and so the needs and risks of prisoners are likely to change during their time in custody.

The guidance is not structured to be read from beginning to end – you can move to relevant sections by scrolling through the document or using the direct links in the contents page.

Sharing the News of a Death of a Prisoner

This guidance explains the importance of visible leadership, setting the tone and how giving clear and supportive information to both staff and prisoners in a personal and sensitive way can help to manage the impact on the prison community. 

Staff Wellbeing (14.07.21)

Use of Listeners and Use of Peer Workers (14.07.21)

Peer Support is a valuable resource. We know that many schemes, including the Listener scheme have been suspended or are operating with reduced capacity and support at present. Wherever possible, prisons should aim to maintain and promote these schemes to prisoners, and encourage them to volunteer, as they can provide a vital lifeline for those in need. Peer support schemes guidance is available to help you set up and make the most of peer support opportunities.

Training and support visits for Listeners by Samaritans volunteers are permitted where local circumstances allow, and the local branch is able to maintain them. Where this is not possible, prisons should continue to work closely with their local Samaritans branch to facilitate remote support and to resume visits as soon as possible. Any problems should be escalated to the group safety lead who can liaise with the Samaritans regional prison support officer to resolve them.

Where Listener numbers have dwindled, prisons should work with Samaritans on recruitment, encouraging prisoners to apply, using the standard application form and being as flexible as possible about scheduling training sessions. Prisons should promote the Listener scheme: with prisoners by distributing Samaritans materials and ensuring the Listener DVD is used in induction; and with staff by inviting local volunteers to provide awareness sessions at staff meetings and briefings.

It may be helpful to hold a meeting between the Governor and safety team and the local branch director and prison support officer to discuss how to manage the recovery period. Further guidance is available on operating the Listener scheme during Covid-19 and working with Samaritans.

Use of Family Liaison Officer (FLO) (01.04.22)

Key Pointsa to note from Update (01.04.22):

• Returning to face-to-face visits
• Reminder for all prisons to keep prisoners Next of Kin records up to date
• Re-starting of FLO Training
• Updated remined of Staff Support
• Health and Safety guidance for attending home visits
• Reminder of Funeral Attendance protocol

OMiC Key Work in the male closed estate (14.07.21)

As we move into recovery the Key Work EDM for levels 4-1 should be followed. Please read the EDM below in its entirety.  Here is an overview:

Key Work Exceptional Delivery Model – Level 4

At the very minimum a key worker session must be carried out for prisoners in the priority groups weekly. If it is not possible to undertake key work, then at the very minimum, a wellbeing check must be carried out daily for prisoners in the priority groups.

Key Work Delivery – Level 3

Full delivery of Key Work to those in priority groups (one session of Key Work weekly).

Increased level of Key Work sessions outside of the priority groups should take place on a 1-2-1 basis with a minimum of one session per month for all other prisoners.

Key Work Delivery – Level 2

Full delivery of Key Work to those in priority groups (one session of Key Work weekly).

Increased level of Key Work sessions outside of the priority groups should take place on a 1-2-1 basis with a minimum of two sessions of Key Work monthly per prisoner not in the list of priority groups.

Key Work Delivery –Level 1

Full delivery of Key Work to all prisoners.  Prisons should deliver a minimum of three sessions of Key Work monthly per prisoner.

Offender Management in Custody (OMiC) Key Work in the Women’s estate (14.07.21)

OMiC Key Work is being rolled out across the Women’s Estate. As part of this roll out we need to safely move away from wellbeing checks which have been in place since December 2020 as part of our COVID regime mitigations to reduce self-harm.

From 1^st May 2021, it is expected that:

• Where the OMiC model has been rolled out all women receive 1 key work session per month.
• Prisons review all the women currently within the priority groups and identify those who will continue to benefit from and require the daily wellbeing checks.
• All women not currently receiving daily wellbeing checks are to have weekly wellbeing checks in place until the OMiC model is fully rolled out.

Please see guide for further information.

The Wellbeing Plan

The Wellbeing Plan is a self-help tool created with input from mental health charity Mind, and prisonerfocus groups. The booklet helps prison prisoners plan their safety and support. It also contains a variety of mindfulness and distraction exercises to support wellbeing.

The resource has been designed for everyone. However, the Wellbeing Plan can also complement work to engage people with support, and alongside other therapeutic resources.

Paper copies of the Wellbeing Plan will be sent to establishments for each prisoner in the coming weeks, though timescales will depend on changing printing capacity. The plan will also be translated into a number of languages including Welsh, and these will be made available via the intranet once completed.

It is worth bearing in mind that this resource was designed before the current pandemic, so if printing individual copies, establishments should communicate to prisoners that some of the support available may have temporarily changed due to COVID-19.

To support prisoner wellbeing, the Psychology Team have developed some additional resources. The links below will provide the most up to date versions:

https://hmppsintranet.org.uk/resources/in-cell-materials/your-update-prisoner-newsletter/

In cell materials

In addition, health partners have provided a guide for prisoners on how to stay safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The link is below:

https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/pluginfile.php/149460/mod_page/content/35/rcgp_patient_FAQs_v5-dp30042020_CWedits_JA3.pdf

Safety Contacts

Jenny Rees

Jane Bailey