Ministry of Justice

Noted (AI summary) • A common, local protocol for managing those suspected to be under the influence of illicit substances (UTI) at HMP Bedford has been agreed and implemented with the Prison Governor and Head of Safety. • The protocol clearly articulates the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of both healthcare and prison staff in the identification, assessment, and management of those suspected to be UTI. • The protocol makes it clear when prison staff should escalate to healthcare staff and states that healthcare staff are responsible for taking the lead on • HMP Bedford and NHFT carried out a joint review of the UTI policies and protocols in place, resulting in the removal of any previous conflicting guidance and implementation of a single UTI protocol. • The updated protocol has been issued to all prison and healthcare staff through structured briefings, written notices, daily meeting updates, and daily checks. • A newly appointed substance misuse lead carries out daily assurance and visits all suspected UTI cases, ensuring consistency between operational and healthcare colleagues and consistent adherence to the UTI protocol.

Noted (AI summary) • HMP Pentonville has introduced a digital induction passport to consolidate key risk information from paper records into a secure electronic format. • The prison has appointed a Head of Early Days with specific responsibility for the reception function, who is leading a comprehensive review of reception procedures. • The group safety team conducts regular early days exercises, which replicate a prisoner’s arrival and induction experience.

Noted (AI summary) The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges concerns about communication and confusion during medical emergencies in prisons, confirms HM Prison and Probation Service has primacy for command and control, and highlights existing CQC guidance on reducing harm in mental health settings.

Noted (AI summary) The College of Policing outlines existing guidance and practitioner advice for officers and staff regarding suspects of child sexual exploitation and risk assessment processes following release from custody, noting Mr. Brierley declined support offered. The Home Office acknowledges the report and expresses condolences, notes the relevant guidance provided by the College of Policing, and states that a review concluded appropriate support was provided to Mr. Brierley by Border Force. The NPCC is undertaking research to identify commonalities in post-custody suicides to establish a post-release risk assessment process and mandatory referral to support agencies, and has shared the PFD report with all UK custody leads with recommendations for investigative strategies. The Ministry of Justice believes the report should have been directed to the Home Secretary, as it relates to police investigative procedures, bail conditions, and Border Force (Home Office) matters.

Noted (AI summary) • The prison has developed and embedded a new process to ensure that important information relating to the welfare of prisoners is recorded and shared appropriately. • Any contact from a concerned relative or friend of a prisoner must be logged as a case note on P-NOMIS and the Safety team must be informed. • That information is then added to the daily briefing sheet and discussed at the next Safety Intervention Meeting (SIM). • The prison is rolling out mental health training for Custodial Managers and CSU Staff to assist with populating the referral form with all relevant information. • The prison expects all existing staff in these positions to have completed the training by the end of January 2025 and that new recruits into these positions will be required to complete the training before taking up post. • The Prison is willing to publish an amended version of the referral form if the Mental Health team identify that they require the inclusion of specific information.

Noted (AI summary) HM Inspectorate of Prisons acknowledges the concerns raised and states that the issues are covered in their inspection criteria. They will keep the findings on file for future inspections of HMP Whatton and HMP Hollesley Bay. HMP Whatton will update their Induction policy to include a "late arrivals form" for prisoners when a normal induction cannot be facilitated, and has amended their local safety strategy to ensure prisoners are informed in writing when their CSRA levels change. HMP Hollesley Bay will seek POM attendance at local stability meetings where OCSAs are being discussed wherever possible.