CR — HMP Swansea

HMP Swansea’s early days in custody policy was reviewed and reissued in October 2020. The review involved an in-depth assessment of the reception procedures and all reception staff were briefed on the updated policy when it was reissued. The policy also includes references to the requirements of the national CSRA policy (PSI 20/2015). The warrant is not a document that would be sent to the wing with the prisoner. However, reception staff review the warrant, PER and, where completed, the self-harm warning form and will ensure that all relevant information is passed to the wing. In circumstances where some risk information may have been received but reception staff decide not to open an ACCT, this decision will be clearly documented on the paperwork. HMP Swansea has revised its first night induction paperwork and the next of kin section now allows staff to note where consent to contact the next of kin in the event of illness is refused or where there is no next of kin given by the prisoner. Medical staff at the prison see new receptions to conduct a comprehensive healthcare screening. Where there are concerns about a prisoner’s mental health, the Mental Health Crisis team will see the prisoner. It is expected that healthcare staff are notified that an ACCT has been opened for a prisoner and that they will document it on SystmOne. Healthcare staff have access to the ACCT log (a list of open ACCTs) that is kept on a shared drive and is updated when a new ACCT is opened. The ACCT case manager will also invite healthcare staff to the first case review and the healthcare staff will be able to enter information following the case review on SystmOne. The prison makes every effort to ensure that men are housed appropriately in line with their sentencing status and will seek consent from the unconvicted prisoner to locate them with a convicted prisoner. At HMP Swansea incidents of serious self-harm are now investigated by both the prison and the Group Safety Lead to ensure that lessons are learned. The findings and recommendations from these investigations are shared at the safer custody meetings.

The early days in custody local policy was reviewed and reissued in October 2020. The review involved an in-depth assessment of the reception procedures and all reception staff were briefed on the updated policy when it was issued. This included instructions to staff to ensure that all risk information from the PER is documented on NOMIS. Staff are expected to record the decision to set an alert for self-harm/suicide, or not.

The HMPPS External Escorts policy acknowledges that there are circumstances that require sensitive handling to ensure the needs of security are balanced against the critical needs of the prisoner when they are seriously ill. Decisions that are made regarding the prisoner must be proportionate to the risks posed and supported by fully completed risk assessments. The PSI on External Escorts provides that a risk assessment must be carried out in cases of seriously ill prisoners to determine the circumstances under which close family and relatives may be allowed to visit the prisoner. Each decision will be made on a case by case basis, considering all relevant information and the potential risks. When a prisoner is taken to outside hospital, HMP Swansea undertakes an escort risk assessment. This assessment records the details of the next of kin and a decision will be taken about whether the next of kin should be notified that the prisoner is being transferred to hospital based on all known information, balancing this with any security risks or operational considerations. The risk assessment will be reviewed on a daily basis and consideration will be given to the visiting arrangements for the next of kin as part of this process, as well as the status of the prisoner. Visiting arrangements will be in line with the hospital’s visiting policy.

HMP Swansea currently has three trained family liaison officers (FLO). The most experienced FLO works as part of the Safer Custody team and reports to the Head of Safety. The prison is increasing the number of FLOs and has secured a place on the January FLO course for one person. Three additional FLOs have been selected and are awaiting places on the FLO training course. HMPPS recognises that access to family and loved ones can act as a protective factor for many people. A person’s family or significant other may well also be in a good position to know when something is wrong, and to spot signs of improvement. They can also offer insight into past behaviour, what is ‘normal’ for that individual and what support has helped in the past. At HMP Swansea, the Safer Custody team works with the Offender Management Unit and Pact (the family services provider) to help prisoners develop and maintain family ties. Additionally, HMP Swansea piloted and has successfully rolled out ACCT version 6, which emphasises the importance of family support by encouraging family members and loved ones to be seen as valuable partners within the ACCT process who can help to inform the support put in place for residents (where consent is given).

HMPPS has emphasised the importance of family support as part of ACCT version 6, and has clearly set out expectations for when family engagement would be appropriate (noting that this will not be the case for all those in our care) and offered practical guidance on how this can be achieved. This is reflected in policy, staff guidance and staff training. HMPPS has also improved the ACCT documentation itself so that this information can be easily and consistently recorded, alongside consent for family involvement, for use throughout the ACCT process. The CAREMAP has been renamed as support actions to reflect the aims of the form more clearly and this makes up part of the care plan section which has been moved to the front of the document in recognition of its importance in binding all sections of the ACCT document and steering positive outcomes for the individual. The care plan section also includes a form for prisoners to provide written contribution to case reviews and allows an alternative method for them to express their views. Where a prisoner at HMP Swansea has given consent for information to be shared with a family member as part of the ACCT process, there will be a discussion at the case review to identify what information can be shared and by whom. The risk reduction plan is then updated accordingly.

Effective multi-disciplinary support is crucial to the ACCT process. This means that regular case reviews must take place, with case review teams made up of staff members who are relevant to the care and support of the individual at risk. This includes staff members who know the individual particularly well or who are in regular contact with them, such as wing staff, as well as those who can help to address specific needs. This remains the case with ACCT version 6. Whilst HMPPS has not specifically mandated the attendance of wing staff, it has clearly set out guidance as to who should be considered to be involved in case review teams, with case managers then considering this in each individual circumstance. HMPPS will also be strengthening its guidance on how multi-disciplinary partners can be engaged in the process in order to improve consistency of attendance and support. HMP Swansea ensures that there is a continuity of case managers during the ACCT process and the prisoner’s key worker is noted on the ACCT log. Case managers should discuss with, or seek contributions from, the prisoner’s key worker before holding the case review. Where possible, the key worker, or someone else who knows the prisoner will attend the case review. Where this is not possible, a written report will be provided.

The Governor of HMP Swansea has written to Prison Officers E and F, Nurse 3 and the Night Orderly Officer, Mr M, to formally commend them for their efforts in seeking to save CR.