Prison emergency cell entry

8 items 1 source

Unclear guidance for prison officers on emergency cell entry procedures, compromising prisoner welfare in critical situations.

Prison emergency cell entry has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:

8 PFD reports

This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.

Concerns: A significant delay in commencing CPR occurred due to a lack of shared understanding of its urgency and an uncoordinated response among detention officers and a nurse. No clear protocols define emergency roles.

Concerns: There's a severe lack of first aid and CPR training for prison officers, including new recruits, creating critical response gaps. Routinely obscured cell observation panels and unclear guidance on emergency cell entry further compromise prisoner safety.

Concerns: There's no clear escalation route for prison healthcare staff to challenge inappropriate prisoner discharges from acute care, nor national guidance for returning prisoners when healthcare concerns are unaddressed by consultants.

Concerns: A significant risk exists in HMP Forest Bank due to emergency cell bells being easily deactivated by other prisoners, potentially delaying critical medical responses.

Concerns: Staff lack timely training and guidance on appropriate cell entry during medical emergencies and correct use of Code Blue/Red communications, risking delayed or improper responses.

Concerns: National training for prison staff lacks clear guidance on the safe use of force when prisoners have items in their mouths, posing a risk to breathing.

Concerns: Stationary ambulance doors that cannot be locked pose a risk to police containment of individuals detained under the Mental Health Act, potentially allowing egress from the vehicle.

Concerns: Old prison wings lacking anti-barricade doors delayed emergency access, and a prisoner with documented self-harm threats was not placed on an appropriate monitoring plan (ACCT).