Managing Offender's Medication

Introduction

This topic describes the process used when an offender is subject to a centre-based placement and:

suffers an ongoing medical condition which requires them to take prescription medication (such as an asthma inhaler), or
is suffering a transitory medical condition, which requires them to take prescription or pharmacy medication (such as antibiotics or cold and flu tablets).

Note: Check that the medication the offender is taking has been prescribed for them (i.e. the prescription has the offender’s name on it).

Keeping up-to-date with medication

Probation officers must be aware of the medications offenders are taking while subject to CW.

For centre-based placements, offenders should be asked prior to leaving in their work gangs on every reporting day if they have medical conditions or medication that the centre is not already aware of.

For agency placements, the offender should be questioned about any medical condition(s) and medications on each agency visit.

Dealing with medication

The table below describes the process of how to deal with an offender’s medication.

Stage	Description
1	The offender informs the probation officer: of the type of medication what the medical condition is, and that they require medication. Note: If on an agency placement, the agency needs to be aware of the offender’s medical conditions and medications. The probation officer, community work supervisor or agency is not to dispense medication. The offender is to medicate themselves in accordance with the instructions on the prescription.
2	The probation officer checks the labelling on the medication for any indications that the medication may have an effect on the offender’s ability to perform work activities, such as operation of powered equipment. Is the information clearly stated, as to whether there is an effect or not? If yes, go to stage 3. If no, the probation officer telephones a pharmacist to find out the details and then goes to stage 3.
3	The probation officer confirms that the offender is fit for work, and negotiates with the offender/agency to arrange how the medication will be dispensed.
4	If required, the offender hands the medication over to the probation officer after taking the prescribed dose.

Medical certificates

If the CWC-placed offender, or the CWA, advises absence due to illness, consider whether or not a medical certificate is required.

A medical certificate should normally be provided within 72 hours of the directed reporting time.

Exemptions

A probation officer has the discretion to exempt an offender from this requirement in respect of absences relating to illness or injury. In exercising this discretion, consider the following factors:

the nature of the illness or injury, considering existing medical conditions for which a medical certificate may have already been supplied

previous compliance
motivation/attitude
whether the offender is prepared to report on an alternative day
whether the expected duration of absence due to illness/injury is greater than one day
the number or frequency of previous absences due to illness or injury.

CWC – offender absence, illness and medical certificates

If an offender is unable to report on a reporting day due to illness (or any other reason), they are required to contact the service centre and/or their probation officer by 10:00 am of the reporting day.

The probation officer can direct the offender to provide a medical certificate. This certificate is to contain sufficient information to determine whether the offender needs to be excused or is fit for “light duties”. If the absence is for other reasons, the offender can be required to provide supporting evidence, e.g. a letter from an employer.

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