B.14 Prisoners At-Risk To Themselves (National Policy)

Authority for Policy

• Crimes Act 1961 Part 8
• Corrections Act 2004, Sections 12 (b), 60

Policy Standard

• Every effort is to be made to identify prisoners at-risk, and manage them to minimise their risk of self-harm

Performance Standards

1. On reception at the Receiving Office or in the most suitable location prior to the prisoner being secured in cell accommodation, prisoners are assessed and their at-risk status identified.
2. Each prisoner is reassessed for their at-risk status at critical points during their time in custody or as their status, situation or location changes, including but not limited to:
   • During or following a detoxification or withdrawal (whether or not as part of a managed programme)
   • When isolated or segregated for behaviour that causes concern
   • Overt changes in attitude to ‘self’ and situation
   • On completion of Court appearance, particularly after sentencing
   • On advice of external information i.e. further charges laid, bereavement or family group conference
   • Overt changes in relationships with others, e.g. whanau, other prisoners, and staff
   • Before or after an inter-prison or inter-unit transfer, if the prisoner’s behaviour causes concern
3. A separate at-risk file is established and maintained in the unit the prisoner is being accommodated, for each prisoner that has been identified as at-risk.
4. An at-risk prisoner’s immediate spiritual, cultural, religious, medical, mental health, special and personal needs are addressed.
5. Staff are trained to recognise and respond to prisoners who are, or may become, at-risk.
6. The management of a prisoner reflects their at-risk assessment.
7. Staff working with an at-risk prisoner, and agencies that receive an at-risk prisoner, are informed of the prisoner's current risk status.
8. At-risk prisoners are managed to minimise their risk of self-harm.
9. Staff respond to any incidents in a way that minimises the likelihood of further harm to the prisoner and minimises risk to others.
10. At-risk prisoners have the same opportunities for involvement in prison activities as other prisoners, consistent with maintaining their safety and the safety of others.
11. Appropriately skilled support personnel will have access to at-risk prisoners at all times, as required.
12. Accurate, timely and concise file notes are kept about at-risk prisoners.
13. Suitable resources are provided for managing at-risk prisoners, including bedding and clothing designed to assist with suicide prevention.
14. Detailed reports from all support personnel, documents and case notes are maintained on a prisoner’s at-risk file, which is available to staff who require it.
15. An at-risk file is transferred with a prisoner when that prisoner transfers between units or prisons.
16. Documented systems are developed to communicate information contained in the at-risk file pertaining to the risk status of prisoners to staff who interact with that prisoner; and where appropriate:
    • Other custodial units
    • Other Prisons
    • Prison health centres
    • Police
    • Escorting staff
    • Programme providers
    • Community Probation Service staff; and
    • Other medical authority as indicated
17. Careful consideration must be given to the appropriateness of placing an at-risk prisoner on escort to another prison. Where such an escort is necessary and adjudged safe, the at-risk file and all relevant advice and information must be provided to escorting staff.
18. If an at-risk prisoner is also subject to a segregation direction for the purpose of medical oversight he or she will also need to be managed in accordance with the applicable requirements of the National System – Segregation of Prisoners.