Procedure Standard
- Prisoners at-risk to themselves are identified on reception and their immediate needs identified and addressed
Necessary Forms and Requirements
Forms:
- F1 New arrival risk assessment (IOMS)
- F2 Observation Form
Requirements:
- R1 Observing prisoners at risk
Procedure
- New Arrival Risk Assessments (NARAs) are completed on IOMS within four (4) hours of reception of all prisoners.
- The responses contained in the NARA form are cross-referenced with other information from the prisoner’s file and IOMS to reconcile the responses given in the NARA form. Staff should access the following information from IOMS: Previous at-risk assessments; Pre-sentence reports; Level 2 IOM assessments; Sentence Plan Indicator; prisoner alerts; and a check of the history of alerts.
- Sections A or B of the NARA form are completed on IOMS to reflect the results of the new arrivals risk assessment.
- Where there are two or more “yes” answers on the NARA, or there are less than two "yes" answers but the assessor still determines the prisoner to be at-risk of self-harm, the prisoner is classified as at-risk and the unit manager (or their delegate, i.e. acting unit manager) or on-call manager (if outside office hours or on weekends or public holidays), is advised immediately. Note: Two or more Yes answers on the NARA will automatically generate an alert, Risk of Self Harm, on IOMS.
- The prisoner is placed on observation at intervals of not more than 15 minutes.
- An at-risk prisoner's placement is decided immediately following at -risk assessments, and action is taken to meet any immediate spiritual, cultural, religious, medical, mental health, special or personal needs.
- Consultation must be undertaken by the unit manager (or their delegate) /on call manager with the appropriate support person(s) skilled in assessing a prisoner’s at-risk status, to determine whether or not the prisoner continues to be managed as an “at-risk” prisoner (appropriate support person(s) include: Nurses, Health Centre Managers, Forensic Psychiatrists, and managers of at-risk units). This process is to be followed for all prisoners deemed at-risk upon the completion of a NARA form by the assessor.
- The results of the consultation are noted on the NARA form in Section C by the unit manager (or their delegate) / on-call manager on whether or not the prisoner is at-risk.
- If the prisoner is deemed at-risk, the unit manager (or their delegate) / on-call manager completes a management plan, including an observation regime. Note: A review date is placed on the IOMS Risk of Self Harm and the alert is left as "Active".
- If the prisoner is determined to be not at-risk the prisoner is returned to the normal induction process. Note: The IOMS Risk of Self Harm is "De-Activated".
- Section C of the NARA form is to be completed by the unit manager (or their delegate)/on-call manager or their delegate on the IOMS within 24 hours for all prisoners referred by the assessor where there are two or more “yes” answers, or the prisoner is otherwise deemed at-risk of self harm.
- Risk of Self Harm IOMS alerts are kept active while the prisoner is housed in an At Risk unit.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Officer receiving Prisoner
- Complete NARA form.
- If a prisoner is considered to be at-risk, inform unit manager (or their delegate)/on-call officer immediately.
- If a prisoner is deemed not to be at-risk the officer can sign section A of the B.14.01.F1 on IOMS (B.14.01.F1 forms for Prisoners considered to be at-risk are signed off by the unit manager).
- Maintain prisoner's safety until appropriate actions or measures are implemented.
Unit Manager / Acting Unit Manager (delegate) or on-call manager
- Decide immediate placement to ensure the prisoner’s safety.
- Address prisoner’s immediate needs wherever possible.
- Consult with appropriately skilled personnel (Nurses, Health Centre Managers, Forensic Psychiatrists, managers of at-risk units) to determine the degree of risk.
- Note the result of the consultation on the NARA form.
- Review the Risk of Self Harm alert on IOMS.
Unit Manager
- Decide whether the prisoner is at-risk
- Manage the IOMS Risk of Self Harm alert as appropriate.
Sources of Further Information
- Previous history if necessary
