E.08.08 PECCS staff responding specifically to a prisoner death in custody

Step

Brief Description

What must be done

1

Effort to maintain to life

Every effort to revive and/or maintain life must be continued until the prisoner is pronounced dead by qualified medical personnel.

2

Control of incident scene

• Police must be notified immediately.
• The most senior security officer available must assume overall control until the Police arrive
• The immediate area must be cleared of all persons (including other prisoners) except for those who are assisting with resuscitation efforts.

3

Suspicion of crime

Where there is a suspicion that a crime has been committed:

• All prisoners who had access to the incident scene must be kept separate pending further investigation.
• Any officer, or any other person must not touch, handle or remove any property or article from the scene.
• Officers must record any observations that may be required for further investigation or any relevant voluntary statement made by any person (including prisoners) present. However, such persons must not be questioned.

4

Reporting the incident

The Security Monitor must be notified by the senior officer as soon as possible.

5

Personal property

Upon the death of a prisoner, the deceased’s property must be safeguarded. If the death is a sudden death by natural cause, the deceased’s personal property must be collected, documented and handed to the attending Police.

6

Documentation

Every detail of a prisoner’s death must be fully documented by:

• The incident being recorded in the daily logbook.
• The staff involved providing a detailed written account of the incident.
• Any other report as required by the Security Monitor.