E.08.04.01 Responding To Incidents

Performance Standard

1. Each incident is investigated as soon as is practical after it has occurred and the results of the investigation documented and reported.
2. Every incident that harmed or might have harmed a person is investigated as a high priority and the findings documented.
3. Reports of incidents are analysed and the findings used to assist implementation of changes necessary to reduce the risk of similar incidents occurring.
4. Where an incident occurs immediate action is taken to reduce the risk of further loss or harm to people, property or systems.
5. If people have been injured, the required intervention is initiated to maintain life and prevent secondary accidents. Health staff and/or emergency services are called, and the Prison Manager is informed.
6. The Prison Manager is informed of internal (prison) incident details and approves initial follow-up actions.
   1. The Prisoner Escort and Court Custodial Services Management (PECCS) is informed and approves initial follow up action for external contractors.
7. Initial actions to prevent recurrence and maintain control of the incident situation are implemented in conjunction with the manager of the area.
8. Where necessary, visitors are given immediate treatment by health services then referred to external agencies for continuation of care.
9. The Post Incident Response Team is notified where required to support prison staff according to requirements.
10. Cultural and Chaplaincy services are notified where support is necessary.
11. An Information report is completed by a staff witness on IOMS before the end of their shift and notification forwarded to the manager of the area in which the incident occurred. For major incidents, as defined by E.08.07.R1 Incident Notification, all witnesses are required to report on IOMS before the end of their shift. Staff required to complete incident reports on IOMS before the completion of their shift must have access to computers as a priority over other computer use.
    1. Security Officer witness are to complete an Information report before the end of their shift and notification forwarded to the PECCS manager of the area in which the incident occurred.  However when this cannot occur (inadequate office facilities or time of the incident) they are to obtain verbal approval from the PECCS manager to complete the Information report within the following 24 hour period.
12. The underlying causes of the incident are identified, analysed and action planned to resolve or minimise cause.
13. An operational debriefing, as a result of an incident, is held for the appropriate incident types outlined in E.08.07.R2.
14. For internal (prison) incidents, the incident follow-up report is forwarded to the Regional Manager for approval of planned actions, and to ensure follow up.
15. For internal (prison) incidents, the IOMS Incident Summary Report is completed by 12 midday on the next business day.
16. Incidents requiring immediate notification (as per the National System- Incident Reporting in Prisons) are to be reported to the PPS National Office Operations Adviser through the incident line phone number and entered on the IOMS system.

Incident Management

1. Health and Safety issues should take priority over the reporting of incidents.
2. Staff respond to incidents in a way which respects the cultural or religious beliefs of those affected.
3. When an incident is serious or investigation by prison or police is a likely consequence the incident scene may become a crime scene and must be preserved (see Crime Scene Procedures).
4. Staff in key locations are trained to provide first aid promptly and effectively in all incidents involving injury.
5. Health staff or emergency services are contacted to respond to an incident which involves injury to a staff member or prisoner.
6. Any blood or bodily fluid at an incident or crime scene must not be cleansed in any way from the time staff first arrive at an incident until such time as the area is returned to prison authorities by Police, at which time cleansing by Tohunga should be given consideration.