I.04 Induction interview

These procedures specify the requirements for conducting an induction interview with newly arrived prisoners, including a new arrival risk assessment (NARA), immediate needs assessment, requests for voluntary segregation, advice to prisoners who are citizens of another country, and information on how remand time may be reviewed.

I.04.01 Interview conduct requirements

Staff must ensure as far as practicable that information and advice is accessible in a form and language that is appropriate to the prisoner. Where language is a barrier to the reception and induction of new arrivals, staff must consider the use of the interpreting service ConnectingNow.

1. Information is provided to prisoners through a structured induction interview, using appropriate and culturally sensitive communication skills to ensure that the prisoner understands the information given.
2. Prisoners are informed of their obligations, rights, privileges and their access to services in a way they can understand.
3. The prisoner is encouraged to take responsibility for their offending.
4. The message to the prisoner regarding the chance to change is promoted and reinforced.

I.04.02 New arrival risk assessment (NARA)

1. The first procedure of the induction interview is to assess the risk of the prisoner to self harm, by completing the procedures set out in POM M.05 Prisoners at risk of self harm, using the M.05.01.Form.01 Reception Risk Assessment (IOMS Form).
2. This assessment must be completed within four (4) hours of the prisoners arrival.
3. If, on completing the NARA, the prisoner has been assessed as at-risk, arrange for the unit PCO / on-call manager to be advised, and complete the rest of the interview pending their arrival.

I.04.03 Immediate needs assessment

1. After completing the NARA, assess the immediate needs of the prisoner using the I.04.Form.02 Immediate needs checklist.
2. The immediate needs must occur within 4 hours of the prisoner arrival if they are:
   1. first received into a prison on remand
   2. newly sentenced
   3. received on transfer from another prison in a different geographical area.
      The exceptions are:
      1. remand prisoners going to Court and returning the same day, unless they return as sentenced prisoners,
      2. sentenced prisoners who go to Court on further charges but return the same day after having the charges deferred,
      3. prisoners transferring to prisons within the same vicinity (within a 50 kilometre radius).
3. On completion of the immediate needs assessment where possible the needs are addressed and results documented, and, where not possible, referrals are immediately made to the most appropriate person available.

I.04.04 Voluntary segregation

1. If, as part of the induction interview, the prisoner requests voluntary protective custody, complete the process as set out in POM M.01.05 Voluntary protective custody (Voluntary segregation).

I.04.05 Advice to prisoner who is a citizen of another country

1. If the prisoner is a citizen of another country, a copy must be provided of the I.04.Form.03 Advice to prisoner who is a citizen of another country, and the prisoner advised that:
   1. he / she can request the prison director to inform a consular representative of the country the prisoner is a citizen of, of his / her detention
   2. any correspondence addressed to such a representative by the prisoner will be forwarded to that representative without delay (Corrections Act 2004 section 42(2))
   3. he / she is entitled to reasonable access to a telephone, free of charge, for the purpose of communicating with a consular representative of the country they are a citizen of.

I.04.06 Notification of review of remand time

1. Upon completion of the interview, provide the prisoner with a copy of I.04.Form.04 Notification of review of remand time and I.04.Form.05 Request for review of remand time, and explain the content of these forms, ensuring that the prisoner understands.

I.04.07 Identification of prisoner’s gang status

1. Prison staff must enter gang information into IOMS if the prisoner:
   1. Admits gang connections, or
   2. their behaviour indicates gang connections (e.g. prisoner gives gang signs, or uses gang slogans)
   3. they have tattoos or clothing associated with gangs
   4. their property contains gang’s paraphernalia, or
   5. information is received from communications disclosures ( Op Intel, mail, telephone, visitors).

I.04.08 Identification of prisoner’s offending against children

1. The Receiving Officer must review the prisoner’s criminal history and raise a Child Protection Policy alert in IOMS if the prisoner is charged with, or has any convictions for, offending against a person under 16.
   (Refer to Child Protection Policy Qualifying Offences.)
2. This check must occur and where appropriate, the alert raised for all newly received prisoners including transfers.

Related Links

• Child Protection Policy Qualifying Offences