PSO 0550 - Prisoner Induction

Prison Service Order PRISONER INDUCTION

ORDER NUMBER 0550

This PSO must be read in conjunction with PSI 52/2010 Early Days in Custody EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

This Prison Service Order provides the Service with instructions on the delivery and management of induction processes for prisoners.

This is a revised version of PSO 0550, to take account of developments since 2000. It is a briefer document, supported by Prisoner Induction Guidance. Good practice in dealing with Suicide and Self-Harm prevention during induction can be found in the Safer Induction Toolkit

The PSO applies to all prisoners. The instructions and guidance in this PSO apply to juveniles subject to the additions and modifications in PSO 4950 ‘Regimes for Juveniles’

References to Governors include Directors of Contracted-out Prisons.

All earlier issues of PSO 0550 must be destroyed.

DESIRED OUTCOME

All prisoners new to custody or to an establishment are provided with an appropriate induction process. The aims are to assist and support the prisoner’s integration into the establishment; to continue the assessment process; and to enable the prisoner to remain safe, make the best use of their time in custody, and prepare for a law abiding life after release.

MANDATORY ACTIONS

This PSO includes mandatory actions indicated in italic typeface. Establishments will be audited against the Performance Standard 42 Prisoner Induction.

Every establishment must devise its own prisoner induction policies and procedures, to show how it will fulfil the requirements of this PSO. This must be available to staff, prisoners, and IMB and must be reviewed annually.

RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The PSO sets out the minimum components required in an induction process. The changes in this PSO reflect changes in practice and recent initiatives. Establishments will be able to comply with the PSO within existing resources. Prisoner induction may be implemented flexibly to take account of the different types of prison and the different needs of prisoners. IMPLEMENTATION DATE: 1 June 2005

(signed)

Michael Spurr Director of Operations

Further advice is available from the NOMS Offender Policy and Rights Unit:

Roy Donno 020 7217 6567 Tony Sperry 020 7217 6271 CONTENTS

1 Definition of Induction 1.1 Definition 1.2 Scope 1.3 Legal and Moral Obligations

2 Transition from Reception 2.1 Transition 2.2 Ensuring the immediate well-being of the prisoner 2.3 Prisoner communication needs 2.4 Late arrivals 2.5 Prisoners feeling anxious 2.6 Prisoners at risk of self-harm/suicide 2.7 Timing of the Induction Period 2.8 Role of other Prisoners 2.9 Transfer to the unit/wing 2.10 Integration

3. Ensuring provision and safety for the first night 3.1 First night

4 Needs based induction 4.1 Needs based induction 4.2 Information and advice 4.3 Flexibility 4.4 Induction is for all 4.5 Prisoners new to custody 4.6 Unconvicted prisoners 4.7 Prisoners changing status 4.8 Prisoners transferred from another establishment 4.9 Prisoners returning after recent release from custody 4.10 Elderly and disabled prisoners 4.11 Young offenders 4.12 Women 4.13 Life sentenced prisoners 4.14 Foreign nationals

5 The Induction Process 5.1 Core components 5.2 Timetable of induction 5.3 Dealing with immediate needs 5.4 Families and contact with the outside world

6 Information Needs 6.1 Appropriate information and communicating it 6.2 Providing information 6.3 Local materials 6.4 Prisoner Information Books 6.5 Rules information 6.6 Prison life 6.7 Sources of assistance 6.8 Formal procedures 6.9 Opportunities - including preparing for release 7 The Assessment Process 7.1 General assessments 7.2 Healthcare 7.3 Individual needs 7.4 CARAT 7.5 Learning and Skills 7.6 Physical Education 7.7 Employment/vocational training 7.8 Religion/Faith 7.9 Resettlement 7.10 Risk of escaping/absconding

8 The Management and Staffing of Induction 8.1 Staff working on prisoner induction 8.2 Management of induction 8.3 Governors’ responsibilities 8.4 Evaluation 8.5 Location 8.6 Standard of accommodation

Link to Guidance Notes SECTION 1 - DEFINITION OF INDUCTION

1.1 Definition Induction is a process, not an event. Induction begins as soon as reception is complete. The purpose is to inform prisoners about prison life, the regime and their responsibilities and privileges and to begin to prepare them for their return to the community. The induction process enables prisoners to approach their time in custody constructively in order to gain the maximum benefit from their sentence. It enables prison staff to begin to explain the standards expected in prison and to establish the culture and ethos of the establishment. The decency agenda is established during reception and induction.

1.2 Scope Induction is required for all prisoners:  New to custody  Who have changed status (eg unconvicted to convicted unsentenced)  Who are new to a prison  Who are serving an Intermittent Custody sentence.

1.3 Legal and Moral Obligations  Reception and induction procedures must comply with the Prison Rules 1999 (Consolidated 2002) and the YOI Rules 2000 (Consolidated 2002). To fulfil Duty of Care under Health & Safety regulations, and adhere to the Human Rights Act.  The Prison Service Race Relations policy must be emphasised and applied during the induction process  Prisons must provide an induction process that takes account of and is responsive to the particular needs of disabled prisoners and the requirement of the Prison Service to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Arrangements for external assessments should be made where appropriate.  Prisons must provide an induction process which provides for those who have language barriers and/or cannot communicate to participate in the induction programme

Back to PSO 0550 contents SECTION 2 - THE TRANSITION FROM RECEPTION

2.1 Transition Induction is the period from completion of formal reception procedures until the prisoner is integrated into the normal prison routine. Reception is covered by PSO 0500. Once the reception procedures have finished, prisoners must be classed as being on the induction process even if they have not yet started a formal induction programme. The formal induction programme must start as soon as practicable after reception, preferably the next day.

2.2 Ensuring the immediate well-being of the prisoner Reception staff must communicate effectively with induction staff, who must prioritise any outstanding needs of prisoners that could not be dealt with during the reception process.

Governors must ensure that effective communication systems operate between reception and induction so that any relevant information is passed on. There must also be systems in place to provide relevant information about new prisoners to other departments within the prison.

2.3 Prisoner communication needs It is vital to establish these, including identifying their first language and their understanding of and ability to communicate in English and any learning, sight or hearing difficulties. Where learning, sight or hearing difficulties are identified, this information must be communicated by Reception or Induction staff to the Head of Learning & Skills to ensure that arrangements can be made to address these needs within the Learning & Skills provision.

Where appropriate, and available interpretation services must be used during reception and induction and thereafter to enable staff to communicate with non- English speaking or deaf prisoners.

2.4 Late arrivals Governors must ensure that arrangements are in place to deal with prisoners arriving late in the day or at weekends. In particular those experiencing substance withdrawal should be offered appropriate clinical interventions in accordance with Clinical Substance Standards.

2.5 Prisoners feeling anxious Many prisoners new to custody will be feeling anxious and prisoners who have been transferred may be unhappy at the move, particularly if they are a long way away from their family. Staff must respond sympathetically to prisoners’ anxiety and provide them with opportunities to talk about their concerns.

2.6 Prisoners at risk of self-harm/ suicide Staff must be alert to the elevated risk of self-harm/suicide at this stage and must apply the instructions in PSO 2700 and its supporting guidance throughout induction. 10% of suicides occur within the first 24 hours in custody, and 21% within the first week. It is important to be aware of various forms of risk and not merely have regard to those prisoners with active suicidal intent.

Induction staff will be involved in drawing up/amending a support plan for at risk prisoners who are new to the establishment. Staff will need to be aware of significant anniversaries that could cause additional risk.

2.7 Timing of the induction period The length will vary depending on the needs of the individual and some prisoners undergoing substance withdrawal or with other pressing health issues may not be suitable for the full formal induction programme immediately. Healthcare staff should be consulted to establish the point at which such prisoners may be fit to attend an induction programme The capacity for apparently lucid prisoners experiencing substance withdrawal to retain information in the first week of custody is often severely limited. It must be ensured that all prisoners are given a full induction programme as soon as they are able to benefit from it.

2.8 Role of other prisoners Other prisoners, if carefully selected and supervised, can have a valuable role in settling the prisoner into the life of the establishment by contributing to the induction process.

2.9 Transfer to the unit/wing Induction must aid the transfer to the unit/wing. An aim of induction is to facilitate a smooth transition for the prisoner from entering custody to following a normal prison routine. Prisoners may have anxieties about mixing with other prisoners, particularly on the wing.

2.10 Integration Induction must help to integrate the prisoner into the life of the establishment.

Induction helps by:  Establishing positive relationships - particularly between staff and prisoners, but also between prisoners themselves. Induction provides an opportunity for staff to gain the confidence and co-operation of prisoners and is a key influence on future dealings between staff and prisoners  Establishing standards - these are the standards of behaviour expected in the establishment, particularly in terms of race relations and violence reduction  Establishing expectations - the prisoner is informed about prison life and is given a clearer idea of what to expect  Equipping prisoners to use the period in custody constructively and safely.

Back to PSO 0550 contents SECTION 3 - ENSURING PROVISION AND SAFETY FOR THE FIRST NIGHT

3.1 First night - Governors must ensure that arrangements are in place for staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the prisoner, particularly during the prisoner’s first night in the prison. In addition to suicide/self-harm risk assessments, a cell sharing risk assessment must be completed before a prisoner is locked up for the first night.

PSO 0500 Reception also contains mandatory actions relating to First Night and should be read in conjunction with this PSO. Further information is available in the Prisoner Induction Guidance

Back to PSO 0550 contents SECTION 4 – NEEDS BASED INDUCTION

4.1 Needs based Induction Each establishment must have induction arrangements which can be varied in response to the needs of prisoners, and means to assess these needs.

4.2 Information and advice During induction relevant information must be explained to prisoners in a language they understand, including that they will be allowed reasonable facilities and reasonable access to specialist advice to preserve outside links and supportive factors, including housing, finance, employment and family ties.

4.3 Flexibility Induction must be flexible and respond to the different needs that prisoners present. Induction must be adapted according to the prisoner’s status ie whether the prisoner is unconvicted, convicted unsentenced, sentenced or is a civil prisoner.

Induction caters for different types of prisoners and situations and arrangements may vary to reflect local circumstances. Prisoners’ information and other needs may also vary according to the type and length of sentence. Prisoners recalled to custody when a licence is revoked may also have particular needs.

4.4 Induction is for all Staff must ensure that all prisoners, whether located on a dedicated induction unit or not, receive induction. Prisoners in segregation must not be excluded from an appropriate induction process. PSO 1700 covers use of segregation.

Others who may need special attention may be in the health care centre or detox unit or Vulnerable Prisoners Unit. Specific induction arrangements for such prisoners should be developed as part of the establishment’s induction policy, with a follow up on return to normal location.

Details of prisoners who are currently on induction and prisoners who have completed the induction process must be recorded. Staff responsible for prisoners’ welfare must have access to these records.

4.5 Prisoners new to custody First time prisoners will have the greatest needs for induction and must be accorded particular attention.

4.6 Unconvicted prisoners Induction for remand prisoners must take account of their special status, as set out in Annex B of PSO 4600.

During induction relevant information must be explained to them, including that they will be allowed reasonable facilities and reasonable access to specialist advice. They must be told of their rights and privileges under Prison Rules 20(5), 23(1 and 35(1) relating to medical/dental treatment, letters and visits and wearing their own clothes.

4.7 Prisoners changing status A change of status, for example from unconvicted to convicted, will require an induction process relevant to their individual circumstances and to their previous experience and knowledge of custody. 4.8 Prisoners transferred from another establishment Induction must be provided for prisoners who are new to the particular establishment, even if they have undergone induction elsewhere. Staff must be aware of the different reasons for prisoner movement and be flexible in their approach to new arrivals, who may have different needs according to the reason for the move.

Induction staff must ensure that any missing information from a previous establishment is followed up. Chapter 4 of PSO 0500 Reception sets out key sources of information. It is extremely important to get this information as it may contain previously identified risks and needs of the prisoner. This information will include the type of support offered to the prisoner in the previous establishment so that continuity of care can be maintained where possible.

4.9 Prisoners returning after recent release from custody Prisoners returning to the same prison who have completed induction before may only need to be reminded of the ethos of the establishment, key information and informed about any changes in procedures.

4.10 Elderly and disabled prisoners These prisoners may have particular concerns and needs, for example relating to their health and mobility and the need for special facilities, which must be considered during induction.

4.11 Young offenders Consideration needs to be given to the learning styles of young offenders, which may be different from adult prisoners, particularly in concentration. Induction needs to be pitched so that it is understandable to all. The use of pictures may aid understanding.

4.12 Women All the general principles in this PSO refer to women, but additionally staff must be aware of and respond to the issues that are more likely to arise with women and female young offenders or are particular to them.

4.13 Life sentenced prisoners Potential, convicted and recalled life sentenced prisoners will need information about life sentences covering tariff, progress through the lifer system and the review process.

4.14 Foreign nationals In addition to language or literacy needs, some prisoners may have particular difficulty in maintaining links with family and friends. Foreign national prisoners and those with close ties abroad are entitled to a free monthly phone call if they have had no visits in the previous month.

This can be in the form of pin phone credit. Foreign national prisoners also often require information on immigration and deportation issues. They must also be offered the opportunity to contact their Embassy should they wish to.

Back to PSO 0550 contents SECTION 5 - THE INDUCTION PROCESS

5.1 Core Components Governors must have in place induction procedures which:  Deal with immediate and urgent needs  Enable prisoners to cope in custody  Provide information, both about custody generally and the routines of the particular establishment  Ensure that the prisoner feels confident asking for help  Continue the assessment process  Help to integrate the prisoner into the life of the establishment  Aid the transfer from induction to the unit/wing  Can be customised to complement and help develop the support plan (or Caremap) of any prisoner identified as at risk to self

This may be done through a series of modules from which the appropriate selection can be made. Governors may add to this to create an induction process suited to the needs of their establishment. If a prisoner cannot complete a module for any reason, such as disability, then this must be recorded on the F2055C record of training.

5.2 Timetable of induction Prisoners will be given a timetable for the induction process. Steps will be taken to ensure prisoners are fully occupied.

5.3 Dealing with immediate needs Prisoners’ most immediate needs will have been dealt with during the reception process, but induction staff must ensure that any remaining pressing concerns and warning signs are identified and dealt with appropriately. The risk of self-harm/suicide remains high during the induction period. Where there are concerns an F2052SH/ACCT must be opened.

5.4 Families and contact with the outside world During induction, prisoners must be provided with facilities for writing letters and given access to, and encouraged to use, designated telephones in order to maintain and strengthen ties with those outside. Information about visits must also be provided. The Assisted Prisons Visits Scheme must be explained.

This can go a long way to dispelling fears about how family and friends are coping on the outside and is especially relevant to younger, more vulnerable, prisoners. When a first call is made it may be suggested that the prisoner gives the friend/relative the visits booking line number. This gives something positive to focus on amid the potential anxieties of the early days.

Hand-outs should be provided for family and friends including details of how to find the prison and how to book visits.

Back to PSO 0550 contents SECTION 6 – INFORMATION NEEDS

6.1 Appropriate information and communicating it Information provided must be appropriate to the individual prisoner. Information provided by different members of staff must be consistent. This means that the information is provided in a format that the prisoner can understand and the methods of communication are varied and encourage prisoner interaction.

6.2 Providing information Prisoners must be provided with the information they will need for living in the establishment and making full use of its facilities and opportunities. Staff will bear in mind that there are limits on the amount of information prisoners can absorb at any one time, particularly when they may be new to custody and feeling anxious. Staff will avoid using jargon without explanation, will check for understanding and will be prepared to repeat information as necessary.

6.3 Local materials Every establishment must produce its own locally relevant induction material, ideally in a variety of formats.

6.4 Prisoners’ Information Books All prisoners must be informed during induction about the availability of the relevant Prisoners’ Information Book. Life sentenced prisoners must be provided with the Prisoners’ Information Book for Life Sentenced Prisoners during the induction process. See PSO 0400 for details.

6.5 Rules information Information must be provided about the rules and procedures of the prison, including Prison Rules. Information may need repeating at a later stage as prisoners settle in. An indicative list is contained in the supporting guidance.

6.6 Prison life Induction must include information about prison life. Induction helps to shape prisoners’ expectations and relieve concerns about their safety by providing them with information on how the establishment is run and what standards are expected of prisoners.

All prisoners will be helped to understand the ethos of decency and respect, including respect for diversity. This needs to begin immediately with staff modelling respectful behaviour and being committed to promoting positive behaviour. Group activities can be helpful in establishing a sense of mutual responsibility, and to demonstrate that the same rules apply to all. Involvement of Listeners and Insiders, where possible, will greatly help with this.

Information must be provided about:

 Equal Opportunities, including Race Relations Policy. Prisoners must be given the name of the establishment Race Relations Liaison Officer (and any deputies) and the purpose of the Race Relations Management Team must be explained  Violence Reduction Statement and Suicide Prevention Strategy, the key principles of which, will be displayed in an area or areas where prisoners on induction are likely to read them, as well as being emphasised throughout induction without raising fear. Some prisoners may be at risk of self-harm/suicide and this topic needs to be dealt with sensitively. Induction will provide reassurance that there is help for people feeling this way and advice on where to get help. Staff must follow PSO 2700, initiating F2052SH or ACCT action where concerns are identified.  Facilities for religious observance, including times and places of services; dress; diet; the availability of ministers of different religions; special arrangements for holy days.  Health issues, including basic first aid; infectious diseases (including TB, hepatitis, HIV, AIDS); healthy lifestyle; how to contact healthcare staff; times of surgeries; and the range of healthcare services available  Help with substance misuse, including the availability of CARAT services and voluntary testing  Hygiene, including food handling (e.g. advice on keeping food in cells) and personal (e.g. availability of baths/showers)  Daily routine. Prisoners need to know what is expected of them; mealtimes and lock-up times; and different weekday and weekend routines.  Expected standards of behaviour, including how prisoners must treat staff and each other, what their responsibilities/duties are, and how they are entitled to be treated by staff.  Advice on coping in custody. This needs to be realistic and linked to sources of assistance. Selected prisoner peer supporters can be very helpful in this respect.  Health and Safety, including fire procedures and in the gym  Library, including times available  Laundry, and provision of clothing  Canteen or prison shop , including when and how available and limits on spending

6.7 Sources of assistance Induction must include provision of information about sources of assistance, including contact details. The prisoner will be more integrated into the life of the establishment if they can meet as many of these people as is appropriate during the induction process: . Chaplaincy Team. It is good practice to involve the Chaplaincy Team in induction. They will often be able to provide supportive care for prisoners at this time. World Faith Rooms and chapels must be sign-posted in various languages. . Healthcare staff, who will provide information about the dentist, doctor, and any other available healthcare services and arrangements for dispensing and retaining medication. . Personal/specified officer. . Samaritans. Samaritans numbers, and access to Samaritans phones, and other local helplines must be available. . Listeners/Insiders/Buddies, where available. Where prisoners state they have previously been trained as Samaritan Listeners, the Samaritan Co-ordinator must be informed in order that this can be verified with the previous Samaritan branch. . CARATs team, for any problem drug users. . RRLO and/or Foreign Nationals Co-ordinator . Disability Liaison Officer . Any other services, such as housing, employment and benefits advice.

6.8 Formal procedures Induction must include provision of information about formal procedures and how they affect prisoners, including (as appropriate):  Legal matters, including legal aid, bail applications, appeals, Criminal Cases Review Commission and facilities for legal visits  Sentence calculation  Categorisation  OASys (where available)/sentence planning for eligible prisoners  Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP)  Compacts  Transfers  Release on temporary licence (ROTL) Conditional release on licence  Home Detention Curfew (HDC)  Parole  Extended licences  Procedures for Lifers and (Post April 2005) Public Protection sentences  Immigration/deportation/repatriation/extradition  Review of recall and representations

6.9 Opportunities, including preparing for release Induction must include provision of information about the opportunities in prison, including preparing for release.

Induction is an opportunity to encourage the prisoner to have a positive attitude to their time in custody and to make the most of the opportunities available. Information about these opportunities is best conveyed during induction through observation and/or participation in the relevant activity, where possible. The opportunities available will vary between establishments, but information must be provided about:  Education  Employment, NVQs and vocational training  PE - the emphasis being that there is something for everyone.  Resettlement - including contact with outside agencies and organisations who offer support on release. Attention will be paid, in particular, to prisoners without OASys/sentence plans and for whom reintegrating into the outside community is less than six months away.  Information about how to access primary care services on release from prison and arrangements for continuity of care.

Back to PSO 0550 contents 6 SECTION 7 - The assessment process

7.1 General Assessments The assessment of prisoners’ needs must begin during reception and induction, to initiate a process of allocation to activities, OASys (where available)/sentence planning as appropriate, and addressing offending behaviour in preparation for release. This is a multi-disciplinary process and the various assessments will be brought together.

Prisoners must be involved in the assessment and decision making process. This improves accuracy of assessment and a sense of responsibility for acting on decisions. Prisoners must not repeatedly be asked the same questions. Staff are expected to enter information on records – whether paper or electronic, eg. LIDS, OASys – and to check the prisoner’s records before interviewing them, wherever practicable.

7.2 Healthcare First receptions into custody will have undergone an initial health assessment to determine any immediate health needs before they were locked up for their first night. As a follow up to this, they must also be given a general health assessment in the week immediately following reception, by an appropriately trained member of the healthcare team, in order to identify any existing health problems and to plan any subsequent care/treatment.

The needs of drug and/or alcohol misusers may be acute at this time, and effective prescribing will be necessary to prevent or mitigate withdrawal symptoms.

Prisoners who have transferred in from another establishment may also require a follow up assessment to the one they had on initial reception.

7.2 Individual needs Staff responsible for prisoner induction must be alert to the individual/particular needs that prisoners might have which have not already been picked up via the healthcare and reception process. It may be necessary to seek assessment of individual requirements from outside agencies, such as voluntary support groups or the local Primary Care Trust.

7.3 CARATs There must be an opportunity on induction, if there was not on reception, to give advice and information on how referral to the CARAT services works, and what arrangements the establishment has for prisoners who want to remain drug free and are willing to sign a compact agreeing to voluntary testing. Advice on CARATs must include brief information on rehabilitation programmes and therapeutic communities, including eligibility and access.

It is good practice for this to be provided by the CARAT workers themselves, if available. Harm minimisation advice will also be provided.

7.4 Learning and Skills

If a prisoner enters the system for the first time, a needs assessment must be carried out. If the prisoner has transferred from another establishment or from probation, the Individual Learning Plan (ILP) must be consulted. Attendance on education programmes must be planned as a result of the needs assessment or ILP and must be part of an integrated programme of regime activities. The prisoner must be made aware of the appropriate vocational skills and basic skills training available.

Where a prisoner is assessed as being at or below level 1 for basic skills, priority must be given to him/her gaining qualifications at entry level, level 1 or level 2, as appropriate, and embedded in vocational skills as far as possible. If the Education Assessor thinks it is appropriate, the Dyslexia Positive Indicators Questionnaire can be undertaken as an initial screening for Dyslexia, and as part of the induction process.

7.5 Physical Education (PE) The appropriate guidance must be followed, as stated in PSO 4250, before prisoners attend Physical Education

7.6 Employment/vocational training Assessment of the employment skills, experience, abilities and needs of prisoners must take place before work allocation. This assessment must include an assessment of level of Basic Skills. Aptitude testing may be available. In establishments with a Jobcentre Plus Adviser each prisoner will have a ‘one to one’ interview during induction to ensure that any benefit claims are actioned appropriately and outstanding monies paid. The Adviser will also take action to secure employment where appropriate and provide a ‘signposting’ role in relation to accommodation issues.

Employment in prison work areas must not prevent participation in Learning & Skills activities identified as necessary for a prisoner. In particular, prisoners must not be engaged in work where their literacy and/or numeracy ability would detract from their own health and safety or that of others. As part of induction, it will therefore be necessary for the learning & skills needs of prisoners to be identified and planned for before other work is considered. Employment in work areas must take into account the skills, knowledge and experience of prisoners and their development as part of the resettlement agenda.

7.7 Religion/Faith All prisoners will be offered a private interview with a member of the Chaplaincy Team within the first few days following reception. One of the aims of this interview is to ascertain the prisoner’s religion and assess their religious needs and to offer/discuss appropriate religious/faith/spiritual support.

7.8 Resettlement Induction must involve an assessment of resettlement needs, in particular:  maintaining/securing accommodation for release  employment on release  maintaining/re-establishing family ties.

Establishments must identify prisoners’ housing status, including whether, as owner or tenant, that status is vulnerable, and must ensure that prisoners in this position have access to appropriate advice that may enable them to secure or transfer the ownership or tenancy. See PSO 2300 Resettlement for further details. Every effort must be made to ensure that rent arrears do not accrue, and that arrangements are made to ‘pay off’ pre-existing rent arrears. A new initial housing needs assessment tool has now been piloted and will be rolled out for use in all establishments from early 2005.

7.9 Risk of escaping/absconding Staff must continually observe and assess the risk of prisoners escaping/ absconding, and consult the Security Department where necessary.

Back to PSO 0550 contents SECTION 8 - THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING OF INDUCTION

8.1 Staff working on prisoner induction It is the role of dedicated induction staff to facilitate induction, but all other staff have a role to play in helping prisoners integrate into the establishment. It is important that staff have the right knowledge and skills to assist prisoners through the induction process and the aptitude to be involved in this key time in a prisoner’s sentence. Therefore experienced staff are best deployed here. It is good practice to advertise for volunteers to work on induction and where possible to train them in advance.

8.2 Management of Induction Governors will consider how best to manage the reception, first night, and induction stages of custody to ensure prisoners progress through them as smoothly as possible.

8.3 Governors’ responsibilities Governors must:  Take measures to ensure continuity of staff and consistency in the delivery of induction  Be aware of the training needs of staff and make arrangements to meet them  Ensure that induction is integrated with the rest of the establishment, including local Suicide Prevention and self-harm strategies and the establishment’s Violence Reduction Strategy  Tailor the induction process to deal with the numbers and type of prisoners requiring it  Ensure regular updating of induction programmes  Take measures to ensure the commitment of specialist departments in contributing to induction and that this is reflected in contracts and service level agreements  Check the quality and effectiveness of induction  Ensure that the induction process is carried out with full regard to the diverse backgrounds and needs of all  Ensure induction is reviewed at least once a year, normally by the Resettlement Policy Committee

8.4 Evaluation Induction must be evaluated regularly in order to ensure that the programme is running efficiently and effectively and is achieving its aims. Establishments must have in place procedures for getting feedback from prisoners on induction. Benefits and methods of evaluation are set out in the supporting guidance.

8.5 Location The decision on where to locate the formal induction process is for local management. The accommodation must be suitable for its purpose and include ancillary facilities. It is recommended that, if possible, a discrete induction unit is used.

8.6 Standard of accommodation The rooms used for the induction process must be suitable for the purpose and:  be well maintained with a good standard of decoration  be kept clean and tidy  be well lit  have a temperature conducive to learning  have furniture suitable for the purpose and kept in good repair.

Consideration needs to be given to physical accessibility, especially for mobility impaired people. It may also be helpful to use the relevant parts of the prison, eg the gym, within that part of the induction process. Back to PSO 0550 contents Adrian Wight February 2005 Prisoner Induction Guidance Document

(for use with PSO 0550) PSO 0550 Page 1

Prisoner Induction Guidance

Introduction

This document should be read in conjunction with PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction and is the supporting guidance for the PSO. It includes good practice, however many of the themes of induction relate to safety and ethos and the Safer Induction Toolkit is therefore a primary source of induction good practice. The chapters follow the sections in the PSO.

CONTENTS

1 Definition of Induction 2 Transition from Reception 3 Ensuring safety and provision for the first night 4 Needs Based induction 5 The Induction Process 6 Information Needs 7 The Assessment Process 8 The Management and Staffing of Induction

Annex A - Good Practice

Link to PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction

Issue No. 232 Issue date 18/05/05 PSO 0550 Page 2

Chapter 1 Definition of Induction

DEFINITION, SCOPE, LEGAL AND MORAL OBLIGATIONS

Overview and key aims

Induction should help to integrate the prisoner into the life of the establishment. This is partly fulfilled through the other aims of dealing with the immediate needs of the prisoner, providing information and continuing the assessment process.

Making the Order more widely available could be a step towards more involvement. Additional copies should be made available to staff in induction.

Prison Rule 5 says that, “From the beginning of a prisoner’s sentence, consideration shall be given, in consultation with the appropriate after-care organisation, to the prisoner’s future and the assistance to be given him on and after his release”, and YOI Rule 3(1) says that, “The aim of a young offender institution shall be to help offenders to prepare for their return to the outside community”. Preparation for release needs to begin, as far as possible, during induction although in some cases this will be a long-term process. Back to Guidance Contents Back to PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction

Chapter 2 Transition from Reception

TRANSITION, ENSURING THE IMMEDIATE WELL-BEING OF THE PRISONER, PRISONER COMMUNICATION NEEDS, LATE ARRIVALS, PRISONERS FEELING ANXIOUS, PRISONERS AT RISK OF SELF-HARM/SUICIDE, SEGREGATION, TIMING OF THE INDUCTION PERIOD, ROLE OF OTHER PRISONERS, TRANSFER TO THE UNIT/WING, INTEGRATION

Transition

Induction needs to build on the reception process. Good communications between reception and induction staff are essential in order to ensure a smooth transition.

Governors should ensure that effective communication systems operate between reception and induction so that any relevant information is passed on.

Reception staff will need to prioritise and ensure effective communication with induction staff about any outstanding needs of prisoners that could not be dealt with during the reception process.

There should also be systems in place to provide relevant information about new prisoners to other departments within the prison.

A suitable communication system would be a formal handover procedure from reception to induction that avoids any part of the reception process being duplicated or missed. For example, the use of a form including an individual checklist for each prisoner to show which processes have been completed in reception might assist. If a significant length of time passes between the completion of reception procedures and the start of the formal induction programme, any information collected during this time needs to be added to the form. It could be signed by both reception and induction officers to signify that there is full understanding of the entries made. This form could include:

 specific needs identified  any action taken  any concerns.

If a more detailed form is required, it could also include:

 length of sentence  location within prison  whether or not this is the first time in prison  first language and any other communication needs  accommodation and employment status on reception.

Immediate Well-being

The immediate needs of prisoners will vary according to their status - for instance, an unconvicted prisoner will be very likely to require immediate help with dealing with family responsibilities, but may also need urgent assistance with legal matters and with preserving outside accommodation and employment.

Induction provides a chance to follow up concerns identified on reception. Typical immediate concerns will be about commitments outside prison, such as the care of children or elderly relatives or pets, personal or financial matters, including securing an existing tenancy and domestic possessions. However, issues relating to life inside prison - for example, the physical process of getting settled into new surroundings - may also call for an urgent response.

Staff should not make promises they cannot keep but it is potentially a great reassurance for a prisoner to know that they have been listened to and that help is available.

Prisoners on remand and those facing life sentences or who have just received a long sentence may be particularly vulnerable. Prisoners who may be at especially high risk include those in custody for the first time, those arriving following a change of status, those in custody for violent offences (especially against a close family member), those suffering mental illness, those who have previously attempted suicide and poly drug users

Up to 80% of prisoners have a serious drug problem on arrival. Therefore a key factor in ensuring well-being is assessment of drug treatment needs and the appropriate clinical support. Back to Guidance Contents Back to PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction

Chapter 3 Ensuring provision and safety for the first night

Provision should be made to:  identify a specific member of staff to provide assistance and information about how to contact a member of staff  explain the cell bell  communicate information about and facilitate access to Listeners/Buddies, Insiders and Samaritans.  allow for the presence of a Listener/Insider in reception where possible  give Information on accessing healthcare, shop, and chaplaincy.  give consideration to the prisoner’s language, faith and dietary needs  provide information that the prisoner needs to know in the first 24 hours, including what will happen within the first 24 hours (explained orally as well as staff providing information in written or other formats). (Audit findings suggest that unacceptably 40% of establishments are not providing this information)  provide toiletries  provide reading/writing materials  provide a Reception Pack (see PSO 0500 paragraph 7.7), which could include: hygiene packs for women, a radio on loan, tea, pin phone credit and tobacco for smokers (aged over 16). Back to Guidance Contents Back to PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction

Chapter 4 Needs based induction

NEEDS BASED INDUCTION, INFORMATION AND ADVICE, FLEXIBILITY, INDUCTION IS FOR ALL, PRISONERS NEW TO CUSTODY, UNCONVICTED PRISONERS, PRISONERS CHANGING STATUS, PRISONERS TRANSFERRED FROM ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT, PRISONERS RETURNING AFTER RECENT RELEASE FROM CUSTODY, ELDERLY AND DISABLED PRISONERS, YOUNG OFFENDERS, WOMEN, LIFE SENTENCES, FOREIGN NATIONALS

Tailoring Induction

A possible model is a core induction process, with a facility for adding other modules according to the needs of the prisoners going through induction at a particular time, for example, a common foundation day followed by different programmes for prisoners with different needs.

Some prisoners may need a comprehensive induction process; others with previous custodial experience may only need to cover parts of the induction programme. It should not be assumed that prisoners who have been in custody before will not benefit from induction.

Many prisoners will struggle to take in large amounts of information in the very early period and staff will ensure that key messages are communicated, that the prisoner’s immediate concerns are addressed, and that the opportunity is found later to complete a full induction

Induction enables the prison to help the prisoner adjust to what may be a very different regime from the one to which they are used. For example, prisoners moving from a closed to an open prison may need assistance and time to adjust to open conditions. This may require a fuller integration process within the prison rather than in a discrete induction area. Induction helps to shape the prisoner’s expectations and allows time for him/her to settle in.

The length of time that prisoners participate in the induction process will vary between prisons. It may be appropriate to introduce a rolling programme or a modular programme so that new receptions do not have to wait long to join the formal induction process, but can slot into it immediately. A balance should be struck between providing key information and setting expectations whilst allowing prisoners time to settle and being aware that a bombardment of information can be counterproductive.

It is good practice to engage with the local PCT or mental health in-reach team to develop induction arrangements for prisoners with mental health issues.

If there is unavoidable waiting around during the induction process, videos, board games, books and magazines may help to keep prisoners occupied and feel settled. It may be unhelpful to remove diversionary activities such as these, or in cell TVs and radios, as punishment.

Sentenced prisoners who are new to custody will usually require the most thorough induction process, and civil prisoners should be told of their rights and privileges under Prison Rule 7 (3). Prisoners who are convicted but not yet sentenced should be informed that they will be required to participate fully in the prison regime.

The immediate needs of prisoners will vary according to their status - for instance, an unconvicted prisoner will be very likely to require immediate help with dealing with family responsibilities, but may also need urgent assistance with legal matters and with preserving outside accommodation and employment. Prisoners may be concerned about their need to:

 Preserve accommodation, including ensuring that any housing benefit entitlement continues; tenancy arrangements are appropriate; and that other financial advice is available  Preserve employment  Maintain contact with relatives and friends, and make suitable care arrangements for children and other dependents  Obtain help with personal problems  Receive health care appropriate to their needs, together with opportunities for education, religious observance, exercise and, where possible, training and work

Consideration should be given to the time differences involved when arrangements are made for prisoners to make calls to relatives and friends in other countries.

Short sentenced prisoners

For these prisoners, induction should be primarily about preparing for release, for example, assessing needs in relation to accommodation and employment and providing information about sources of assistance.

Information about eligibility for Home Detention Curfew and probation supervision may also be relevant

Lifers

Significant anniversaries are of particular importance to this group. Staff will ensure they are aware of these. For example crimes, birthdays, or re-interest in the case by the press etc.

Sex Offenders

Some prisons include additional/specific elements in induction for sex offenders to help them begin to address their offending behaviour

Un-convicted Prisoners

Specialist advice for un-convicted prisoners will include help to:  seek release on bail (see PSO 6100 and 6101on the Bail System)  prepare for trial (see PSO 2605 )  pursue legitimate business and social interests.

The geography of the estate means that women are likely to be held further away from home and to have had a longer journey from court, hence reception may have left some urgent needs unaddressed.  Women are often primary carers. The establishment may have a family support worker; if so, their role will be explained during induction.  Women with children under 18 months may be eligible for a place on a Mother and Baby Unit. PSO 4801 defines the procedures for identifying eligibility, and for providing women with the information they need about this.  Problems relating to drugs and alcohol are frequent, particularly severe, and need careful assessment and care planning.  Pregnancy issues - identifying women who are pregnant and will therefore need specific attention.  Maintaining privacy and decency due to the possibility of their having experienced physical or sexual abuse. This is not unique to women, but more commonplace.  The establishment may have a family support worker

For further information please see Chapter 5 of the Lifer manual for information for women lifers and the revised PSO 2700 will have a dedicated chapter on women which will include a section on induction needs.

Disabled Prisoners

It is unlawful under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to treat disabled people less favourably for a reason related to their disability, therefore it is important to ensure that all prisoners with disabilities have access to the Induction process and that their future requirements are considered during this process. It is also important that the process is fully explained to those prisoners with dyslexia or learning difficulties who might experience difficulty in comprehending any written guidance. Back to Guidance Contents Back to PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction

Chapter 5 the Induction Process

CORE COMPONENTS, TIMETABLE OF INDUCTION, DEALING WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS, FAMILIES AND CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD

Examples of issues likely to be of concern to prisoners include:

 domestic responsibilities, relating to e.g. family, property, accommodation and employment  legal problems, e.g. the trial, legal aid, bail, appeals, fines, etc  personal difficulties, e.g. disability, language problems, medical issues (medication, drugs)  reaction to custody, e.g. anxiety, stress.  any healthcare needs not addressed on reception

A key element of induction staff’s work is to provide care and support to new prisoners, including opportunities to discuss their concerns confidentially. Staff will observe prisoners carefully for any signs of risk of suicide/self-harm, and take appropriate action.

Induction provides an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle among prisoners and to boost their morale. Well informed staff can also encourage prisoners to discuss and address issues that will help to maintain their mental health, including:  dealing with feelings of depression or anxiety

 keeping in touch with families and friends  exercising and keeping active  overcoming boredom and frustration by participating in activities.

The World Health Organisation document “Mental Health Promotion in Prisons” (1998) provides useful guidelines on mental health issues as well as a checklist on mental health promotion in prisons. Promoting health provides a good opportunity to involve healthcare staff or PE staff, who will be better trained in these issues, in the induction process.

A key resource in health promotion is staff who are well-informed, rather than materials, although materials can provide a way into discussing issues such as mental health.

Promoting mental health involves promoting the mental well-being of the whole prison population not just helping to detect/prevent mental illness. Diagnosis of mental illness remains the responsibility of the relevant experts. Prison staff may notice indications of mental illness which they should bring to the attention of healthcare staff.

It may be useful for prisoners to have a check-list/timetable of what will be covered during induction so that they can tick off completed topics and understand the overall picture of the information being provided. A tour of the establishment may be appropriate in some establishments.

The prison may want to offer the prisoner a compact during the induction process which sets out the establishment’s expectations of the prisoner and the facilities available if the compact is agreed. This may include signing an agreement to the race relations strategy and the violence reduction strategy to emphasise the importance of these issues. See chapter 5 of PSO 4000 “Incentives and Earned Privileges, Earned Community Visits and Compacts”.

As well as providing information about what is offered in the education department and elsewhere, it may be possible to provide “taster” classes as part of induction

Employment it is good practice to hold a specific induction session on available employment, including the rules and regulations, the process of allocation, health and safety, discipline, earnings, qualifications available, some first aid and hygiene. This is more realistic if it takes place in a workshop or other employment area. Unconvicted and civil prisoners may be included in this, although it should be made clear that they do not have to work unless they wish. The value of NVQ qualifications for future employment prospects will be emphasised during induction

Transition and Integration

Other prisoners, if carefully selected and supervised, may be able to assist in settling the prisoner into the life of the establishment by contributing to the induction process. Prisoners may be able to assist in providing information, talking to newcomers, showing newcomers to the wing, providing support as Listeners, Insiders or Buddies during reception and induction (and beyond) and contributing to the design of leaflets/posters.

Induction has to aid the transfer from induction to the unit/wing. An aim of induction is to facilitate a smooth transition for the prisoner from entering custody to a normal prison routine. Prisoners may have anxieties about mixing with other prisoners, particularly on the wing.

For prisons with separate induction accommodation, prisoners can be prepared for integration by:  meeting wing/landing/unit staff such as their personal officer  being informed of wing routines and timetables.

For prisons without separate induction accommodation there is little or no time to prepare prisoners for the transition to the wing; induction staff need to ensure that wing/landing/unit staff have any

Issue No. 232 Issue date 18/05/05 PSO 0550 Page 8 necessary information about the prisoner to help them settle in during the first few weeks. Even if there is not a separate unit the end of induction will involve changing routines, for example, the prisoner may go to work rather than the induction unit if s/he is already located on a wing.

Induction is just the start of the process of integrating into the life of the establishment and it is important that staff follow through what has started during induction.

Establishments will vary in how they facilitate the transition to the wing, but the following may help:  a ‘Buddy’ system on the wing  The Samaritans  a mentoring system - careful selection required.

Back to Guidance Contents Back to PSO 0550 Prisoner Induction

Chapter 6 Information Needs

APPROPRIATE INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATING IT, PROVIDING INFORMATION, LOCAL MATERIALS, PRISONER INFORMATION BOOKS, RULES INFORMATION, PRISON LIFE, SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE, FORMAL PROCEDURES, OPPORTUNITIES - INCLUDING PREPARING FOR RELEASE

Information to provide

 Prison Rules (and YOI Rules)  Applications  Independent Monitoring Board  Requests and Complaints  Prisons and Probation Ombudsman  Incentives and Earned Privileges  Pay and private cash  Adjudications  Property and volumetric control  Clothing  Facilities list  Searching  Access to healthcare  Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT)  Racist Incident complaint form.  Maintaining community contacts (family, employers, and others)  Chaiplaincy/Faith needs

Information on the following may be relevant, depending on the needs of the prisoner:

 Offending Behaviour Programmes (OBPs) - information about the programmes run in the establishment and about the assessment process for selecting prisoners for OBPs  opportunities at other establishments  therapeutic communities within the establishment or access elsewhere.  Drug treatment programmes and services, including CARATs and Criminal Justice Intervention Programmes  Self-harm groups where available  Surgeries run by Job Centre Plus relating to employment and benefits

Methods of Communication

 information leaflets which are up to date and clearly presented  information displays and posters  group work  one-to-one sessions  presentations  handouts in sessions  audio tapes and videos which are up-to-date  question and answer sessions  questionnaires used to check prisoners’ understanding  photo board of relevant staff on prominent display in induction areas.

As far as possible, establishments will have in place arrangements to convey information to prisoners who have difficulty communicating in English. These may include providing translations of the Prisoners’ Information Book or other written sources of information, or making use of interpreters (eg Language Line). Prisoners who are unable to read will be given information orally. Sign language

Issue No. 232 Issue date 18/05/05 PSO 0550 Page 10 interpreters may be needed. . A new comprehensive document – the Foreign National Prisoners’ Resource Pack – is available. Hard copies for staff and prisoners are available in English and versions in twenty two languages are available on the Prison Service Intranet .

Language Line provides interpreting services, which can be used to resolve issues particular to foreign nationals.

Sources of assistance

Sources of assistance that may be covered include:

 wing officer  seconded probation officer  Legal Aid Officers and Bail Information Officers  debt advice  Lifer Manager  counsellors (where available)  voluntary organisations working in the prison; what they do; and how to get access  outside agencies who may be able to assist and how to contact them, including those for foreign nationals.  Chaiplaincy team

Prisoners’ Information Books

. There are four books:

 Prisoners’ Information Book for life sentenced prisoners - “lifers”  Prisoners’ Information Book for male prisoners and young offenders  Prisoners’ Information Book for women prisoners and female young offenders  Prisoners’ Information Book about visiting and keeping in touch.

Arrangements must be made for prisoners to be able to easily borrow the books and reference copies must be held on each wing, houseblock or residential unit as well as in the prison library. Where supplies allow, it may be possible for prisoners to have their own copy. The lifers book must be given to every life sentenced prisoner. Further information about the Prisoners’ Information Books is in PSO 0400.

The current editions of the Prisoners’ Information Books will not be updated, pending the outcome of a Prison Reform Trust research study into prisoner information needs. In the meantime, significant policy changes affecting prisoners will need to be promulgated by a brief ‘prisoner information update’ on the Intranet. PSO 0400 will be revised to outline these interim arrangements.

There is also an information book for disabled prisoners. DLOs were sent a supply of these in June 2004 and additional copies of this are available from Paul Norman in PAG.

Pre-Reception Information

Handouts for family and friends and compact versions of induction information could be made available to local courts so that there is an opportunity to convey key information and alleviate anxiety before arrival in prison. For more information on this contact SCG.

Chapter 7 the Assessment Process

GENERAL ASSESSMENTS, HEALTHCARE, INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, CARAT/SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EDUCATION, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT/VOCATIONAL TRAINING, RELIGION/FAITH, RESETTLEMENT, RISK OF ESCAPING/ABSCONDING,

Assessment for short term prisoners

At present there is no standard needs assessment process or form for short term prisoners. Local initiative is generating a number of different approaches, though with some common elements. They include the IT-based Prisoner Passport developed in Kent and Surrey & Sussex Areas and by the female prisons, which has been incorporated in the Prison Service Plus resettlement programme. These approaches should be co-ordinated with OASys development and the Custody to Work Unit will maintain an overview of this work, in conjunction with the What Works In Prison Unit and others

This assessment may be carried out by a housing officer, if there is one working in the establishment, probation officer, staff involved in pre-release courses or other specialist. It will be carried out as soon as possible after reception so that accommodation and employment issues can be dealt with swiftly. Assistance with resettlement needs will be more pressing, although not exclusively, for short-term prisoners.

Resettlement

More information on resettlement can be found on the Custody to Work Intranet site. The C2W Practice Framework Document is available there, and contains examples of good practice from across the estate, including some which deal with work on induction, with short-term prisoners, and with Prisoner Led/Prisoner Involved Schemes.

It is crucial to assess housing need on first reception as closing down tenancies properly can avoid the accrual of rent arrears and improve the likelihood of an offender being able to access accommodation on release. A new initial housing needs assessment tool has now been piloted and will be rolled out for use in all establishments from early 2005.

Chapter 8 The Management and Staffing of Induction

STAFF WORKING ON THE INDUCTION UNIT, MANAGEMENT OF INDUCTION, GOVERNORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES, EVALUATION, LOCATION, STANDARD OF ACCOMMODATION

Skills

Staff working on the induction process need:

 interviewing skills  presentational skills  listening skills  assessment skills, including discernment (the ability to identify problems not admitted by prisoner, especially those prisoners undergoing drug withdrawal/detox)  the ability to manage the induction programme, including the practicalities and preparation  the ability to foster positive relationships with prisoners in a short time.

Knowledge

Staff working on induction need:

 good local knowledge about how the establishment works  knowledge about the usual immediate concerns of prisoners and understanding of what prisoners could be going through  knowledge about core prison policies; the race relations policy, violence reduction strategy and suicidal prevention strategy will be particularly relevant  knowledge of resources/sources of assistance available  knowledge of the different needs of different categories of prisoners.

Training for staff delivering induction

Relevant training for induction staff includes:

 training in the content and process of induction (which may be “on the job” training) - form filling, completing check-lists, evaluation forms  presentation skills  interviewing skills  assessment skills  core training for prison staff in relation to key areas such as: i. Racial awareness ii. religious awareness iii. equal opportunities iv. self-harm and suicidal behaviour.

Environment

The advantages of a discrete induction unit include:

 new prisoners receive information primarily from staff rather than other prisoners  New prisoners have a greater sense of group identity  greater stability for prisoners, especially at locals where the risk of self-harm and suicide is highest in the early days  less likelihood of prisoners being missed out of the induction process  greater continuity and consistency from a dedicated staff team  an experienced, dedicated staff team in regular contact with new receptions is more able to recognise early signs of distress.

Photos of key people, such as governors, wing officers and members of the Independent Monitoring Board, and of appropriate parts of the establishment, displayed in the induction unit, may help the prisoner to feel more familiar with new surroundings.

Management

It may be possible to rotate staff working on reception and induction so that they work together better and to prevent staff from becoming stale by delivering the same information all the time. Alternatively, reception and induction staff may be able to shadow each other’s jobs to gain experience.

Evaluation

Evaluation can be used:  to review, amend and update the induction process

 to ensure cohesion with other linked local policies and protocols, and continuity of care.  to provide knowledge about an individual prisoner’s participation in and understanding of induction which can be passed on to their wing and used for sentence planning  to provide information on the uptake of various courses and facilities to aid planning for the future.  To link in to establishment and area resettlement strategies.

Methods of evaluation

There are many ways to approach evaluation including:  feedback or questionnaire at the end of the session/process  a questionnaire both before and after the induction process to indicate the level of knowledge and understanding gained. This will also help the establishment to understand the level of knowledge the prisoners are starting from  a questionnaire a few weeks after the prisoner has completed the induction process to assess which information provided during induction has proved to be most useful in the first few weeks. This could include asking prisoners which topics were the most and least useful, why and whether anything was missing.

Oral feedback needs to be noted down so that written records can be retained for future analysis.

Adrian Wight February 2005

ANNEX A - Good practice

Several establishments provided examples of the way in which they undertake induction to the review of the PSO. These are included in this annex by way of good practice.

Further examples of good practice in induction can be found within the Safer Induction Toolkit. See also the SCG Intranet Forum and PSO 2700 (due to be revised later in 2005 to include links to comprehensive guidance).

Birmingham

Hold internal selection boards to chose staff to work on the First Night/Induction Unit and they should meet the core criteria. No staff are simply detailed to work in the induction unit. The current staff group are given internal training in suicide prevention and drug misuse.

A first night local interview for prisoners takes place, which is reviewed the following morning. This is a locally produced document, which encourages staff to ask questions, which are not included in the cell sharing risk assessment. Officers are able to identify prisoners who may be at risk because of the ‘cause for concern’ answers – these appear on the right hand side of the form.

Prisoners are issued with a ‘welcome pack’ containing toiletries, tobacco, telephone credits and a hot chocolate drink. All prisoners are also given a free phone call. If staff feel a particular prisoner need extra attention, this will also be put into place.

Listeners and Insiders live on the First Night Centre (FNC) where the induction programme is completed including a range of disciplines and agencies. The CARAT team are based in the same area to offer additional support. The substance misuse team work very closely with the FNC and CARAT team to deal with those prisoner who are withdrawing from drugs.

Foreign national prisoner are identified and managed during the induction programme.

Prisoners who are located in the health care department are initially assessed to gauge their suitability to understand the induction process. These prisoners will return to the FNC to complete their induction. Prisoners who are held on the vulnerable wing or detox unit will have their induction programme completed by their unit staff.

A well man health care induction is currently being setting up which will take place the day after reception.

Main points are:  Staff should be selected to work in this field  Training is essential in the key skills/subjects  Flexibility of shift times is important  Joint working with other areas of the establishment  Constant review of procedures and standards

Full Sutton

 When a prisoner arrives, induction staff are given a briefing by the unit manager, the briefings consists of a précis of the prisoner, his general health, self harm history, drug/alcohol history, adjudication history and any other relevant information.  The prisoners resettlement needs are fed into the initial sentence plan.  If, like Full Sutton, the unit is separate from the wings then the prisoner should meet his personal officer prior to arrival on his 'new' wing.

 The prisoner should have association on the 'new' wing prior to the permanent move onto the wing. This allows for a smooth transition and is also useful for assessing any potential problems prior to the move.  All relevant information should be given to the receiving wing prior to the move. This allows for a staff briefing prior to the move as per the first bullet point.

Low Newton

 There is an Insider peer support scheme in operation in reception and the induction unit. Prisoners work on a rota system wearing a uniform (standard grey prison issue tracksuit bottoms and maroon t shirts/polo shirts) to ensure they “stand out” to newly received prisoners. They also work as wing cleaners and take part in first day induction sessions helping staff to deliver information.  Reception interviews (boards) are conducted by a Senior Officer (from the residential group encompassing reception and the induction unit) on the night of the prisoner’s arrival. This enables immediate concerns and fears to be addressed and prisoners seem to be reassured to be able to speak to someone “senior”. The only exceptions are if prisoners arrive after 2000hrs (rarely) they will be interviewed the following morning (including weekends).  The induction unit features a state-of-the-art Touch Screen display unit which presents information to prisoners in written and audible format in a choice of four languages including English. An accompanying brochure is also issued in reception which contains all the information in a handy size booklet which the prisoner can keep to read any any time. The touch screen unit is accessible at any time the prisoners are unlocked.  A two-tier induction system operates where all prisoners receive a basic first day induction but can then progress to a 5 day “rolling” programme which is very comprehensive. “Modular” induction sessions are also offered to specific groups of prisoners to meet their individual needs eg Lifers and potential Lifers, Foreign Nationals and those who may qualify for offending behaviour courses such as the Fire Setters course, P-ASRO etc.  Prisoners are asked in reception if they would like help to address drug issues and are referred to CARATS by reception staff to be interviewed the day after their arrival.  Following induction prisoners attend the Pit Stop (Prisoners Into Training) for 2.5 days to be trained in basic first aid, handling and lifting, food hygiene etc, before being allocated into a job. This will ideally though not always be their choice of job based on interviews conducted during the induction process and Pit Stop. During their time in Pit Stop they will also agree an individual Learning And Training Plan which will follow them throughout their sentence to guide and prepare for release.  All prisoners (not only YOIs/remand 17yr olds) are routinely offered a 2 minute telephone call in reception and are offered a pin phone account containing £2 of credit. If they have no money on reception they are loaned the money to buy the pin phone account and also have a choice of a smokers’ or non-smokers’ pack. All prisoners are given a prepaid first class reception letter and a pen whilst in reception.  A system is in place to obtain feedback on the induction programme from all prisoners, this information is forwarded to the psychology department and it is collated and presented at the quarterly resettlement policy committee meeting. The information will be evaluated on an ongoing basis and reviewed as necessary (at least once per year).  Anti-Bullying and Suicide Prevention is given top priority on the induction programme and as such it is allocated a full day on the five day programme. This recognises the elevated risk of suicide/self harm that new prisoners face; staff receive local induction training and suicide awareness training to monitor this.  The induction process is flexible and responsive to individuals’ needs. Generally if a prisoner is a first time in custody prisoner, they will be given full induction. Those who have been “out” of prison for more than 6 months will also be offered full induction. However any prisoner who has been out for less than that, or transfer in prisoners who

Issue No. 232 Issue date 18/05/05 PSO 0550 Page 16 may have already served some time, will also be offered full induction if the prisoner and SO feels it would be beneficial.  Prisoners are seen by a doctor on the night of their arrival (again if they are not late where they would be seen the following morning) which helps reassure them that any detox prescribed can commence as soon as possible.

Manchester

 Have a special Triple A centre on induction for Foreign Nationals and Disability issues.  Deliver induction in classroom settings which is interactive and helpful to first timers.  A first night booklet is used to interview and assess the immediate needs of prisoners.

Issue No. 232 Issue date 18/05/05