Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Deferred
Paragraph: 116
Set out clear evaluation methods for the new ACCT process's success in reducing self-harm.
Recommendation
The increasing level of self-harm in the female estate over the last decade is alarming and while the number of self-inflicted deaths is low, even one death is one too many. We recognise that the MoJ and HMPPS are working to address self-harm levels across the female estate and welcome the ongoing work to improve the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process, and roll out the Offender Management in Custody Model. We note that the revised ACCT process is still relatively new, and there is not yet an evidence base to determine whether it will contribute to reduced levels of self-harm. The Ministry of Justice should set out how it intends to evaluate and measure the success of the new ACCT process in comparison to the previous version of the process.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government accepted the recommendation but responded by stating it concluded an internal review into the use of remand for own protection under the Bail Act 1976 and established a working group to implement reforms from the draft Mental Health Bill, addressing a different topic.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
116
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We accept this recommendation. MOJ and HMPPS have commissioned an internal review to consider the impact of ACCT v6, which includes the women’s estate. The review will specifically gather the views from women on how they perceive ACCT processes to affect their self-harming behaviour and how the ACCT process is being used by staff to ensure that the right level of support is in place to suit the needs of the individual. The findings of the review will be used to help further embed the revised version of ACCT.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗