Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Accepted
Paragraph: 51
Racial disparity exists in identifying mental health conditions during prisoner health screenings
Conclusion
It is unacceptable that one in 12 prisoners do not have a health screening appointment within 24 hours of arrival and that Black, Asian, and other Minority Ethnic prisoners who have a mental health condition are less likely to have that identified than their white counterparts.
Government Response Summary
HMPPS is committed to improving mental health identification and support by providing introductory training for new staff, refreshing safety training, and exploring enhanced mental health training. They are also commissioning a Core Capabilities Framework and developing bespoke learning products, including a specialised recruitment and training proposal for staff supporting vulnerable women.
Paragraph Reference:
51
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
HMPPS recognises that its staff, who interact with prisoners every day, are a vital part of creating an environment that supports good mental health for all prisoners. HMPPS is committed to ensuring that all staff receive an appropriate level of mental health training to equip them with the skills needed to not only better support the rehabilitation of prisoners with mental health issues, but also be able to identify and signpost them to appropriate healthcare services when necessary. HMPPS is delivering introductory mental health training to new staff as part of prison officer entry level training, as well as to existing staff, to embed mental health awareness and develop a better understanding of the mental health needs a prisoner may have. For staff supporting complex individuals including those identified as at risk of suicide and self-harm, HMPPS is currently refreshing its safety training package and as part of this plan, will explore the development of enhanced mental health training. In the Prisons Strategy White Paper, the MoJ has committed to go further and explore developing training for staff across prison and probation to better equip them to understand how the mental health and substance misuse needs of offenders, which often co-exist, may impact on their behaviour, and how to work with healthcare to mitigate these impacts. HMPPS has commissioned Skills for Justice/Health to lead the creation of a Core Capabilities Framework for Adult Health, Wellbeing & Care. The framework outlines the core capabilities required to work with adults who need health and social care interventions and support within the custodial setting and for those on probation. From January onwards, HMPPS will work with Skills for Justice to develop a range of bespoke learning products, tailored to the justice sector, that will complement the core capabilities framework outlined above. They will utilise learning materials already in development as well as create content designed for HMPPS. With self-harm rates in women’s prisons disproportionality high, and a higher level of mental health needs, the MoJ has further committed to a specialised recruitment and training proposal to equip staff to effectively support women who self-harm and those who have experienced domestic violence and sexual abuse.