Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Deferred
Paragraph: 53
Review mental health services specification for competent professional screening of prisoners
Recommendation
The NHS should review its mental health services specification so that mental health screening is always carried out by a competent mental health professional with experience of the criminal justice system.
Government Response Summary
The government's response details the support mechanisms available for HMPPS staff wellbeing, including access to therapies for trauma, reflective sessions, and a specialist 'Post Covid Syndrome' service. It does not address the recommendation for the NHS to review its mental health services specification for prisoner screening.
Paragraph Reference:
53
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
HMPPS is committed to listening to its staff to better understand how to improve their wellbeing and provide a fulfilling and safe workplace where they feel valued and supported. To promote positive wellbeing, HMPPS has robust mechanisms in place to ensure that it is delivering responsive and high-quality support to staff following traumatic incidents. This includes guidance for line managers detailing how to signpost staff to support and make occupational health referrals where staff can access cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy. These are specialist therapies to support individuals who have experienced occupational trauma. HMPPS recognises its duty of care and makes these therapies available to staff accordingly, ensuring rapid access once an assessment has taken place to aid their recovery so they can remain in work. All HMPPS staff, including prison officers, have access to ‘Reflective Sessions’ which aim to mitigate any potential negative impacts on their mental health due to the challenges of their roles. These sessions are routinely offered to senior prison managers and feedback shows that they have been positively received, as over 82% of all Governors and Deputy Governors have taken up the opportunity for a session. Managers within HMPPS can also access the Employee Assistance provider which is available 24 hours a day. This service can be accessed year-round via a helpline staffed by counsellors to provide confidential advice and support on any personal or work-related matters. Due to the ever-changing situation and emerging trends in poor mental health following Covid-19, the MoJ and HMPPS have now implemented a specialist ‘Post Covid Syndrome’ service. This provides employees who are suffering mental ill health symptoms from Long Covid with the opportunity to be referred into an eight-week functional restoration programme where they receive one-to-one rehabilitative support under the care of a mental health specialist.