HM Prison and Probation Service
Central Government
Action Taken
HMP Garth issued a staff information notice promoting the Safety Learning Reference Library, and a Governor’s order reiterating ACCT processes. A priority keywork model is in place with a minimum of one keywork session per month for vulnerable prisoners. (AI summary)
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Dear Mr Long,
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 6 November 2025 following the inquest into the death of Aaron Taylor at HMP Garth on 28 August 2023. I am responding on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) as the interim Director General of Operations.
I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Taylor’s family, and I would first like to express my condolences for their loss. Every death in custody is a tragedy and the safety of those in our care is my absolute priority.
You have expressed concerns regarding the level of Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) training provided to staff and the provision of keyworker sessions to prisoners in need of support.
I would like to assure you that HMPPS is committed to providing prison officers with the right support, training and tools to do their jobs. All new entry officers receive a full day of training on suicide and self-harm prevention during their prison officer training. This training includes modules on the ACCT process as well as understanding and managing changes to risks, triggers and protective factors. Following completion of the prison officer training, new entry officers also have a two week local induction before becoming fully operational. In addition to the classroom training, there is an online Safety Learning Reference Library holding various guidance, templates and training material that is accessible to all staff via the HMPPS intranet. The library includes an area dedicated to ACCT which staff can access at any time.
At HMP Garth a staff information notice has been issued promoting the Safety Learning Reference Library, and a Governor’s order was issued to all staff in October 2025 reiterating the process on when and how an ACCT should be opened and by whom, and on how the ACCT record should be completed.
In line with HMP Garth’s current regime management plan a priority keywork model is in place, ensuring that any prisoner who has been identified as vulnerable is prioritised. A staff information notice was issued in November 2025 advising staff that a minimum of one keywork session per month is expected for all prisoners who have been identified as a priority, and this includes those who are on an ACCT. In addition to these priority sessions, staff continue to provide keywork sessions for other prisoners wherever resources allow. Keywork progress is tracked through the weekly performance meeting.
I hope the measures outlined above provide you with reassurance that the matters of concern that you identified arising from the circumstances of Mr Taylor’s death have been addressed.
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 6 November 2025 following the inquest into the death of Aaron Taylor at HMP Garth on 28 August 2023. I am responding on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) as the interim Director General of Operations.
I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Taylor’s family, and I would first like to express my condolences for their loss. Every death in custody is a tragedy and the safety of those in our care is my absolute priority.
You have expressed concerns regarding the level of Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) training provided to staff and the provision of keyworker sessions to prisoners in need of support.
I would like to assure you that HMPPS is committed to providing prison officers with the right support, training and tools to do their jobs. All new entry officers receive a full day of training on suicide and self-harm prevention during their prison officer training. This training includes modules on the ACCT process as well as understanding and managing changes to risks, triggers and protective factors. Following completion of the prison officer training, new entry officers also have a two week local induction before becoming fully operational. In addition to the classroom training, there is an online Safety Learning Reference Library holding various guidance, templates and training material that is accessible to all staff via the HMPPS intranet. The library includes an area dedicated to ACCT which staff can access at any time.
At HMP Garth a staff information notice has been issued promoting the Safety Learning Reference Library, and a Governor’s order was issued to all staff in October 2025 reiterating the process on when and how an ACCT should be opened and by whom, and on how the ACCT record should be completed.
In line with HMP Garth’s current regime management plan a priority keywork model is in place, ensuring that any prisoner who has been identified as vulnerable is prioritised. A staff information notice was issued in November 2025 advising staff that a minimum of one keywork session per month is expected for all prisoners who have been identified as a priority, and this includes those who are on an ACCT. In addition to these priority sessions, staff continue to provide keywork sessions for other prisoners wherever resources allow. Keywork progress is tracked through the weekly performance meeting.
I hope the measures outlined above provide you with reassurance that the matters of concern that you identified arising from the circumstances of Mr Taylor’s death have been addressed.