HM Prison and Probation Service
Central Government
Action Taken
HMP Winchester shared and discussed the investigation report with relevant staff, and the Head of Safety will now routinely share reports and learning points. Recommendations are also used to produce national learning bulletins across the prison estate. (AI summary)
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Dear Ms Rhodes-Kemp,
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 8 August 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Justice. I am responding on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) as Director General of Operations.
I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Steadman’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 process for sharing findings and recommendations resulting from investigations into deaths in custody.
I have received assurances from the Governor at HMP Winchester that the investigation report into the death of Mr Steadman has now been shared and discussed with the relevant staff. Going forward, once an investigation report into the circumstances of a death in custody is received, the Head of Safety will identify the relevant members of staff and discuss the findings with them. This will include sharing the report, highlighting any areas of learning and ensuring that the member of staff understands the content. Additionally, any learning identified that concerns the prison more generally will be acted upon at an early stage, ensuring effective changes are made. This will include liaising with other agencies, such as the healthcare provider.
At a national level, all recommendations made following an investigation into a death in custody are considered by the national learning team and are used to produce learning bulletins that are shared across the wider prison estate.
Thank you again for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this response provides assurance that action is being taken to address this matter.
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 8 August 2024, addressed to the Ministry of Justice. I am responding on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) as Director General of Operations.
I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Steadman’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 process for sharing findings and recommendations resulting from investigations into deaths in custody.
I have received assurances from the Governor at HMP Winchester that the investigation report into the death of Mr Steadman has now been shared and discussed with the relevant staff. Going forward, once an investigation report into the circumstances of a death in custody is received, the Head of Safety will identify the relevant members of staff and discuss the findings with them. This will include sharing the report, highlighting any areas of learning and ensuring that the member of staff understands the content. Additionally, any learning identified that concerns the prison more generally will be acted upon at an early stage, ensuring effective changes are made. This will include liaising with other agencies, such as the healthcare provider.
At a national level, all recommendations made following an investigation into a death in custody are considered by the national learning team and are used to produce learning bulletins that are shared across the wider prison estate.
Thank you again for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this response provides assurance that action is being taken to address this matter.