HM Prison and Probation Services
Central Government
Action Planned
AI-generated response summary
• The Governor of HMP Wakefield ordered a review of the prison’s local policy regarding the issue of prison items and confirmed it includes risk assessment and blade checks upon return. • HMPPS conducted several pilots across the prison estate to test alternatives to current wet shave provision and control measures. • These pilots are due to conclude in spring 2023 and will be evaluated to inform recommendations on future shaving provision.
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Dear Mr McLoughlin,
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 21 October 2022, addressed to the Governor of HMP Wakefield and the Secretary of State for 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 Langdell’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.
Following evidence heard at the inquest, you expressed concerns regarding the provision of to prisoners. Thank you for bringing your concern to my attention.
You will be aware that HMPPS uses the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) case management approach to support people at risk of self-harm and suicide. ACCT is a tool that assists staff in providing multi-disciplinary care and support to individuals at risk of harm to themselves, in order to minimise that risk.
are issued to prisoners to enable personal hygiene and care in accordance with Prison Service Instruction 75/2011 Residential Services. Control measures are in place through the ACCT process to ensure reasonable management of these items where risks are raised.
During the inquest, you heard evidence that following Mr Langdell’s death, the Governor ordered a review of the prison’s local policy and confirmed that it sets out the action that must be taken when staff issue prison , which includes a risk assessment and staff ensuring they check that the blades are present when the razor is returned.
At a national level, we recognise the risks associated with the current
provision and are actively seeking to identify improvements to the current provision. Throughout this year we have conducted several pilots across the prison estate, testing alternatives to the current wet shave provision and control measures in establishments. These pilots are due to conclude in the spring of 2023, at which time they will be evaluated
to consider any concerns or issues which may have arisen and measured against the impact they have had on violence and self-harm. This evaluation will enable us to make informed recommendations on future shaving provision in prison establishments.
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.
Director General of Prisons
Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 21 October 2022, addressed to the Governor of HMP Wakefield and the Secretary of State for 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 Langdell’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.
Following evidence heard at the inquest, you expressed concerns regarding the provision of to prisoners. Thank you for bringing your concern to my attention.
You will be aware that HMPPS uses the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) case management approach to support people at risk of self-harm and suicide. ACCT is a tool that assists staff in providing multi-disciplinary care and support to individuals at risk of harm to themselves, in order to minimise that risk.
are issued to prisoners to enable personal hygiene and care in accordance with Prison Service Instruction 75/2011 Residential Services. Control measures are in place through the ACCT process to ensure reasonable management of these items where risks are raised.
During the inquest, you heard evidence that following Mr Langdell’s death, the Governor ordered a review of the prison’s local policy and confirmed that it sets out the action that must be taken when staff issue prison , which includes a risk assessment and staff ensuring they check that the blades are present when the razor is returned.
At a national level, we recognise the risks associated with the current
provision and are actively seeking to identify improvements to the current provision. Throughout this year we have conducted several pilots across the prison estate, testing alternatives to the current wet shave provision and control measures in establishments. These pilots are due to conclude in the spring of 2023, at which time they will be evaluated
to consider any concerns or issues which may have arisen and measured against the impact they have had on violence and self-harm. This evaluation will enable us to make informed recommendations on future shaving provision in prison establishments.
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.
Director General of Prisons