HM Prison Probation Service
Central Government
Action Planned
AI-generated response summary
HMP Hewell has reviewed its suicide and self-harm (SASH) and ACCT training arrangements. To strengthen oversight, a comprehensive training log will be maintained, and training records will be reviewed monthly at safer custody meetings. Additionally, more staff are being trained to deliver ACCT and SASH training.
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Dear Mr Reid, REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS: MR ADAM CLARK Thank you for your Regulation 28 report of 27 July 2026 addressed to the Governor of HMP Hewell following the inquest into the death of Adam Clark at the prison on 1 December 2024. I am providing the response on behalf of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) as Interim Director General of Prisons. I know that you will share a copy of this response with Mr Clark’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 raised concerns regarding the provision of suicide and self-harm prevention training, including Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) training, for all staff working within the prison. The prison safety policy framework places clear responsibility on Governors and Directors to ensure staff are appropriately trained for the roles they perform. Establishments are required to assess their local safety training needs and maintain training plans to ensure staff have access to the training, support and development necessary to effectively identify, manage and respond to risks of self-harm and suicide. HMPPS recognises the importance of ensuring that all staff are equipped to identify, respond to, and manage risks relating to self-harm and suicide. Staff training forms a key part of the wider approach to supporting vulnerable individuals and ensuring effective delivery of care OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
[Page 2] OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE planning and risk management processes. All new prison officers receive training on suicide and self-harm prevention as part of Initial Prison Officer Training, with a range of related training available. Staff who undertake specific responsibilities within the ACCT process, including assessment, case management and coordination roles, receive additional training relevant to those duties. Dedicated suicide and self-harm training is also available to staff who work in prisons but do not undertake prison officer training. This includes both directly employed prison staff in non-operational roles and staff employed by partner organisations, such as education providers and healthcare services, who may identify concerns about a prisoner during the course of their work. Safety Support Skills training also includes dedicated learning on self-harm, suicide prevention and mental health. These modules are designed to provide staff the knowledge and skills required to recognise signs of vulnerability, understand risk factors, contribute effectively to assessment and care planning processes, and provide appropriate support to those at risk of self-harm. HMP Hewell recognises that staff of all grades and roles have an important part to play in the safety of those residing within the prison. A full review of all suicide and self-harm (SASH) and ACCT training arrangements has been undertaken to ensure the provision, frequency, and quality of training are appropriate and effective. As set out above all operational staff receive training in suicide and self-harm awareness and ACCT processes as part of their mandatory national training programme, and while there is no formal requirement for this training to be repeated once completed, HMP Hewell remains committed to identifying ongoing learning opportunities and addressing any skills gaps through additional training and targeted support. Non-operational staff including staff from external education providers and other personnel who are not directly employed by the prison, have access to ACCT and SASH training through dedicated local trainers, with weekly sessions scheduled to ensure all staff can be accommodated. Partner agencies support this process by notifying the establishment of new staff members, enabling prompt identification of those requiring training. In addition, weekly ACCT training sessions are delivered by the new colleague mentor, alongside monthly SASH training sessions designed to reinforce knowledge and maintain competence. To strengthen oversight and assurance, a comprehensive training log will be maintained to record all staff who have completed training, ensuring that no individual is overlooked. The log will also be used to monitor five-year refresher dates and support ongoing compliance. Training records and any outstanding requirements will be reviewed as a standing agenda item at monthly safer custody meetings, providing oversight of progress and identifying areas requiring further attention. Furthermore, additional staff are being trained to deliver ACCT and SASH training, increasing resilience, sustainability, and future training capacity across the establishment. OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
[Page 3] OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Thank you for bringing these matters to my attention. I trust that this response provides assurance that action is being taken to address the concerns identified.
[Page 2] OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE planning and risk management processes. All new prison officers receive training on suicide and self-harm prevention as part of Initial Prison Officer Training, with a range of related training available. Staff who undertake specific responsibilities within the ACCT process, including assessment, case management and coordination roles, receive additional training relevant to those duties. Dedicated suicide and self-harm training is also available to staff who work in prisons but do not undertake prison officer training. This includes both directly employed prison staff in non-operational roles and staff employed by partner organisations, such as education providers and healthcare services, who may identify concerns about a prisoner during the course of their work. Safety Support Skills training also includes dedicated learning on self-harm, suicide prevention and mental health. These modules are designed to provide staff the knowledge and skills required to recognise signs of vulnerability, understand risk factors, contribute effectively to assessment and care planning processes, and provide appropriate support to those at risk of self-harm. HMP Hewell recognises that staff of all grades and roles have an important part to play in the safety of those residing within the prison. A full review of all suicide and self-harm (SASH) and ACCT training arrangements has been undertaken to ensure the provision, frequency, and quality of training are appropriate and effective. As set out above all operational staff receive training in suicide and self-harm awareness and ACCT processes as part of their mandatory national training programme, and while there is no formal requirement for this training to be repeated once completed, HMP Hewell remains committed to identifying ongoing learning opportunities and addressing any skills gaps through additional training and targeted support. Non-operational staff including staff from external education providers and other personnel who are not directly employed by the prison, have access to ACCT and SASH training through dedicated local trainers, with weekly sessions scheduled to ensure all staff can be accommodated. Partner agencies support this process by notifying the establishment of new staff members, enabling prompt identification of those requiring training. In addition, weekly ACCT training sessions are delivered by the new colleague mentor, alongside monthly SASH training sessions designed to reinforce knowledge and maintain competence. To strengthen oversight and assurance, a comprehensive training log will be maintained to record all staff who have completed training, ensuring that no individual is overlooked. The log will also be used to monitor five-year refresher dates and support ongoing compliance. Training records and any outstanding requirements will be reviewed as a standing agenda item at monthly safer custody meetings, providing oversight of progress and identifying areas requiring further attention. Furthermore, additional staff are being trained to deliver ACCT and SASH training, increasing resilience, sustainability, and future training capacity across the establishment. OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
[Page 3] OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Thank you for bringing these matters to my attention. I trust that this response provides assurance that action is being taken to address the concerns identified.