Form 6.2

SHERIFFDOM OF TAYSIDE, CENTRAL AND FIFE AT FALKIRK
FAL-B230-18

RESPONSE OF THE SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE TO THE
DETERMINATION OF SHERIFF J K MUNDY
UNDER THE INQUIRIES INTO FATAL ACCIDENTS AND SUDDEN DEATHS ETC (SCOTLAND) ACT 2016

in the inquiry into the death of

ROBERT WAGSTAFF

To the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
1. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS), being a body to whom a recommendation under section 26(1)(b) was addressed, do respond as follows.

2. Recommendation 1 – “That information in Transitions Reports and similar documents from other institutions, including secure accommodation, on the transfer of an individual to HM YOI Polmont should be thoroughly read by SPS staff within Polmont who are
responsible for the transfer and placement of the person and that the information in such reports be shared with all relevant SPS, NHS and other staff within Polmont dealing with the person, including those involved in the management of the person in terms of risk both to
himself or herself and to others.”

3. Response – In January 2019, HMP & YOI Polmont implemented a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that provides a robust system to support a young person’s transition from secure care, to SPS care, in a manner that meets the needs and risks of the person involved. The SOP requires that the information contained within documents, such as transition reports, is shared with Reception Officers, Hall Managers and SPS Psychology staff, NHS and Prison Based Social Work, being the professionals who would be involved in the management and care of the person in terms of risk both to himself or herself or others. The SOP also includes a requirement for staff at HMP & YOI Polmont to upload any significant note or information onto the Scottish Prisons Service’s Prisoner Record System, such as transitions reports, to
ensure that SPS staff involved in making decisions regarding the risk that a person may pose to themselves or others can readily access that information.

4. HMP & YOI Polmont are also developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to support young people transferring to HMP & YOI Polmont from The State Hospital, Carstairs and other secure mental health facilities. This SOP will mirror the information sharing
requirement of the SOP detailed above.

5. Recommendation 2 – “That the guidance issued by the SPS in their Prevention of Suicide in Prison Strategy as to the circumstances in which a healthcare risk assessment is carried out by a healthcare professional upon an individual’s reception into an institution be amended to clearly state all the circumstances in which such an assessment be carried out so that it is easily understood by SPS staff.”

6. Response – SPS continually reviews its policy, procedures and strategy in relation to preventing suicide within its prisons. The above recommendation is currently being reviewed by those responsible for these policies, procedures and strategies and it is intended to revise
SPS’s principal guidance in relation to suicide prevention, Talk to Me (TTM), so that it clearly states the circumstances in which a person should be assessed by a healthcare professional upon their reception into an institution. It is anticipated that this revised guidance
will be issued in October 2019.

7. Recommendation 3 – “That regular training, including refresher training, be provided by the SPS to their staff, NHS staff and other relevant staff within Polmont in relation to the SPS Prevention of Suicide in Prison Strategy, with particular emphasis on the circumstances in which the strategy might be invoked in relation to an individual.”

8. Response - All SPS staff and partner agency staff must complete TTM core training before having unescorted access to people in its care and must complete TTM refresher training at least once in every 3 year period. SPS has implemented its current programme of refresher
training and it was agreed that establishments would have 18 months to ensure all staff completed this training. It was agreed that HMP & YOI Polmont would accelerate the process to deliver the TTM refresher training to all staff working with those in our care. Current figures show almost 95% of all SPS staff in HMP & YOI Polmont have completed the TTM refresher training.

9. The TTM refresher training is a two hour classroom based training which has a practical element, allowing staff to complete paperwork based on a video scenario. This element helps staff identity the circumstances in which the strategy might be invoked in relation to an
individual.