Prison Service Order
ORDER
NUMBER0550
/ PRISONER INDUCTION
This PSO must be read in conjunction with PSI 52/2010 Early Days in Custody
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
STATEMENT OF PURPOSEThis Prison Service Order provides the Service with instructions on the delivery and management of induction processes for prisoners.
This is a revised version of PSO 0550, to take account of developments since 2000. It is a briefer document, supported by Prisoner Induction Guidance. Good practice in dealing with Suicide and Self-Harm prevention during induction can be found in the Safer Induction Toolkit
The PSO applies to all prisoners. The instructions and guidance in this PSO apply to juveniles subject to the additions and modifications in PSO 4950 ‘Regimes for Juveniles’
References to Governors include Directors of Contracted-out Prisons.
All earlier issues of PSO 0550 must be destroyed.
DESIRED OUTCOME
All prisoners new to custody or to an establishment are provided with an appropriate induction process. The aims are to assist and support the prisoner’s integration into the establishment; to continue the assessment process; and to enable the prisoner to remain safe, make the best use of their time in custody, and prepare for a law abiding life after release.
MANDATORY ACTIONS
This PSO includes mandatory actions indicated in italic typeface. Establishments will be audited against the Performance Standard 42 Prisoner Induction.
Every establishment must devise its own prisoner induction policies and procedures, to show how it will fulfil the requirements of this PSO. This must be available to staff, prisoners, and IMB and must be reviewed annually.
RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
The PSO sets out the minimum components required in an induction process. The changes in this PSO reflect changes in practice and recent initiatives. Establishments will be able to comply with the PSO within existing resources. Prisoner induction may be implemented flexibly to take account of the different types of prison and the different needs of prisoners.
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: / 1 June 2005
(signed)
Michael Spurr
Director of Operations
Further advice is available from the NOMS Offender Policy and Rights Unit:
Roy Donno020 7217 6567
Tony Sperry 020 7217 6271
CONTENTS
1Definition of Induction
1.1Definition
1.2 Scope
1.3 Legal and Moral Obligations
2Transition from Reception
2.1Transition
2.2Ensuring the immediate well-being of the prisoner
2.3Prisoner communication needs
2.4Late arrivals
2.5Prisoners feeling anxious
2.6Prisoners at risk of self-harm/suicide
2.7Timing of the Induction Period
2.8Role of other Prisoners
2.9Transfer to the unit/wing
2.10Integration
3.Ensuring provision and safety for the first night
3.1First night
4 Needs based induction
4.1Needs based induction
4.2Information and advice
4.3Flexibility
4.4Induction is for all
4.5Prisoners new to custody
4.6Unconvicted prisoners
4.7Prisoners changing status
4.8Prisoners transferred from another establishment
4.9Prisoners returning after recent release from custody
4.10Elderly and disabled prisoners
4.11Young offenders
4.12Women
4.13Life sentenced prisoners
4.14Foreign nationals
5The Induction Process
5.1Core components
5.2Timetable of induction
5.3Dealing with immediate needs
5.4Families and contact with the outside world
6Information Needs
6.1Appropriate information and communicating it
6.2Providing information
6.3Local materials
6.4Prisoner Information Books
6.5Rules information
6.6Prison life
6.7Sources of assistance
6.8Formal procedures
6.9Opportunities - including preparing for release
7The Assessment Process
7.1General assessments
7.2Healthcare
7.3Individual needs
7.4CARAT
7.5Learning and Skills
7.6Physical Education
7.7Employment/vocational training
7.8Religion/Faith
7.9Resettlement
7.10Risk of escaping/absconding
8The Management and Staffing of Induction
8.1Staff working on prisoner induction
8.2Management of induction
8.3Governors’ responsibilities
8.4Evaluation
8.5Location
8.6Standard of accommodation
Link to Guidance Notes
SECTION1 -DEFINITION OF INDUCTION
1.1Definition
Induction is a process, not an event. Induction begins as soon as reception is complete. The purpose is to inform prisoners about prison life, the regime and their responsibilities and privileges and to begin to prepare them for their return to the community. The induction process enables prisoners to approach their time in custody constructively in order to gain the maximum benefit from their sentence. It enables prison staff to begin to explain the standards expected in prison and to establish the culture and ethos of the establishment. The decency agenda is established during reception and induction.
1.2Scope
Induction is required for all prisoners:
- New to custody
- Who have changed status (eg unconvicted to convicted unsentenced)
- Who are new to a prison
- Who are serving an Intermittent Custody sentence.
1.3Legal and Moral Obligations
- Reception and induction procedures must comply with the Prison Rules 1999 (Consolidated 2002) and the YOI Rules 2000 (Consolidated 2002).
To fulfil Duty of Care under Health & Safety regulations, and adhere to the Human Rights Act.
- The Prison Service Race Relations policy must be emphasised and applied during the induction process
- Prisons must provide an induction process that takes account of and is responsive to the particular needs of disabled prisoners and the requirement of the Prison Service to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Arrangements for external assessments should be made where appropriate.
- Prisons must provide an induction process which provides for those who have language barriers and/or cannot communicate to participate in the induction programme
Back to PSO 0550 contents
SECTION 2 - THE TRANSITION FROM RECEPTION
2.1Transition
Induction is the period from completion of formal reception procedures until the prisoner is integrated into the normal prison routine. Reception is covered by PSO 0500. Once the reception procedures have finished, prisoners must be classed as being on the induction process even if they have not yet started a formal induction programme. The formal induction programme must start as soon as practicable after reception, preferably the next day.
2.2Ensuring the immediate well-being of the prisoner
Reception staff must communicate effectively with induction staff, who must prioritise any outstanding needs of prisoners that could not be dealt with during the reception process.
Governors must ensure that effective communication systems operate between reception and induction so that any relevant information is passed on. There must also be systems in place to provide relevant information about new prisoners to other departments within the prison.
2.3Prisoner communication needs
It is vital to establish these, including identifying their first language and their understanding of and ability to communicate in English and any learning, sight or hearing difficulties. Where learning, sight or hearing difficulties are identified, this information must be communicated by Reception or Induction staff to the Head of Learning & Skills to ensure that arrangements can be made to address these needs within the Learning & Skills provision.
Where appropriate, and available interpretation services must be used during reception and induction and thereafter to enable staff to communicate with non- English speaking or deaf prisoners.
2.4Late arrivals
Governors must ensure that arrangements are in place to deal with prisoners arriving late in the day or at weekends. In particular those experiencing substance withdrawal should be offered appropriate clinical interventions in accordance with Clinical Substance Standards.
2.5Prisoners feeling anxious
Many prisoners new to custody will be feeling anxious and prisoners who have been transferred may be unhappy at the move, particularly if they are a long way away from their family. Staff must respond sympathetically to prisoners’ anxiety and provide them with opportunities to talk about their concerns.
2.6Prisoners at risk of self-harm/ suicide
Staff must be alert to the elevated risk of self-harm/suicide at this stage and must apply the instructions in PSO 2700 and its supporting guidance throughout induction. 10% of suicides occur within the first 24 hours in custody, and 21% within the first week. It is important to be aware of various forms of risk and not merely have regard to those prisoners with active suicidal intent.
Induction staff will be involved in drawing up/amending a support plan for at risk prisoners who are new to the establishment. Staff will need to be aware of significant anniversaries that could cause additional risk.
2.7Timing of the induction period
The length will vary depending on the needs of the individual and some prisoners undergoing substance withdrawal or with other pressing health issues may not be suitable for the full formal induction programme immediately. Healthcare staff should be consulted to establish the point at which such prisoners may be fit to attend an induction programme The capacity for apparently lucid prisoners experiencing substance withdrawal to retain information in the first week of custody is often severely limited. It must be ensured that all prisoners are given a full induction programme as soon as they are able to benefit from it.
2.8Role of other prisoners
Other prisoners, if carefully selected and supervised, can have a valuable role in settling the prisoner into the life of the establishment by contributing to the induction process.
2.9Transfer to the unit/wing
Induction must aid the transfer to the unit/wing. An aim of induction is to facilitate a smooth transition for the prisoner from entering custody to following a normal prison routine. Prisoners may have anxieties about mixing with other prisoners, particularly on the wing.
2.10Integration
Induction must help to integrate the prisoner into the life of the establishment.
Induction helps by:
- Establishing positive relationships - particularly between staff and prisoners, but also between prisoners themselves. Induction provides an opportunity for staff to gain the confidence and co-operation of prisoners and is a key influence on future dealings between staff and prisoners
- Establishing standards - these are the standards of behaviour expected in the establishment, particularly in terms of race relations and violence reduction
- Establishing expectations - the prisoner is informed about prison life and is given a clearer idea of what to expect
- Equipping prisoners to use the period in custody constructively and safely.
Back to PSO 0550 contents
SECTION 3 - Ensuring provision and safety for the first night
3.1First night -Governors must ensure that arrangements are in place for staff to ensure the safety and well-being of the prisoner, particularly during the prisoner’s first night in the prison.In addition to suicide/self-harm risk assessments, a cell sharing risk assessment must be completed before a prisoner is locked up for the first night.
PSO 0500 Reception also contains mandatory actions relating to First Night and should be read in conjunction with this PSO. Further information is available in the Prisoner Induction Guidance
Back to PSO 0550 contents
SECTION 4 – NEEDS BASED INDUCTION
4.1Needs based Induction
Each establishment must have induction arrangements which can be varied in response to the needs of prisoners, and means to assess these needs.
4.2Information and advice
During induction relevant information must be explained to prisoners in a language they understand, including that they will be allowed reasonable facilities and reasonable access to specialist advice to preserve outside links and supportive factors, including housing, finance, employment and family ties.
4.3Flexibility
Induction must be flexible and respond to the different needs that prisoners present.Induction must be adapted according to the prisoner’s status ie whether the prisoner is unconvicted, convicted unsentenced, sentenced or is a civil prisoner.
Induction caters for different types of prisoners and situations and arrangements may vary to reflect local circumstances. Prisoners’ information and other needs may also vary according to the type and length of sentence. Prisoners recalled to custody when a licence is revoked may also have particular needs.
4.4Induction is for all
Staff must ensure that all prisoners, whether located on a dedicated induction unit or not, receive induction.Prisoners in segregation must not be excluded from an appropriate induction process. PSO 1700 covers use of segregation.
Others who may need special attention may be in the health care centre or detox unit or Vulnerable Prisoners Unit. Specific induction arrangements for such prisoners should be developed as part of the establishment’s induction policy, with a follow up on return to normal location.
Details of prisoners who are currently on induction and prisoners who have completed the induction process must be recorded. Staff responsible for prisoners’ welfare must have access to these records.
4.5Prisoners new to custody
First time prisoners will have the greatest needs for induction and must be accorded particular attention.
4.6Unconvicted prisoners
Induction for remand prisoners must take account of their special status, as set out in Annex B of PSO 4600.
During induction relevant information must be explained to them, including that they will be allowed reasonable facilities and reasonable access to specialist advice. They must be told of their rights and privileges under Prison Rules 20(5), 23(1 and 35(1) relating to medical/dental treatment, letters and visits and wearing their own clothes.
4.7Prisoners changing status
A change of status, for example from unconvicted to convicted, will require an induction process relevant to their individual circumstances and to their previous experience and knowledge of custody.
4.8Prisoners transferred from another establishment
Induction must be provided for prisoners who are new to the particular establishment, even if they have undergone induction elsewhere. Staff must be aware of the different reasons for prisoner movement and be flexible in their approach to new arrivals, who may have different needs according to the reason for the move.
Induction staff must ensure that any missing information from a previous establishment is followed up. Chapter 4 of PSO 0500 Reception sets out key sources of information. It is extremely important to get this information as it may contain previously identified risks and needs of the prisoner. This information will include the type of support offered to the prisoner in the previous establishment so that continuity of care can be maintained where possible.
4.9Prisoners returning after recent release from custody
Prisoners returning to the same prison who have completed induction before may only need to be reminded of the ethos of the establishment, key information and informed about any changes in procedures.
4.10Elderly and disabled prisoners
These prisoners may have particular concerns and needs, for example relating to their health and mobility and the need for special facilities, which must be considered during induction.
4.11Young offenders
Consideration needs to be given to the learning styles of young offenders, which may be different from adult prisoners, particularly in concentration. Induction needs to be pitched so that it is understandable to all. The use of pictures may aid understanding.
4.12Women
All the general principles in this PSO refer to women, but additionally staff must be aware of and respond to the issues that are more likely to arise with women and female young offenders or are particular to them.
4.13Life sentenced prisoners
Potential, convicted and recalled life sentenced prisoners will need information about life sentences covering tariff, progress through the lifer system and the review process.
4.14Foreign nationals
In addition to language or literacy needs, some prisoners may have
particular difficulty in maintaining links with family and friends. Foreign national prisoners and those with close ties abroad are entitled to a free monthly phone call if they have had no visits in the previous month.
This can be in the form of pin phone credit. Foreign national prisoners also often require information on immigration and deportation issues. They must also be offered the opportunity to contact their Embassy should they wish to.
Back to PSO 0550 contents
SECTION 5 -THE INDUCTION PROCESS
5.1Core Components
Governors must have in place induction procedures which:
- Deal with immediate and urgent needs
- Enable prisoners to cope in custody
- Provide information, both about custody generally and the routines of the particular establishment
- Ensure that the prisoner feels confident asking for help
- Continue the assessment process
- Help to integrate the prisoner into the life of the establishment
- Aid the transfer from induction to the unit/wing
- Can be customised to complement and help develop the support plan (or Caremap) of any prisoner identified as at risk to self
This may be done through a series of modules from which the appropriate selection can be made. Governors may add to this to create an induction process suited to the needs of their establishment. If a prisoner cannot complete a module for any reason, such as disability, then this must be recorded on the F2055C record of training.
5.2Timetable of induction
Prisoners will be given a timetable for the induction process. Steps will be taken to ensure prisoners are fully occupied.
5.3Dealing with immediate needs
Prisoners’ most immediate needs will have been dealt with during the reception process, but induction staff must ensure that any remaining pressing concerns and warning signs are identified and dealt with appropriately. The risk of self-harm/suicide remains high during the induction period. Where there are concerns an F2052SH/ACCT must be opened.
5.4Families and contact with the outside world
During induction, prisoners must be provided with facilities for writing letters and given access to, and encouraged to use, designated telephones in order to maintain and strengthen ties with those outside.Information about visits must also be provided. The Assisted Prisons Visits Scheme must be explained.
This can go a long way to dispelling fears about how family and friends are coping on the outside and is especially relevant to younger, more vulnerable, prisoners. When a first call is made it may be suggested that the prisoner gives the friend/relative the visits booking line number. This gives something positive to focus on amid the potential anxieties of the early days.
Hand-outs should be provided for family and friends including details of how to find the prison and how to book visits.
Back to PSO 0550 contents
SECTION 6 – INFORMATION NEEDS
6.1Appropriate information and communicating it
Information provided must be appropriate to the individual prisoner.Information provided by different members of staff must be consistent. This means that the information is provided in a format that the prisoner can understand and the methods of communication are varied and encourage prisoner interaction.
6.2Providing information
Prisoners must be provided with the information they will need for living in the establishment and making full use of its facilities and opportunities. Staff will bear in mind that there are limits on the amount of information prisoners can absorb at any one time, particularly when they may be new to custody and feeling anxious. Staff will avoid using jargon without explanation, will check for understanding and will be prepared to repeat information as necessary.