safer custody

Preventing Prison Staff Assaults

[Prison Service Journal (2022)]

Article on the issue of assaults on prison staff and how to prevent them. [Past issues of PSJ are archived here].

Emergency contact details for families, for prisons in England & Wales

[National Prisoners’ Families Helpline (2021)]

Safer Custody portal containing emergency contact details for every prison in England and Wales, for families concerned about a loved one who may be at risk of suicide or self harm.

Keywords: self harm, safer custody

Problem Support Mentors

[Wealstun (2021)]

Ruth Mann Trophy finalist: “Problem Support Mentors” are trained wing based peer mentors acting as social problem solving coaches, using the 6 step problem solving principles of the Thinking Skills Programme. (TSP) [For more about the Ruth Mann Trophy click here].

Safer Custody Dedicated Cleaning Team

[Full Sutton (2021)]

Ruth Mann Trophy submission: the Safer Custody Dedicated Cleaning Team is a cleaning work party comprised of some of the most complex prisoners who present a heightened risk of self harm, supported and supervised on rotation by their key workers. [For more about the Ruth Mann Trophy click here].

Keywords: safer custody, decency

Hull Supporters (“listeners” scheme)

[Hull (2021)]

Ruth Mann Trophy submission: Hull’s version of Listeners (set up because the local Samaritans branch were unable to assist). [For more about the Ruth Mann Trophy click here].

Keywords: safer custody

Vulnerability Prediction Tool (VPT)

[Serco prisons (2021)]

Ruth Mann Trophy submission: an IT-based system for helping to identify vulnerable prisoners and those at risk of self isolation. [For more about the Ruth Mann Trophy click here].

Keywords: safer custody

Stocken Buskers

[Stocken (2021)]

Ruth Mann Trophy submission: prisoner buskers line the route to work, playing music to brighten the day and lighten the mood of prisoners and staff alike. [For more about the Ruth Mann Trophy click here].

Razor-blade free prison

[Whitemoor (2021)]

Ruth Mann Trophy submission: Whitemoor has removed all razor blades from the prison, replacing them with electric razors and depilation creams. [For more about the Ruth Mann Trophy click here].

Keywords: safer custody