April 2015
A prison service instruction (PSI) that came into force on 1 April 2015 describes "the ways in which the existing processes that operate in prisons and YOIs combine to ensure that establishments comply with their duty of care to all adult prisoners and young offenders aged 18 and over."
The Care Act 2014 places responsibility on the local authority in which the prison is located to assess prisoners with care and support needs and where the prisoner is eligible for social care support, to put in place care and support plans setting out how the needs will be met (See PSI 15/2015 Adult Social Care). The aim of this policy is to ensure that all adult prisoners are protected from abuse and neglect, and prisons effectively discharge their duty of care towards them.
Adult safeguarding in prison means keeping prisoners safe and protecting them from abuse and neglect.
Abuse being "any act, or failure to act, which results in a significant breach of a prisoner’s human rights, civil liberties, bodily integrity, dignity or general wellbeing, whether intended or inadvertent; including sexual relationships or financial transactions to which a person has not or cannot validly consent, or which are deliberately exploitative."
Neglect being "a failure to identify and meet the needs of a prisoner, for example by ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failing to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services or withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating."
Governors must:
Click here to read PSI 16/2015 Adult Safeguarding in Prison.
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Silver: For members who have submitted an example or entered an awards programme
Gold: For members who have been a speaker at an event or have won or been shortlisted for an award.
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