| answer text |
<p>The number of self-inflicted deaths in prison custody in 2014 is due to be released
on the 29<sup>th</sup> January 2015 at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics</a></p><p>
</p><p>The most recent Safety in Custody statistics bulletin covers deaths in prison
custody up to the end of September 2014. In the first 9 months of 2014 there had been
58 self-inflicted deaths in prison custody in England. As it can be difficult to determine
a person’s intent to take their own life, the National Offender Management Service
(NOMS) classifies any death where a person has apparently taken their own life, irrespective
of intent, as a self-inflicted death.</p><p> </p><p>Information on mental health assessments
and diagnoses are not collected centrally.</p><p> </p><p>Prisoners receive a detailed
medical examination on reception and those identified as having mental health needs
are referred for a further mental health assessment. The reception healthcare screen
also includes an assessment of the risk of self harm or suicide. Prisoners identified
as being at risk of self harm or suicide (on reception, or at any point during their
time in custody) are subject to Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT), a
flexible, prisoner-centred care planning process. The ACCT process includes a detailed
psychosocial assessment by a trained assessor within 24 hours, and this is followed
immediately by the first multi-disciplinary case review, at which a decision is reached
about whether or not a further mental health assessment is necessary.</p><p> </p><p>We
are applying strenuous efforts to learn from each death and are providing further
resources and support to prisons to help support their safer custody work. Reducing
the number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons is a top priority, and our dedicated
resources are providing support to many vulnerable prisoners every single day.</p><p>
</p>
|
|
