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<p>The Covid-19 pandemic and the necessary regime restrictions introduced in response
to it have brought new and different challenges across the estate. Maintaining safety
and the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners has remained a priority throughout.
A range of products have been made available to support Governors in devising and
implementing local safety and welfare plans designed to mitigate any risks. Governors
are required to agree a health delivery plan which includes how mental health support
will be delivered during COVID-19.</p><p>We have tailored guidance for supporting
specific groups of people in prison whose wellbeing may be more impacted by the Covid-19
measures put in place, including older prison residents, those with learning difficulties
and groups known to be at increased risk of self-harm, suicide, or violence.</p><p>We
have piloted improvements to Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT), which
is the multidisciplinary case management approach used in prisons when someone is
thought to be at risk of self-harm or suicide. Following a pause, due to the implementation
of Covid-19 measures, we are currently planning the resumption of the roll-out of
revised ACCT across the prison estate.</p><p>In addition, video health conferencing
has been rolled out across the estate to support the delivery of mental health services
by enabling contact with community and hospital services. Governors are also considering
how mental health services can support people with the potential increased anxiety
or other mental illnesses related to Covid-19, as well as ‘lockdown’ experiences and
restrictions.</p><p>A range of internal initiatives have been developed, including
the development of weekly national wellbeing content through HMPPS Psychology Services
and prison radio content focussed on wellbeing. We have also been working with education
providers to support prisons in the adult estate. This has allowed us to enable learning
to continue via in cell activity, distraction material and learning packs. Within
the Youth Secure Estate the delivery of education remains a particular priority as
we seek to mirror the position taken for vulnerable children in the community, where
it is possible to do so.It is our desire to continue to provide ‘face to face’ classroom-based
education, notwithstanding local variations and the impact of potential outbreaks
amongst staff or children.</p><p>In relation to exercise, since the beginning of the
pandemic prisons have been authorised to use external exercise yards for access to
the open air and to deliver external physical education. All sites have also set out
how they will provide prisoners with time out of cell, and the safe equivalent of
association time.</p>
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