Lost your Password?
Click Here
Don't have an account?
Register Here
Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
Want to ask a question? Please read our guidance information found here: Submitting a KMS Question
← Back Search KMSThis content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
Introduction: Latvian Prison Administration is interested in information about Resocialisation Programmes for Suicide prevention in imprisonment places, to improve and build more efficient Suicide preventive programme for Latvian prisons. We have one program for Suicide prevention which was created in 2014 and the program needs improvements. We are currently implementing European Social Fond project for six years with aim to make resocialization program implementation more effective in our prison system. One of our aims is to understand the experience of different countries and in turn improve and make more efficient Suicide preventive programme for prisons.
The Northern Ireland Prison Service has a Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Policy and an associated Suicide and Self-harm risk management strategy that was developed jointly with our healthcare providers. Over the last 2 years we have completely reviewed and revised our approach to people who are at risk of suicide and or self-harm in prisons. As a result of this we have introduced a person-centred approach that has changed the culture of how we respond to people at risk and has significantly reduced our incidents of self-harm. Our approach has a set of operating procedures, which contains the full approach from a concern being raised to assessment of risk and care planning.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available? What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody? Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?The Lithuanian prisons implement a unified program for prisoners with suicide risk, which established prison staff actions (schemes) for prevention, intervention and postvention of suicide risk.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?Yes. The description of the Procedure for Prevention of Suicide and Self-injury Risk at Penitentiary Establishments approved by the Director General of the Prison Department. It was published at the Register of Legal Acts.
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?Psychologists evaluate suicide risk of each newly accepted prisoner by means of the suicide-screening questionnaire and clinical interview.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Mrs. Nijole Martinkeviciene, Resocialization Unit, Prison Department
SUPPORT ON RELEASE & REINTEGRATION The SPS ‘Talk to Me’ Prevention of Suicide Strategy will ensure that when a person at risk is released from prison, the safety of the individual is paramount. Support arrangements should assist community reintegration and enable access to any specific support services the person may require. Support arrangements for an “At Risk” individual should include: • Early engagement by external agencies before the individual returns to the community; • Access to support services including mental health and counselling services; • Effective partnership working and communication between SPS, NHS Health Boards, local authorities, and other Third Sector organisations; • Advice, guidance and assistance to vulnerable individuals and their families prior to release; • Continuation of interventions and treatments commenced in custody; • Provision of ‘through the gate’ services to ensure safety immediately on release from prison.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?TALK TO ME GUIDANCE PART 2 REVISED DECEMBER 2019 The Guidance covers in considerable detail the various stages of the Talk to Me process and provides the appropriate documentation to be utilised at each stage: • Concern Form • Reception Risk Assessment • Initiation Form (including Immediate Care Plan) • Pre Case Conference Healthcare Assessment • Consent Form • Case Conference (including Care Plan) • Escort Form • Care Plan Report • Closure Form (including Transitional Care Plan) • Support on Release & Reintegration Case Conference • Movements Log Copies of the Talk to Me Strategy are available on the SPS website at https://www.sps.gov.uk/Corporate/Publications/Publication-4678.aspx Copies of the Talk to Me Guidance Manual may be obtainable from Lesley McDowall, Head of Health Strategy, with her authorisation. (Address below). [email protected]
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?Talk to Me Booklets The Talk to Me booklets contain guidance on the process and completion of the paperwork as well as enough documents for three case conferences. The booklet also contain daily reports, a transitional care plan & case conference and pre-release care plan and case conference. When a Talk to Me case is live the booklet should be kept in the Talk to Me Case Files provided previously. If someone is transferred while on Talk to Me their live Talk to Me booklet must transfer to the receiving establishment. Where someone is placed on Talk to Me in reception, the information contained in the Reception Risk Assessment (RRA) form should be summarised in the Initiation form. The RRA should be kept with all other RRAs to allow for a daily check to ensure all admissions, returns, transfers, tribunals and VC courts have an RRA completed. The Reception Risk Assessment form and the Concern form remain loose leaf.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Lesley McDowall, SPS Head of Health Strategy [email protected]
Yes, indeed. The Spanish General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions has developed and implemented, over the last years, a successful protocol aimed at reducing the risk of suicide in the prison context. That protocol, updated regularly, involves Governors, medical and rehabilitation staff and needs the full cooperation of all prison departments.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?The mentioned protocol is clearly described in the corresponding document (Directive 5/2014), and explains the nature, content, procedures and steps to be followed when any risk of suicide is detected. It also addresses "critical moments" and "signals" that could lead to self-harm behaviours. It is available in all spanish prisons.
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?The Directive 5/2014, to be reviewed in 2020, allows a wide range of evaluation instruments, all of them in the field of medical and psychological assistance. Thus, psychological interviews, psychometric instruments, direct observation and regular assessments are tools to be used according to the needs detected. However, this protocol understands that daily observation and knowledge of inmates are essential, so all staff should be aware of sucide risk along the serving of the sentence.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Carlos Fernandez Gómez Psychologist of the Spanish penitentiary administration General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions. [email protected] [email protected]
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
The programs we are currently developing are aimed at preventing suicide in prison (Framework Program for Suicide Prevention in Prisons in Catalonia), as suicide is a public health problem. The overarching objectives are to reduce suicide mortality, increase survival of the prison population after suicide behaviour, and prevent recurrence of attempts, by activating an action procedure against any risk detection, the evaluation of such clinical risk and the person-centred intervention. This Framework Program includes group psychoeducational intervention for the prevention of self-harming behaviour in the penitentiary environment: the N'VIU Program, which follows an evidence-based model, where emotional and cognitive competences for the - acquisition of skills and new coping strategies and problem-solving strategies always with the aim of reducing the risk of suicide.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?As a result of the coordination agreement between the Department of Health and Justice of the Generalitat de Catalunya, signed in July 2017, was made the Framework Program for the Prevention of Suicide in the Penitentiary Centres of Catalonia, which came into force on 1 June 2019 in all prisons. It is not currently available to the public.
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?Assessing suicide risk is the responsibility of healthcare professionals (physician, psychiatrist), and follows the same model used in the community. Among other instruments is worth noting the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?You can contact our Secretariat's Specialized Intervention Program Unit. Contact mailbox JU SGPRS [email protected]
Resocialization programs in Croatian prisons and penitentiaries are implemented in individual or group work with prisoners to reduce their risk of general or specific reoffending and to encourage their desistance from crime. Therefore no such program is implemented in individual or group work with prisoners with an direct aim of reducing risk of suicide. Suicide prevention strategy in Croatian prison system is focused on a) permanent education of prison staff to raise their awareness and to enable them to detect prisoners’ risks of suicide and intervene adequately in situations of suicide or attempted suicide and on b) ensuring psychosocial assistance to prison staff after facing suicide in prison.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?No, there is no facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody.
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?Expert team of each prison and penitentiary makes a list of prisoners who are at risk of suicide and/or self-injury and drafts an individual plan for suicide prevention for each of those prisoners. Expert team that makes an assessment is consisted (amongst others) of psychologists, social workers and social pedagogues. Depending on the assessed risk of suicide, expert opinion and further assistance of a psychiatrist may be requested.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Any further information can be requested by sending an e-mail to: [email protected]
The Criminal Sanction Agency does not have any actual suicide prevention program just now, but we have a guide (2014) how to deal with such situations.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?Yes we have a guide. https://www.rikosseuraamus.fi/material/attachments/rise/julkaisut-muut/wX8Hkn9l9/Itsemurhien_ehkaisy_-esite_2014.pdf
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?It is important for each employee to recognize the increased risk of suicide at the individual level during the various stages of imprisonment. Whenever a risk arises, the client will be directed primarily to a more accurate assessment of the health care personnel. All suicide cases and attempts must be taken seriously. The employee must observe the client and the changes in the situation intensively but with sensitivity. In suicide prevention, the most important thing is to identify a suicide risk client. Assess the risk of suicide is background information on general risk factors, current stress factors, possible depression, drug abuse problem and the actual risk of suicide. The personnel of the Criminal Sanctions Agency do not use any forms such as the C-SSRS, but the staff of Health Care Services for Prisoners can use a screening form if need be.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Health Care Services for Prisoners in Finland ([email protected])
Attachments:
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
All prisoners get an individual enforcement plan, in order to design the enforcement in an efficient manner and prepare for release. The plan will be individually devised to the circumstances of the individual case. If needed participation in rehabilitation programs, such as resocialization programmes will be offered.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?A suicide prevention manual has been produced. It is public but is only available in Swedish.
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?Each client undergoes a structured risk assessment of suicide upon arrival at the prison or remand prison. A questionnaire forms the basis for the assessment. If necessary, new risk assessments are performed on the client. A new risk assessment may need to be carried out, for example, when the client receives his judgment or when the client receives a negative message from his/her family. If a client is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, has a noticeable withdrawal or is in such poor mental condition that he/she cannot answer the questions in the form, the client will be placed under supervision. In connection with an initial health examination, the nurse also conducts a suicide risk assessment. The nurse also reviews the client's medical history.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Please contact Sigrid Perlman, [email protected] for more information.
At the moment it is not been developed and applied a specialized programme for prevention of the risk of suicide among inmates. A methodology for initial diagnostics is implemented and used in places of deprivation of liberty in the admission of offenders to an objective risk assessment of relapse and harm. In stages in all custodies was introduced the diagnostic and compatibility tool in placement developed by means of experts by the Prison Service of United Kingdom – twinning light project BG2007/IB/JH/03UE/TWL.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?A methodology for initial diagnostics was elaborated for the admission of offenders and diagnostic tools to assess objectively the risk of harm. Methodological handbooks on suicide prevention and self-injuries in prisons and custodies are used for executive officers, inspectors of social activities and educational work, and guards approved by the General Director of General Directorate „Execution of Sentences“.
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?In annual curricula of the custodies are planned obligatory training sessions with security surveillance staff to identify suicide actions, behaviour of detainees and respective actions of the employees, as well as providing first aid for suicide and self-harm attempts. In these training sessions takes part also the medical staff of the custodies and are used employees – psychologists. Depending on the degree of the suicide risk and self-harm it is reported to the relevant head, as the entire surveillance and security staff is briefed daily during the instructions. The way and actions of the security and surveillance staff in suicidal attempts is laid down in the Instructions for the peculiarities of the posts in the custodies, as there is set out a separate part „Actions in particular cases“. Employees of the surveillance and security staff regularly conduct classes along these lines.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?The psychologist of the prison/custody. In General Directorate „Execution of Sentences“ there are not resocialization programmes for suicide prevention. Risk offenders are placed in a reception area, where they are assessed for risk. Regarding the questions related to the prevention of risk suicide in custodies, information of competence can be received by the employees of Department „Psychological Laboratory“ of General Directorate „Execution of Sentences“, who have high competences in this area and will be able to answer any questions related to the subject.
The correctional facilities in the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (MV) see a special obligation to ensure the integrity of detainees. This applies in particular to prisoners on remand and new prisoners, who are often in exceptional mental and emotional states. In the correctional facilities of the country M-V, a suicide risk is recorded in a standardized manner as part of the admission process. If necessary, individually adapted security measures are ordered. A state working group on suicide prevention was also set up in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The working group is responsible for the content of the compulsory annual training for suicide prevention for all employees. In addition, scientific findings on the topic are discussed and suicides and self-harming behavior in the business area are discussed in detail. A key focus is also on monitoring the degree of achievement of the required in-house training, which is primarily carried out by the members of the LAG.
Do you have a facilitator’s manual for suicide prevention programme used in custody? Is it publicly available?In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania exists an “Information and information sheet on the detection of suicidality and suicide prevention in the prison system”, which is addressed to all employees working in the prison system. In addition, further regulations were announced in a decree of the Ministry of Justice of August 30, 2017 "Suicide Prevention in the Prison System". The information sheet is attached (#1).
What is the procedure/ instruments to evaluate suicide risk in custody?Suicide risk is initially recorded in a standardized manner as part of the admission process. The psychological condition and any possible risk of suicide are discussed and examined for the first time in the access interview within two hours after admission, but at the latest before the first night confinement with all newly admitted prisoners. An appendix to the access interview called "Screening procedure suicidality" is used in the local correctional facilities. Thereafter, in the access interview, attention should be paid to any information regarding a possible suicidal tendency and, if necessary, an appropriate screening procedure must be carried out. If there are signs of suicide, the prisoners are sent to the psychological service of the institution. This then leads to crisis talks and, if necessary, further interventions.
Who can we contact for more information on suicide risk prevention in custody?Dipl.-Psych. J. Dzienko Justizministerium Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Puschkinstr. 19-21 D-19055 Schwerin Tel.: +49 385 588-3260 | Fax: +49 385 588-3452 E-Mail: [email protected]
Attachments: