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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.
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Introduction: HMPPS is looking into staff capability across England and Wales. We are reviewing our procedures in regards to staff security and wellbeing, as such, we are seeking any information your state has on ensuring your staff are healthy, competent and capable of doing the job safely and to the best of their ability.
All SPS employees are required to undergo a Lifestyle Screening test every 3 years. The purpose of Lifestyle Screening is: • The promotion of general health in individuals; • To promote a feeling of wellbeing and being valued within an organisation; • To provide anonymised statistical results which allow an employer to prioritise health promotion initiatives. Process A standardised Lifestyle Screening process has been developed in conjunction with our Occupational Health Providers (OHP). This consists of a personal, confidential health interview and assessment conducted by an experienced Occupational Health Nurse. It will generally be carried out in the place of employment. The assessment aims to: • Identify existing and potential individual health problems, providing advice on appropriate action, including referral to the GP if necessary; • Provide information and advice to staff aimed at reducing the risk of existing and potential health problems on an individual basis; and • Provide SPS management with anonymised health information, which assists in the further development of a proactive Occupational Health Strategy. Lifestyle Screening in the SPS is designed to provide advice about general levels of health and wellbeing in order to support our aim of maintaining a personal work-life balance and the effective delivery of the employee’s role in the organisation. Lifestyle Screening will be universally applied to all SPS staff. The screening process will consist of the following: Lifestyle Questionnaire: The Lifestyle Questionnaire gives a holistic i.e. physical, psychological and social, assessment of the employee’s health which helps the individual and the Occupational Health Nurse identify aspects of lifestyle which may be putting a person at risk of future health problems. The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes to complete and asks for information about personal and family medical history, weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels and about lifestyle areas such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and stress. At the end of the consultation the Nurse will provides with a confidential report regarding health status. All confidential medical information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence and this information will not be released to SPS Management without the consent of the individual employee. Blood pressure check: Blood pressure is measured with an upper arm or wrist monitor. High blood pressure affects over 16 million people in the UK. The higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. High blood pressure rarely has any symptoms. The only way to know about high blood pressure is to have it measured. It can be treated and sometimes prevented and there are many things that can be done to help lower it. Heart rate: This check involves measuring the resting heart rate. Body Mass Index check: Body mass index (BMI) is measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to both adult men and women. A rise in sedentary lifestyles means the number of people who are obese has tripled. People who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower risk of developing those diseases. Lung Function Test: Lung function tests are performed to diagnose breathing problems and to monitor how well lungs are working. Non Fasting Blood Cholesterol Test: This test is optional as it is invasive i.e. requires a blood sample to determine cholesterol levels. The higher the results the greater risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke. As well as carrying out lifestyle screening, the Occupational Health Nurse will provide lifestyle advice on areas such as diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption. Lifestyle Screening is administered by our Occupational Health Providers every 3 years. Lifestyle Screening provides a snap shot of the individual’s general wellbeing however, this does not replace regular consultations with a GP. Indeed the individual will be advised of any issues that may arise from the health screen and advised, by our Occupational Health Providers, to discuss these further with a GP. If required our Occupational Health Providers will also arrange a follow up appointment with the individual.
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?The overriding objective of the Lifestyle Screening process is to help build and maintain a healthy workforce, a healthy workplace and a healthy organisation. Therefore, as a process, it has been designed to provide a series of clearly defined procedures for the employee, the employer and the Occupational Health Provider to engage in. Results from the Lifestyle Screening process will be fed back to our Occupational Health Provider. If the screening results indicate the individual requires Occupational Health Provider follow up, an appointment will be made with an Occupational Health Nurse or Doctor. The employee will be given further advice regarding aspects of lifestyle, which may be putting the individual at risk of future health problems. As part of this process, the employee may be advised to attend a GP or an evaluation of the individual’s ability to fulfil his/her full contractual role.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?All elements of the process apply to every SPS employee every 3 years.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?The employee will be advised by our OHP on appropriate measures to take; in addition the individual may also be advised to attend a GP and be given a follow up appointment with our OHP. If necessary, there will be an evaluation of the individual’s ability to fulfil his/her full contractual role.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?Lifestyle Screening is considered to be functioning in a satisfactory manner.
Recruit Prison Officers must complete a medical examination for entry into the IPS. The physical competency test for entry to the IPS is as follows: (i) Running / carrying tests Aerobic Test: This tests cardiovascular endurance, and simulates running around a building, with constant changes of direction. This test involves running over and back between two points 15 metres apart. The test involves 40 continuous shuttle runs to give a total distance of 600 metres. You must complete this test in 210 seconds (3 min 30 seconds) or less. Anaerobic Test: This tests your ability to sprint, and simulates the response to an emergency. This test involves 7 shuttle runs (i.e. 7 x 15 metres) done as quickly as possible. You must complete this test in 35 seconds or less. Fire-extinguisher carry test: This tests your ability to carry a standard fire extinguisher through a building in an emergency. You should carry a standard fire extinguisher, weighing 14 Kg, 30 m (two shuttles) without dropping it. You must complete this test in 30 seconds or less. (ii) Strength / power tests These tests assess upper body strength, grip and hold strength required in control and restraint techniques. Seated bench press: You will complete 5 measured bench-presses using a concept-II ergo meter. The average bench press over the 5 should be 34 Kg or higher. Seated bench pull: You will complete 5 measured bench-pulls using the concept-II ergo meter. The average bench pull over the 5 should be 34 Kg or higher. Grip Strength: This is measured using a standard grip strength ergo meter. You will be asked to squeeze as hard as you can with right and left hands (you will get two attempts with each hand) Minimum strength to pass: Dominant hand 32 kg Non-dominant hand 30 kg Shield Hold: The test will require a standard riot shield, of about 6 Kg to be held in from of the body in a stipulated position. The shield must be held in position for a minimum of 60 seconds.
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?Prison Officers don't have to complete any further physical competency testing after they enter the organisation. However, they can be referred for medical assessment if there is a doubt as to their medical suitability.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?There is one physical competency standard for all operational grades: male and female. There is no physical competency standard for administrative grades. Both operational and administrative grades must be deemed suitable on health grounds to join the IPS.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?Staff can be referred to a medical officer employed by the state who can review the medical health of any member of staff. Staff who do not meet the standard of health outlined can be forced to retire on health grounds.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?Our standards are always under review.
Attachments:
Uniformed staff is subject to annual thorough medical check-ups. Annual fitness tests for uniformed staff: 1. Shuttle running 10x10 or running 100 m (both men and women); 2. Push-ups 1,5 min or pull-ups (men); 3. Push-ups 1,5 min (women); 4. Running 1000 m or 3000 m (men); 5. Running 1000 m or 2000 m (women)
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?Medical and physical fitness requirements are described in the Compendium of Health Requirements approved by the Health minister.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?There are 3 levels of physical fitness: pre-recruiters have to fit the 2 level, officers on the reserve list – 3 level, uniformed staff – depending on their functions. Scores decline by different levels and different age groups of uniformed staff.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?Provided an officer fails to comply with physical fitness and health requirements he/she is given one more chance, in case of a re-failure an extraordinary assessment of his/her overall performance is organized.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?The new revised edition of the requirements for physical tests came into force on 1 February 2019.
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Pre-employment: the candidate completes a health questionnaire which is screened by an Occupational Health* nurse on the day of the Assessment and Recruitment Centre (ARC) day. The candidate will also have tests for eyesight, blood pressure, body mass index and hearing before they participate in the physical fitness test which is managed by Ian and his Fitness Team. If this stage is passed, the candidate progresses to a full online pre-placement Occupational health questionnaire . If there are concerns about fitness to work, an assessment is arranged with an Occupational Health practitioner and a fitness outcome given to the recruitment team. If the declared health issue is complex, OH may need to request a GP or Specialist report as ‘further medical evidence’ to assist the decision making process on fitness for work. During employment: Annual fitness test and Control and Restraint training. Ian Tune can elaborate on this part. If a prison officer works regular night shifts, under the Working Time Regulations, they will be referred by their line manager to OH for an annual online health assessment. The questionnaire is routed back to OH who will screen it and if there are any health issues identified OH will contact the employee for OH assessment and forward the fitness outcome to the line manager. If there are health issues this will result in a management referral. This is where, if there is a concern about health impacting on work capacity, line managers are able to refer to our OH service for independent assessment and advice which is returned via a confidential OH report, if the employee gives explicit consent. During employment, the Fitness team also run health and wellbeing days for all employees where employee attendance is voluntary. The day offers blood pressure testing, cholesterol , blood sugar, body composition. This is a motivational intervention sponsored by HMPPS to help employees to ‘know their numbers’ and gives health advice to stay fit and healthy. It is not linked to capability or performance but is a very useful wellbeing endeavour. *HMPPS OH provision is outsourced.
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?For health requirements, please see attached guidance.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?Not for occupational health.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?Management (Local prison HR, line manager, Governor) will refer to Occupational Health for an opinion on fitness for work and for advice on any reasonable adjustment in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 can be implemented to support the staff member to work safety and productively. Internal HR procedures such as informal/formal absence review meetings, capability hearings will take place.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?The occupational health medical standards were reviewed in 2018 by HMPPS incumbent OH provider’s Consultant Occupational Physician. A review is planned for 2021.
Attachments:
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Health test is carried out according with Cabinet Regulation No.970 signed on 21st November 2006 "Regulations on the Necessary Health Condition and Psychological Qualities, and the Order of Testing the Health Condition and Psychological Qualities of Officials with Special Service Ranks and Official Candidates Working in Institutions of the System of the Ministry of the Interior and the Prisons Administration" (hereinafter – Regulations No.970); however, the fitness test is carried out according with Cabinet Regulations No.288 signed on 28th May 2013 "Regulations on Fitness Requirements of Officials with Special Service Ranks and Official Candidates Working in Institutions of the System of the Ministry of the Interior and the Prisons Administration" (hereinafter – Regulations No.288).
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?According with Section 2 of Regulations No.970, a person who wants to apply for Service (hereinafter – Candidate) undergoes health test according with the order and requirements set for the Candidates. For an official who runs for a specific position the health test is carried out according with the order and requirements set for Officials. In accordance with the specific Service duties, positions are divided in three categories. However, the fitness standard requirements are set by the Regulations No.288.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?According with Section 5 of Regulations No.970, to set the general requirements for service, positions are divided in categories, by taking into account the specific service duties. Positions are divided in three categories. According with Section 2 of the Regulations No.288, fitness requirements are set in accordance with the officials' gender, age and position. In this case the positions are divided in three categories. In Latvian Prison Administration (hereinafter – LPA) the position categories are set according with LPA Order No.35 signed on 30th January 2017 "About position groups of officials with special service ranks" and LPA Order No.140 signed on 12th June 2013 "About appropriate fitness test requirements assigned for position groups of officials with special service ranks".
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?According with Section 30 and 31 of the Regulations No.970, after the assessment of official's health condition and examination results, the commission issues the appropriate resolution: 1. suitable for service and position; 2. unsuitable for position, but suitable for service in other positions (indicating) in the specific position group; 3. unsuitable for service. Commission may indefinitely postpone issuing the appropriate resolution regarding the assessment of official's health condition compliance with the requirements for service, if it is found that additional examination is needed or it is necessary to continue treatment of an illness. In this case the commission sets a time for repeated assessment and issues the resolution after the treatment is finished, condition has stabilised or the treatment results are ascertained. In the case that the fitness test is not passed, it is allowed to take it again.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?Modernisation of staff tests and standards in Latvia is not currently considered, as on 31st May 2013, Regulations No.288 came into force. Regulations No.288 was approved to eliminate the problems identified in the practice of fitness test assessment procedure of several years.
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Staff are assessed by Occupational Health Services (OHS) prior to taking up post
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?Staff will be referred to OHS if they are absent from work. Indications of when they are fit to return to work is provided.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?Staff taking up Night Custody Officer roles undergo a night workers assessment. Throughout their career staff may be assessed by OHS if they choose to apply for certain posts e.gs Tactical Response Group
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?In July 2017, NIPS launched a consultation paper “Prison 2020: driving continuous improvement in the Northern Ireland Prison Service”. Through analysis of the consultation feedback, NIPS developed a 3 year continuous improvement programme across four areas: People, Services, Infrastructure and Partnerships. A key theme of the People strand was Employee Wellbeing and we have now developed a bespoke wellbeing programme for prisons staff entitled Prisons Well. The programme will provide staff with access to a range of support for their physical and mental wellbeing needs.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?see answer above
In order to be appointed to a prison service official’s position, it is mandatory for the person to undergo a medical (including psychological) evaluation and perform a test of physical aptitude (fitness test). While in service, the fitness test has to be performed once a year (prison’s escort guards and members of the prion’s armed unit have to perform the fitness test twice a year). The medical evaluation, however, has to be passed every three years. In case of justified need, the medical evaluation may be conducted more frequently. Contractual workers of prisons, such as the medical staff and chefs, do not have to take these tests.
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?Health standards for the officials of prison service 1) Physical and mental capacity to carry out the duties of prison service. 2) Absence of any health condition that could jeopardise the life or health of the official in question or any other person. 3) Ability to carry out the duties in the following situations or in the occurrence of the following conditions: • situations of high emotional strain, danger, conflict, stress and psycho-emotional strain; • working in shifts (including irregular shifts); • uneven physical strain; • having to wear clothing that disrupts natural thermal regulation of the body (including bulletproof vests); • various workplace hazards; • working with computer screens; • ability to distinguish various silent and loud noises from background noises; • ability to carry and use a weapon; • ability to use communication equipment. 4) Normal field of vision, being able to see colours and to see in dim light. 5) Sufficient hearing for telephone and radio communication, and being able to hear alarms. Fitness standards for officials of prison service The basic fitness standards consist of three exercises: push-ups, crunches and a 3000 metre run. The number of repetitions for each exercise and the time limit of the run differ for officials based on their position, duties, gender and age. There is a special set of exercises put together for the members of the prison’s armed unit and prison’s escort guards, which will be explained under question 3 of this questionnaire.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?Firstly, prison service officials who supervise prisoners of the control-unit, have the same health standards as other prison service officials, but their fitness test is more demanding. Although the fitness test consists of the same three exercises, the minimum requirements of these exercises differ from the standard prison service official’s requirements. (More push-ups and crunches and a shorter time limit for the 3000 metre run). Secondly, members of the prison’s armed unit and prison’s escort guards also have the same health standards but have a different fitness test. This fitness test consists of pull-ups, kettlebell snatches, crunches, bench pressing, squatting and 3000 metre run. Total points are given for each exercise based on the person’s performance. Four best scores of the five strength exercises and the points given for the run are added and the official’s aptitude is assessed based on the total sum of the points accumulated.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?In case of a fitness test failure, the official is given a second chance to perform the test. If a person still does not meet the required fitness standards, the person in question is usually transferred to a position that has lower fitness standards. If the official does not meet the lowest fitness standards, the person can no longer continue working as a prison service official and is usually offered a contractual job that does not require the mandatory fitness requirements of a prison service official. In case of a relative medical contraindication, the official can be sent to a specialist for further analysis to determine, whether the official can continue working as a prison service official. In case of an absolute medical contraindication, the official can no longer continue working in the prison service as prison service official. In those cases the person is usually offered a contractual job within the prison system, that does not require the mandatory health requirements of a prison service official.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?No certain changes have been agreed upon at the moment.
Before the recruitment in the service Within the recruitment procedure, an applicant for recruitment (uniformed staff) is subjected to an assessment of health status and a physical capabilities check. The assessment and decision-making on the medical fitness of candidates is performed by a doctor with specialization in the specialist field of medical assessment, based on medical examinations (internal examination, dental examination, skin examination, surgical examination, neurological examination, psychiatric examination, eye examination, dNU examination, gynecological examination). The physical capabilities check is carried out in the form of a fitness test from the following disciplines: pull-ups on the horizontal bar or sit-ups repeatedly, jump from place to the distance, run for 100 meters or 10 x 10 meter “boat run”, 12 minute run (Cooper test). Methodology of check disciplines is determined by the internal regulation. The physical capabilities check shall not be carried out by a citizen who has reached the age of 50 (men) and the age of 40 (women). During the duration of the service Periodic preventive medical examination is performed once a year in the following areas: complex physical examination, blood taking with examination of erythrocyte sedimentation, chemical examination of urine by indicator paper, visual acuity examination, color perception examination and orientational hearing examination, electrocardiography examination. Physical capabilities check is carried out in the form of a fitness test every year. The physical capabilities check shall not be carried out by the prison officer who has reached the age of 50 (men) and the age of 40 (women).
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?A health classification is determined according to the list of diseases and related health problems elaborated according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases – 10th Revision. The performance of the tested applicants and the prison officers, achieved in the individual disciplines of physical capabilities check, shall be evaluated according to the points of the scoring tables. The sum of points from all tested disciplines determines the evaluation. The applicant or the prison officer does not fulfill a physical capabilities check, if he has not achieved the required sum of points from all disciplines or has not obtained at least one point in each discipline.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?Yes, when deciding on the medical fitness, there will be assessed separately applicants/ prison officers who should be/ are included in the direct service and applicants who will be classified as specialists (doctors, psychologists, etc.) in the service in the prison service. When physical capabilities check, the scoring tables of individual disciplines are differentiated according to the gender and age of applicants/ prison officers.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?The prison officer who has stopped to meet the requirements of medical fitness or physical capabilities, may be dismissed from the service having in mind the legally set procedure.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?The scope of the physical test and methodology of physical capabilities check disciplines are regularly reviewed on the basis of knowledge and interdepartmental consultation (police corps, army, customs administration, etc.).
Physical Efficiency Test Eligible applicants will be subject to a Physical Efficiency Test to ensure fitness to Correctional Officer standards. Applicants will be checked for height in order to ensure that they meet the requirements. The Physical Efficiency Test will be held under a Selection Board appointed by the Director General Correctional Services. The minimum standards of the Physical Efficiency Test will comprise the following three components: 1 Mile Run Age Males Females 18 - 31 10 mins 12 mins 32 + 10.5 mins 12.5 mins Push-Ups (Repetitions) Age Males Females 18 - 31 15 10 32 + 13 8 Sit-Ups (Repetitions) Age Males Females 18 - 31 25 20 32 + 20 15 Candidates must at least attain the minimum standard in each component of the Physical Efficiency Test to be considered as having gained a pass in the Physical Efficiency Test. Candidates who fail in one component will be allowed to re-sit that one particular component within a week from the first complete component. Only candidates who pass in all the components of the physical test will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?same as above
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?no
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?They will be visited by our Medical Doctor and urged to use the Officers gym in order to reach the required standard
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?These tests have been revised this year
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There is a fitness test in the entrance examination to degree courses of the Training Institute for Prison and Probation Services. Muscular strength and agility are tested and the applicant can get extra points or result “fail”.
What health and fitness standards are prison staff required to achieve to be assessed as competent to do their role?There are no tests or requirements for physical condition during employment. After a compulsory medical the doctor can give a statement of suitability.
Are there different standards and tests for different prison staff ie. specialist staff? If so, how do these differ?Supervision and guidance staff is tested during training. Other staff groups (e.g. specialists) are not tested when recruited. Suitability of supervision and guidance staff is evaluated during employment by occupational health care doctor. Other staff groups are not evaluated.
What does your state do if staff do not meet the minimum health and fitness standards necessary to do their role?Supervision and guidance staff is tested during training. Other staff groups (e.g. specialists) are not tested when recruited. Suitability of supervision and guidance staff is evaluated during employment by occupational health care doctor. Other staff groups are not evaluated.
Is your state considering modernising these tests and standards for staff and why/ why not?No, because no need has been identified.