Being in custody can be a difficult time for some people, and it is not unusual for people in prison to sometimes feel that their problems are more than they can deal with. Some people feel so desperate that they may think of harming or even killing themselves. Usually, the very bad time does not last long but while people are struggling we do our best to help and support them.
Prison staff are trained to assist prisoners who are at risk of suicide or self-harm and are able to support and advise them on what help is available. Staff may help to keep someone safe by making sure they have company when needed (a cell mate, a Samaritans-trained Listener, a staff member) and if necessary, that they are observed and spoken with at regular intervals. In this case, the reasons will be carefully explained to them.
To help identify and care for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm, the Prison Service uses a care-planning system called ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody, and Teamwork). ACCT has been in place in all establishments since April 2007. ACCT was introduced to replace the old F2052SH system, and was designed to provide more flexible multi-disciplinary support to prisoners at-risk of harming themselves. The plan encourages staff to work together to provide individual care to prisoners in distress, to help defuse a potentially suicidal crisis or to help individuals with long-term needs (such as those with a pattern of repetitive self-injury) to better manage and reduce their distress.
Prisoners are fully involved in the ACCT process. They first have an interview with a trained Assessor, from which an individual Care Plan is drawn up. They then attend regular Case Reviews, where a Case Manager reviews the care and support they receive. For further information about the ACCT process, please see the related document at the end of this page.
There are numerous agencies and support mechanisms available to prisoners experiencing periods of crisis. Most prisons operate peer support schemes, the most common of these being the Listeners scheme, where prisoners, trained by Samaritans, listen in confidence to other prisoners who feel they need emotional support, for whatever reason.
Further avenues of support available across the prison estate include such things as counselling, access to the Samaritans, help with substance misuse issues, and the input of the Chaplaincy, healthcare professionals and/or mental health in-reach teams. Experience has also shown that prisoners who feel some degree of hopelessness may benefit by involving themselves in prison activities, for example, in education, IT or sport.
If you are worried that someone you know in prison may be thinking of harming themselves, if they are at risk of harm from others, or even at risk of harming others, then please let the prison know.
You can do this by:
Informing a member of staff when you are on a visit
Telling a member of staff in the visitors centre
Telephoning the Duty Governor to tell him/her of your concerns
Calling the Prisoners' Families' Helpline, who will contact the prison on your behalf
Or:
Some prisons run confidential ‘at-risk hotlines' where you can leave a message on an answer machine explaining your concerns. These will be advertised when you visit the prison, or ask a member of staff.
What signs could you look for?
Your relative or friend might be unusually quiet, withdrawn or just not interested in things
They might stop taking care of themselves
They might seem lonely and isolated
They may be finding it very difficult to come to terms with their situation
They might feel despair and that things are out of their control
They may feel many different emotions—anger, despair, hopelessness.
Where prisoners have families and friends and they are supportive of the prisoner, they can play an important part in helping their relative overcome their difficulties and feel more hopeful about life. Families, carers and friends can help by:
Providing support for the prisoner during their contact with him/her
Giving the prison any information that they think would be of use to staff in supporting him/her
Telling the prison if you know that the person has experienced suicidal feelings or has self-harmed in the past.
Listen for access keys or click here to skip to main page content. Prison information alt i, advice & support alt s, careers & jobs alt n, news alt n, resource centre alt r, about the service alt a Skip to main page content
