Recommendation 132

This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW.

Recommendation

That: 

(a) Police instructions should require that the officer in charge of an outgoing shift draw to the attention of the officer in charge of the incoming shift any information relating to the well being of any prisoner or detainee and, in particular, any medical attention required by any prisoner or detainee; 

(b) A written check list should be devised setting out those matters which should be addressed, both in writing and orally, at the time of any such handover of shift; and 

(c) Police services should assess the need for an appropriate form or process of record keeping to be devised to ensure adequate and appropriate notation of such matters.

Context

At the commencement of Chapter 24.1 the Royal Commission report stated that issues dealing with Police and prison custody deaths would be dealt with separately in different chapters as the issues were quitedistinct. The intention of this recommendation in particular is directed at police as the first receiving point for individuals in custody and is aimed at ensuring appropriate information is available and communicated for the management of that person, and this is achieved in a number of ways.  However, since the time of the RCIADIC, CSNSW has taken on responsibility for some police/court cell locations where custody of a bail refused individual is handed over from NSW Police to CSNSW, CSNSW has responded to this recommendation to the extent that it is relevant.  Recommendation 132 is directed at officers are obligated to inform officers commencing a shift about information relevant to the wellbeing of the inmate and to establish formalised procedures.

Detail of implementation

Recommendation (a)

Justice Health NSW in consultation with the Officer in Charge will provide and arrange all basic health care services and medical attention for inmates in NSW police/court cells. It is the responsibility of Justice Health NSW to ensure that handover of medical information is between Justice Health NSW at Police/Court Cells, the After Hours Nursing Manager (AFNM) and the correctional centre where an inmate is to be escorted too.\

COPP Section 1.1 Reception procedures outlines the procedures for accepting an offender is received into CSNSW custody from NSW Police Force (NSWPF) including: 

• A Custody Management Record (CMR) and Police Transfer docket are obtained from NSWPF. 
• Records and Alerts are check and completed on OIMS.
• Inmates deemed at risk or who have special needs are identified at the earliest opportunity and managed appropriately.

COPP 16.14 Daily Security Reporting 

The DSR system is one of many strategies developed to assist CSNSW to achieve the goals of: 

• Effective security and management of correctional centres / Court Escort Security Units (CESU) facilities
• Corporate systems, policies, and support services to enable the achievement of operational goals and performance targets
• Meeting minimum service specifications.

The Officer in Charge (OIC) conducts a handover at the start/end of each shift. The handover includes updates on:

• The state (number of inmate’s)
• Bed availabilities
• Audio Visual Links (AVL) status (how many are completed/outstanding)
• Any issues requiring follow up/arising from the shift

The Statement of Duties SH18/01 OIC A, B, C Watch the following points are listed:

• Share information on all aspects of your area, including security, case work, programs and the good order and running of your area.
• If relieving in another position conduct a handover, take up the position’s duties and responsibilities. 

Maintain current knowledge of inmate alerts and associations issues.

Recommendations (b) and (c)

COPP Section 1.1. Receptions Procedures, Point 3 Inmate Lodgement and Special Instruction Sheet (IIO) and Lodgement

An admission interview using the IIO form must be conducted by staff with each inmate received into police/court cells and must complete all relevant information, which includes:

• Personal details
• Physical description
• Children
• Emergency contact person
• Next of Kin (if different to emergency contact person) 
• General alerts (including care in placement issues and non-associations)
• Health
• Criminal history and current incarceration details (including custodial history and details of any community-based supervision orders)
• Security matters
• Current offences and charges (including if someone is a child related offender)
• Mental health and substance use history
• Risk of self-harm and/or suicide
• Risk of harm to others 
• Intellectual and physical disabilities
• Prior Australian Defence Force (ADF) service

A New Inmate Lodgement and Special Instruction Sheet (IIO) form must also be completed with a summary of the information and alerts obtained during the interview and assessment of the inmate. This assists in prioritising the movement and placement of inmates. There are only limited circumstances where an IIO may not be completed, and this must be noted to the receiving correctional centre.

A Custody Management Record (CMR) and Police Transfer docket are obtained from NSWPF. 

Records and Alerts are check and completed on OIMS

Inmates deemed at risk or who have special needs are identified at the earliest opportunity and managed appropriately

At the cessation and commencement of each shift a comprehensive changeover between OICs is undertaken relating to operational matters as per locations Statement of duties  

Police/Court Cells staff also utilise:

• Officers Journals 
• Daily logs in A, B & C Watch
• Daily Security Reporting (DSR).
• Security Compliance Journal (SCJ)
• Inmate accommodation journal
• Officer in Charge (OIC) Journal C/B Watch
• OIC Gate Journal 
• Visits Journal
• Clinic Journal
• Reception/Intake Journal

Evidence

• COPP Section 1.1 Reception procedures
• COPP 16.14 Daily Security Reporting