Inspection of HM Prison Service and Scottish Prison Service 2009/2010

Summary

Guidance on conducting inspections of HM Prison Service (HMPS) and Scottish Prison Service in 2009/2010.

Aim

Better identification and management of risks to employees and the public to reduce incidence of injury and ill health.

Justification

Coordinated inspection of the Prison Service has not been considered a priority for a number of years. Serious injuries relating to slips and trips and MSD’s continue to occur to employees. Investigation of these incidents frequently points to a mismatch between what is expected at the centre of HMPS and what happens in practice locally. There are a number of nationally reoccurring issues (See PSS community pages) which are being tackled centrally. Visits by inspectors are also an important part of identifying current areas of poor performance across the prison service, to inform these central interventions with HMPS and future intervention strategies.

Audience/industry

Area managers and other senior managers in local HMPS and Scottish Prison Service management units including prison governors.
Prison Officers Association health and safety representatives.

Messages

Raise awareness of the importance of effective health and safety management amongst local and senior managers.  HSE wish to identify the current health and safety challenges within prisons to inform central interventions with HMPS.

Activities required

Inspection of a small sample of poor performing prisons by each of FOD’s divisions will provide valuable inputs to the Public Services Sector. The inspections will increase pressure on local management units to improve management of heath and safety, and importantly provide evidence of current performance to support central interventions. Prisons should be selected on the basis of local knowledge. At any intervention, inspectors are asked to consider:

• Arrangements for dealing with cell fires
• Worker involvement
• Slips and trips
• MSD’s
• Stress management
• Passive smoking

The sector will be pleased to discuss any proposed local initiatives.

Timing

From April 2009 to September 2010- to ensure that results are available to informed planning for 2010/11.

For information

Inspectors should also be aware of discussions taking place centrally on a number of issues such as tackling cell fires, passive smoking and slips and trips – up to date information on these topics is recorded on the Community pages.

Diversity

Inspectors should be aware of who (in terms of diversity e.g. men, women, disabled etc) is the target group in the sector they are dealing with. Give consideration to, and factor into the approach, any issues that may surround this audience such as literacy issues, English as a second language and disability (access needs).
The Diversity pages give more information on these areas and others, including the Communications and EIA toolkits.