Recommendation 126

This recommendation is assigned to CSNSW and Justice Health NSW.

Recommendation

That in every case of a person being taken into custody, and immediately before that person is placed in a cell, a screening form should be completed and a risk assessment made by a police officer or such other person, not being a police officer, who is trained and designated as the person responsible for the completion of such forms and the assessment of prisoners. The assessment of a detainee and other procedures relating to the completion of the screening form should be completed with care and thoroughness.

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 quire distinct. Since the time of the RCIADIC report, Corrective Services has taken operational responsibility for some police/court cells. While this recommendation is directed at Police, Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) has provided a response as far as relevant.

The Royal Commission acknowledged the importance of custody screening forms and highlighted the positive forms in use in NSW at the time. Recommendation 126 is directed at implementing screening forms across jurisdictions.

Details of implementation

When any person is received into custody the New Inmate Lodgement & Special Instruction Sheet is completed, which includes the Inmate Identification and Observation (IIO). The IIO is completed by the Court Escort and Security Unit (CESU)Officers by hand summarised on an electronic Lodgement form which sent to notify correctional centre staff of any issues relating to newly received inmates This document covers a range of questions including:
Status and offence particulars

• Immediate temporary management or placement issues
• Immediate medical concerns
• Personal description
• Emergency contact and next of kin
• Dependents
• General alerts
• Cultural background
• Current wellbeing
• Criminal history
• Current incarceration
• Privacy statement
• Health history
• Officer visual assessment for self-harm

Shifts in court cells are 24 hours to account for any offenders being received in different times.

As noted above, CSNSW and Justice Health and have implemented a detailed screening system for all inmates entering correctional centres. CSNSW reviews and updates its Procedures and Screening forms regularly.  Justice Health & CSNSW Offender Services and Programs staff (OSP) undertake a comprehensive assessment prior to classification, the ISQ.

Training required to conduct screening and to administer the ISQ:

• Complete the Reception, Screening, Induction and Orientation (RSIO) e-learning on the CSNSW Learning Management System.
• Complete the one-day RSIO training provided by Coordinator, RSIO, Services Development and Integrity Team (SDIT) or an officer delegated by Manager SDIT and
• Be paired with an experienced screener to observe three separate screenings conducted by an experienced screener, and
• Conduct three screenings and send each MIN, separately, to Coordinator, RSI for review and written feedback.

An Inmate Identification and Observation form is used to note any immediate needs of newly admitted inmates at court cells. (See Rec 125)

On reception into Correctional Centres, including transit centres such as Kariong, Surry Hills and Amber Laurel inmates undergo a medical screening by Justice Health staff using the Reception Screening Assessment.

Within 36 hours (or next working day) of arriving at a Correctional Centre, inmates undergo another screening using the Intake Screening Questionnaire (ISQ). This assessment assesses the immediate risks and needs and concerns of the inmate.
There are 87 questions with the following sections:

• Pre-source screening
• Personal information
• General
• AVO/DVO issues
• Embassy concerns
• Immediate concerns for children
• Concerns for family/property
• Centrelink identification
• Disability
• Current accommodation
• Stress factors – historical and current
• Alcohol – other drugs and gambling
• Self-harm risk factors
• Integration/exit planning needs
• Information for offender
• Visual assessment
• Screener checklist

Several referrals resulting from this screening is prioritised by CSNSW OS&P staff and Risk Intervention Teams.

The ISQ is regularly updated, including in response to coronial recommendations.