NCJ Number
143085
Date Published
1991
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper outlines the strategy which the English Prison Service is using to provide a comprehensive, nationwide support system for prison staff who have been involved in incidents and who may be needing help.
Abstract
The kinds of prison incidents likely to require staff care are hostage-taking, assaults on staff, attempted suicide, suicide, deaths, concerted inmate misconduct, attempted escape from escort, escape from escort, and fires. After reviewing the history of the development of a Prison Service scheme for post-incident staff services, the paper outlines the scheme. It has a three-tier approach that consists of a local care team, inservice counseling, and specialist professional counseling. Each local care team consists of a multidisciplinary group of staff selected for their personal qualities and commitment to the care and well-being of their colleagues. Care teams establish procedures to make contact with all staff involved in an incident, to offer care and support, and to refer staff to needed services. Inservice counselors, which consist of chaplains, medical officers, and psychologists, provide short-term counseling expected to consist of not more than three or four sessions. Where more prolonged or specialist counseling is required, clients will be referred to an external counselor. The paper also discusses the effects of the 1990 disturbances at Strangeways Prison on staff care services, the role of psychologists in the care-team strategy, referrals, and training needs of the care team strategy.