Department of Corrective Services

The Department has a number of strategies in place to help prevent suicides in custody.

Following the introduction of these strategies, the rate of suicides in prisons has remained relatively low.

The At Risk Management System is based on a strategy developed in the United Kingdom called Caring for the Suicidal in Custody (1994).

Suicide has complex motivations. A person who suicides in prison may be motivated by a sense of hopelessness and a total inability to cope with circumstances.

Even with the Department's progressive preventive measures, suicide may still be triggered in a stressful situation. The complexity of deaths in custody has necessitated a multi-disciplinary approach to prevention.

Key initiatives include:

• appointment of a Manager Suicide Prevention who develops and refines suicide prevention strategies
• risk-assessment on reception
• detailed medical at-risk screening and referrals to specialists or to programs
• an expanded assessment process for remandees which includes developing a detailed management plan within 72 hours of arrival, outlining placement, significant sentence dates, activities/studies, release plans and other items relevant to the prisoner
• “gatekeeper” suicide prevention training for staff
• encouraging friends and family to provide support
• shared responsibility and accountability through daily meetings of the prisoner risk assessment group and the use of the at-risk management system
• prisoner support officers at each prison fulfil a traditional welfare officer function
• peer support prisoners encourage self-help; and access to Samaritan services.

Crisis care units:

• provide care for prisoners in the acutely and chronically at-risk group who are not considered safe in mainstream prison
• have a psychologist, a mental health nurse specialist and selected prison officers
• are located at Casuarina and Hakea prisons and at Bandyup Women's Prison.

Other measures aimed at reducing stress include:

• increased use of authorised computers for study and recreation
• education centres are offering accredited programs
• additional recreational activities
• programs such as cognitive skills which teach prisoners and staff topics such as conflict resolution, value systems, critical thinking, self-control and problem-solving
• procedures for informing prisoners of significant decisions, eg notice of a Prisoners Review Board hearing
• rules and procedures for addressing bullying
• a grievance process for prisoners that enables them to resolve issues at the local level
• an integrated approach allows the Department to plan reform of prison culture in general, as well as to enhance the well-being and rehabilitation prospects of prisoners.

Manager Suicide Prevention
Westralia Square
Level 4, 141 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9264 6316
Facsimile: (08) 9264 6439