Jacob Billington
The coroner's concerns
1. high risk seriously unwell prisoners released without key agencies knowing where they are
“Management of release and lack of interagency working”
2. lack of accessible GP and CMHT details for prisoners
“Systmone Details of the perpetrators GP and local CMHT were not recorded in an easily accessible format”
3. absence of cross agency guidance for release of high risk prisoners with mental health difficulties
“Cross agency guidance regarding release of high risk prisoners with mental health difficulties at their sentence end date”
4. role not fully understood and information sharing not effective
“West Midlands MAPPA has a prison discharge coordinator role”
Responses
2024-0136-Response-from-BSMHFT.pdf ↗· Birmingham and Solihull NHS Foundation Trust
Stated action · 10th April 2024
“We acknowledge the need for a sustainable engagement strategy with the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Currently the Prison Discharge Coordinator acts as the main link with the MAPPA process.”
Stated action
“The Standard Operating Procedure has been revised. In addition to this there is an intention to review the Job Description of this role and understand in more depth the scope of what this role can achieve currently or will need to achieve in the future including any potential additional resource requirements.”
Stated action
“A comprehensive review of the current interaction process between the Prison In-reach team and the CMHT is planned. This will involve a detailed gap analysis to determine areas needing strengthening. We aim to develop a clear plan to enhance this interface, thereby improving continuity of care and ensuring that individuals receive the necessary support as they transition from prison to community-based services.”
Stated action · next month
“We anticipate we will have a decision around this within the next month.”
Stated action
“the Trust has improved the structure and supervision surrounding the prison discharge coordinator roles, such that the practitioners have weekly supervision with opportunity to escalate cases of concern, and an improved system of referrals and discharge procedures, reflected in the updated standard operating protocol.”
Stated action
“RECONNECT is a vulnerability service supporting multiple service user needs including accessing mental health support. They are based within HMP Birmingham however are a national service and accept referrals from Out of Area prisons for prison leavers relocating to Birmingham and Solihull. Additionally, prison leavers can be referred up to 28 days post release by probation offender managers, other professionals, family/friends or self-referrals.”
2024-0136-Response-from-HMPPS.pdf ↗· His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service
2024-0136-Response-from-Swansea-Bay-University-Health-Board.pdf ↗· Swansea Bay University Health Board
Stated action
“Board Swansea University Health Board recognise that there is not a shared database for interagency working in place across England and Wales prison establishments to enable the transfer and access to key information by agencies coordinating the discharge of high risk individuals.”
2024-0136-Response-from-West-Midlands-Police.pdf ↗· West Midlands Police