Recommendation - Sussex Police, May 2021
Learning was identified from an investigation where a woman was arrested by Sussex Police and afflicted injury to herself while in custody.
IOPC reference
Recommendations
The IOPC recommends that Sussex should:
a) inform custody officers and staff of the risk of allowing detainees to keep face masks in cells. Such items can be modified to form a ligature which can be used to cause injury to a detainee intent on causing harm to themselves.
and
b) inform custody officers and staff that the risk of a detainee modifying and using a face mask to cause harm to themselves should be considered as part of their risk assessment when deciding whether to withhold any items from a detainee.
This recommendation is made following an IOPC investigation into an incident in Custody where a low risk detainee managed to create a ligature using the elastic from a surgical face mask. The woman was wearing a face mask when she entered the custody suite. During the initial risk assessment the woman disclosed that she suffered from mental health issues but that she had not previously tried to harm herself. During the risk assessment her jewellery was removed to prevent harm to herself or other people, but she was allowed to keep a face mask in which she took into her cell. She was placed on level one observations, requiring checks every 60 minutes.
Do you accept the recommendation?
Yes
Accepted action:
Both recommendations have been passed to all DHC and staff by CI Head of Custody on 21/10/20.
Re-affirmed with Strategic Custody Inspector on 1/6/21 and recommendation adopted.