Custodial Management Health Risk Awareness

Question 1

When does custody start?

Answer 1

the moment a person is arrested or detained

Question 2

When does custody end?

Answer 2

after they are released or transferred into the care of another agency, individual or family member

Question 3

Levels of consciousness

Answer 3

Alert
* able to engage in a coherent conversation

Voice/Drowsy or confused
* responds to voice and able to reply
* may need some assistance to walk
beware the level of consciousness may change over time due to intoxication or medical complications

Pain/Partially responsive
* responds to pain only (i.e. nail-bed pressure)
treat this as a medical emergency and arrange for the person to be taken to hospital

Unresponsive
* does not respond to any stimulation
this is a medical emergency and immediate hospitalisation is required

Question 4

Types of checks
3 types that can be carried out

Answer 4

Observation check
* observe through cell view port to check detainee’s well-being
if unable to confirm this, complete a verbal check

Verbal check
* verbally rouse the detainee to establish well-being
if there is no response complete a physical check

Physical check
* enter the cell and establish well-being

Question 5

Monitoring levels and frequency of checks

Answer 5

Not in need of specific care
* the detainee must be checked at least every two hours

In need of care and frequent monitoring
* the detainee must be checked at least 5 times per hour at irregular intervals and variety of types of checks

In need of care and constant monitoring
* the detainee must be directly observed without interruption

Question 6

The Police duty of care
Crimes Act 1961
Section 151

Answer 6

Everyone who has actual care or charge of a person who is a vunerable adult and who is unable to provide himself or herself with neccessaries is under a legal duty-

• to provide that person with neccessaries; and
• to take reasonable steps to protect that person from injury

Question 7

Responsibility to prevent suicide
Crimes Act 1961
Section 41

Answer 7

Police must take all practical and reasonable steps to prevent the suicide of detainees.

Everyone is justified in using necessary reasonable force to prevent the commission of suicide or the commission of an offence likely to cause immediate and serious injury to that person

Question 8

People in custody
Police responsibilities

Answer 8

• detainees care & security
• conduct H&S evaluation to identify warning signs
• evaluate whether health warning signs are present or not
• put in place a H&S plan
• engage a health professional where warning signs indicate the person needs urgent medical attention
• provide assistance to the health professional to take a mentally disordered or distressed person to a place, preferably a health facility, where they can be assessed by a medical practitioner

Question 9

People in custody
Health Professionals responsibilities

Answer 9

• carry out medical/psychological assessment of detainee
• assess whether a person requires urgent medical care or is at risk of suicide
• advise police of any medical/psychological requirements to provide care for the detainee
• modify H&S management plan where necessary

Question 10

MOAH
what does this mean?

Answer 10

• Remove the Means
  searching for and removing items of risk (shoes, belts, ties)
• Reduce the Opportunity
  -consider if there is need for a suicide resistant gown
  -monitoring of detainee
  -don’t leave anything in the cell which they can use to cause self-harm
  -remove meal rubbish quickly
• Reduce the Anxiety
  -if appropriate, do they need something to do (read a book - consider ‘opporunity’ before doing this)
  -do they need to spend time in the day room to be able to move about more
  -explain the process to them if it is unknown
  -hot meal or drink
• Manage the Health
  -do they need to see a medical professional
  -speak to Mental Health (either by phone or a DAO in person)
  -other services (alcohol/drug addiction)

Question 11

Evaluating a detainee
Warning signs a person is at risk and in need of care?

Answer 11

• Head injury
• Heart attack
• Breathing difficulty
• Allergic reaction
• Diabetic Shock (hypoglycaemia)
• Intoxicated alcohol
• Intoxicated drug consumption
• Mental Health
• Self-Harm

Question 12

Risk Assessments / Observations - Evaluating a Detainee
Information to be passed over during handover process?

Answer 12

any relevant information / observations around the care and safety of the detainee