HMP Altcourse is committed to the care and supervision of all
prisoners at risk of Suicide and Self-Harm (S.A.S.H).
Prevention of suicide and self-harm is everyone's responsibility and
all staff should ensure they are fully conversant with the policy.
It is impossible to predict with absolute certainly whether a person
will or will not attempt suicide. Prisoners in a crisis situation
or who are seriously depressed are more prone to be suicidal. Most
suicidal prisoners are irrational at the time of the suicide crisis.
They have ambivalent feelings about their desire to live. They are
overwhelmed with despair, anxiety and hopelessness and cannot see
any other solution to their problem.
The S.A.S.H. Policy is designed to identify, support and minimise
the risk of suicide or self-harm to prisoners in our care. To achieve
this we comply with the Prison Service S.A.S.H policies and procedures.
These are supported by the HMP Altcourse S.A.S.H Team and the S.A.S.H
Policy Group.
