Posted By Descarte I worked for a while for a major police constabulary which all have their own incorporated prison holding cells in the custody areas and would be happy to discuss my experiences of this with you if you can contact me via email

Posted By Amanda Craig Having been part of H&S within the custodial sector I would give the following advice. Risk assessments do not differ from those in the 'outside'. You need to follow the same steps to identify the hazards and quantify the risk to those exposed. A prisoner is not considered a 'worker' or employee' irrespective if they are 'working' as in a training prison environment, however they have full protection of Section 3. You have two 'workforces' the Prison Officers and the Prisoners, you then have the contractors and visitors etc to consider. Use the same type of approach as you have done in your current position and involve the staff. You will find the PSO (Prison Service Order) is specific in what is required to meet the Standards for H&S, Fire etc. If you are able to ask for copies of these Standards before you start so you can see what the Standards Audit Unit will be auditing you on. Good luck, I wish you every success in your new post.

Posted By Christopher Hi Craig, I have been involved both with the police and the prison service. The best advice I can give you is to make contact with other Health and Safety specialists in prisons. They can provide you with the most up to date requirements for the prison service, standards etc. They usually have a library of risk assessments for these areas which you can tap into. There will almost certainly be a networking group which you would be advised to join. From my experience there is always a more experienced health and safety specialist only too willing to support you until you find your feet. Don't forget that prisons have a great many contractors, eg primary care provide the health care provision. All the best.

Posted By Clare Gabriel Suggest you contact : HSE Enforcement Policy Unit Cross Cutting Interventions Division PG Priestley House, Priestley Rd, Basingstoke, Hants RG24 9NW Phone 502 4091/01256 404091 Fax 502 4100/01256 404100 This is the division of the HSE on what was the old Crown Fire and Police NIG that had the enforcement responsibility for the Prisons. they may be able to give you plenty of pointers. I also suggest you also touch base with the Prison Area Safety Advisor to discuss issues, existing policies and process, and some familiarisation visits/training. The latter is very important, as you have to have hostage and breakaway training, so you know what to do if you are kidnapped by an unstable inmate!These would all need to be covered by risk assessments. also surely your colleagues in other prisons will be happy to share their material - is there not an intranet for such information?