Offender Reception and Induction Procedure

Purpose. This procedure sets the steps for receiving, identifying, screening and inducting a person into custody at Ridgeway within the first 24 hours.

1.Before arrival

The reception officer must confirm the movement in the Escort and Movement Log, check the warrant or transfer documentation supplied by the escorting agency and prepare the reception area. Where the person is known to be at risk, the health provider must be told before arrival.

2.Identification and warrant check

The person must be identified against the warrant using photograph, name, date of birth and any identifying marks. The reception officer will check that the warrant is valid, complete and signed and will calculate sentence dates using the sentence calculation guide. A discrepancy must be escalated to the Reception and Escorts Coordinator before the person is accepted.

3.Property

All property must be itemised in the presence of the person, recorded in the Contraband and Property Register and signed by the person and the officer. Cash will be receipted to the prisoner trust account. Prohibited items will be stored or destroyed in line with the Security and Contraband Control Policy and the person told of the outcome.

4.Screening

Every reception must complete the at-risk screening with the reception officer and a health assessment with the visiting health provider within two hours. Screening covers self-harm, medical conditions, medication, drug and alcohol use, protection needs, cultural needs and language. The outcome determines placement and observation level.

• At-risk screening questions
• Health assessment
• Protection and placement needs
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identification
• Interpreter or literacy support

5.Induction

The person must be given the induction booklet and a verbal explanation of routines, rules, requests and complaints, visits, phone calls and the case management process. Where the person cannot read or does not speak English, an interpreter or plain language explanation must be used. The induction must be recorded in the Offender Case Management system.

6.Placement

Placement will be decided by the Senior Officer using the screening outcome, classification, protection needs and unit capacity. The unit officer receiving the person must be briefed on any risk. A first-night check must be recorded at the required frequency.