CAT/OP/NZL/1/Add.1 Overview 65. Mental health services are contacted to assess any person in police custody when police have reason to believe this is necessary for the person’s well-being. Police establish necessity through: information gathered from others, such as family members, police observation and the formal risk assessment tool. Mental health services do not generally attend police custody centres unless there is an identified risk. 66. In October 2013, Police established a mental health intervention team to improve collaboration between police and mental health services. The project aims to improve all detainees’ access to mental health services. Nurses in four police custody centres are a good example of steps taken to provide detainees with routine access to mental health services. 67. New Zealand has a well-established system for the mental health care of people in prisons, which is based on the fundamental principle that mentally ill prisoners have the same right of access to mental health services as other people with mental illness in the community. 68. Where a prisoner has moderate to severe mental health problems that require assessment and treatment in a hospital setting, they can be transferred to one of five forensic mental health services across New Zealand. 69. The Ministry of Health is developing a national forensic mental health framework to guide the future development of forensic services. The framework will also focus on ways in which general adult mental health services can increase efficiency in forensic mental health services, by better managing individuals prior to and following treatment. 70. The Ministry of Health and Corrections are working closely to address service pressures. The Ministry of Health has commissioned an additional five beds at Capital and Coast DHB to relieve immediate pressures on the forensic services in Waitemata DHB. The Ministry is also working with the Northern Regional Authority and the Waitemata DHB to further manage pressures on inpatient beds. Waiting lists for forensic mental health services in the Northern region (the region of particular concern) have decreased considerably. 71. In June 2012, Corrections implemented the mental health screening tool for all newly received male prisoners. Packages of care for prisoners with mild to moderate mental health needs are now in place at all prisons. 72. Corrections have commenced a trial of a Mental Health In-Reach Clinician role at three prisons. Clinicians provide education and support to custodial and health staff to support improved identification and management of prisoners with mental health needs. They also support the effective transition for prisoners returning from inpatient mental health facilities and from extended periods in the At-Risk Unit. They will also support referral to community based primary mental health providers for prisoners on release. 73. Corrections are also in the process of reviewing how at-risk prisoners (prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide) are managed with a view to providing a pathway to wellness. The review will be completed by June 2014. Staff training in mental health recognition 74. Corrections Officers are fully supported in the day-to-day role of managing detainees by Corrections health staff. Training for Corrections Officers in mental health recognition, response and referral is being further developed following a successful pilot in 2013. The training is based on a Ministry of Health sponsored programme that was piloted by Corrections and Police jointly. Further work is underway to improve training for probation and Corrections staff on suicide awareness, with training to be rolled out in 2014. 14