Decision report 201205354

Summary

Mr C, who is a prisoner, complained that there was an unreasonable delay in the risk management team (RMT) identifying that he should participate in further group work. Mr C said he had advised previous RMTs that he had an outstanding need, and that his progression to less secure conditions had been approved by an RMT at a different prison despite this.

In investigating Mr C's complaint, we obtained a copy of his most recent RMT referral form. The RMT noted in their decision that new information was discussed and it was agreed that it was not appropriate to progress Mr C at that time. We asked the prison what new information was discussed. The prison confirmed that when Mr C transferred from another prison, his risk assessment was out of date. Because of that, an up-to-date risk assessment was carried out before the RMT considered Mr C for progression. The risk assessment identified him as being a moderate risk of re-offending. In addition, Mr C had previously participated in programme work but the post-programme report noted that he had not had the opportunity to address an element of this, which should be addressed in further treatment. Because of that, the RMT decided they could not support Mr C's progression to less secure conditions until he had addressed his outstanding need.

We noted that an up-to-date risk assessment was completed, and referral to the RMT happened, within eight months of Mr C arriving at the prison. Because of that, we did not agree that there had been an unreasonable delay.