Hello again, just before Ryan comes into post and starts on the blog, I thought I could let you know about the course I am on. It is the end of the second week now, and my mind has been blown away!! Officers, and prisoners, always complain about how long it takes to get processed into custody and having to wait so long in the holding cell. Now I can tell them why. On the course, our first week was spent just going through the computer system that is used in custody. Although it is part of our main computer software, it has all its own applications relating to custody. The problem is that it is so confusing. Some of the sergeants on my course will only be doing custody duties as and when, and I feel sorry for them, as they will have to try to remember everything. At least, those of us that are moving full time to custody will be doing it all the time and get used to the system.
This week, we have been covering prisoner reception, booking in, risk assessment and welfare. It is a huge part of the course and covered by law. Obviously many of the prisoners that are in custody are vulnerable one way or another, under the influence of drink or drugs, injured from assaults – a whole multitude of risks. One of the sobering presentations has been from our Professional Standards Department relating to death in custody situations, and of course a huge input from medical professionals. Next week we have more in the classroom, followed by several days shadowing in a cell block. I shall do my shadowing in Southampton, so may come across some of my ‘friends’ from Northam and St Marys. That will be followed by 3 days of 1st Aid before I am let loose in custody. Anyway, back to class, and looking forward to a whole weekend off for a change.
Cheers
Dick
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