NIPS Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13 - Department of Justice

ANNUAL
REPORT
and Accounts
Group in each prison to establish a more cohesive
approach to health improvement. This group will
have responsibility for organising and running health
improvement events throughout the year.
The NIPS WGoMS, worked closely with the Health
and Safety Executive NI (HSENI) in the development
of a tailored training pack for delivery to the new
Custody Officers. A pilot of the stress awareness
training has been trialled to a number of officers and
finalisation of this material, in conjunction with the
HSE, is ongoing. It is also intended that this will be
delivered to existing officers as part of their upskilling
training package.
Throughout the year NIPS made available a range
of information on health and wellbeing issues
to raise staff awareness and to provide details of
alternative sources of information and services. In
addition, to mark World Suicide Prevention Day
a number of staff and prisoners attended seminars
entitled ‘Mood Matters for Adults’ which provided an
opportunity to learn about depression and recognise
the importance of self help strategies to improve
mood. The Samaritans were on the landings raising
awareness and providing information about the
Listener Scheme (where trained prisoners, supported
by the Samaritans, provide support for those
at risk of suicide or self-harm) within all prison
establishments.
National Stress Awareness Day was marked by a
series of staff awareness events in conjunction with
our employee assistance partner Carecall Solutions
which hosted information stands and delivered
presentations in various locations and we received
positive feedback following this.
Review of sickness absence procedures (Sickness
Absence Management)
The Northern Ireland Civil Service HR Handbook
Section on Inefficiency Sickness Absence provides a
framework for the effective management of sickness
absence and NIPS continue to apply this. Work
to reduce sickness absence across the Service is
ongoing. A review of the management of long term
sickness absence cases was conducted during the
year and this highlighted some issues of concern.
Work is underway to address these issues. Current
figures for 2012-13 can be found on Page 29 of the
Annual Report.
Energy / Environmental Projects
During the last twelve months the following
environmental improvements have been added to
the prison estate:
Solar Thermal Hot Water
This uses solar energy from the sun to pre-heat
water within the hot water system (Maghaberry)
using an array of solar panels.
Air Source Heat Pump
This uses warm air that would otherwise be expelled
from a buildings air-conditioning units to heat water
within the hot water system (Maghaberry).
Rainwater Harvesting
A new underground tank has been installed to store
rainwater which is then used to flush toilets. This
will save around 700 m³ of water per year.
Water Saving Devices
Nearly 200 new wash-hand basins have been
installed during the year with timed push button
controls. The controls allow the overall flow of
water to be managed to limit the amount of water
consumption.
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