Prisons as Living Spaces
This web page brings together resources to support you to apply for the ‘Prisons as Living Spaces’ element of the Bereavement Charter Mark for Prisons.
Each hall has a member of staff who is a Bereavement Champion.
A bereavement champion is a member of staff who:
- is trained on bereavement and on the effects of childhood trauma and their potential impacts
- is familiar with the Resident Bereavement Policy and how to apply it fairly and consistently
- uses this knowledge to support officers who are working with bereaved residents
Some organisations that deliver bereavement training are listed here: Workplace bereavement training | Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief
The SPS online learning platform MYLO provides four courses on trauma, beginning with this one: Course: Developing your trauma skilled practice 1 : understanding the impact of trauma and responding in a trauma-informed way
Resident Bereavement Policy
Develop a policy that sets out protocols for offering support when a resident is bereaved, and how staff will be supported to apply this policy fairly and consistently.
Residents know how they can access information and support on bereavement.
Set out how you will ensure residents know how to access information and support about bereavement and its effects. For example, HMP Edinburgh have developed this leaflet: HMP Edinburgh Bereavement Leaflet
Some useful resources are available here:
The prison provides space for bereaved residents to grieve.
For example, this could include:
- Bereavement Cafes
- Chaplaincy support
- Peer supporters
- Bereavement Champions
Details of the above could be made available with posters in residential areas.
Ensure there is appropriate support for peer supporters, champions and chaplains through good links with NHS Psychology.
