Exploring how men in custody experience the ACCT process
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring how men in custody experience the ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody, and Teamwork) process (a process designed to support those with suicidal and self-harm ideation)
IRAS ID
256031
Contact name
Taanvi Ramesh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Anglia Ruskin University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
This study aims to gain an understanding of the experiences of men in custody that have engaged in the ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody, and Teamwork) process. This is a routinely reviewed process designed to support and monitor those who are at risk of self-harm and/or suicide whilst they are in custody. It was first implemented within the prison service in 2005 (Humber et al., 2011). The aim of the ACCT is to keep prisoners safe from harming themselves and provide them with the support to do so. The ACCT is also used to document and keep track of who has been observing the prisoner and who has been involved in decision-making processes regarding the level of observations required. There has been some research on the views of staff towards prisoner self-harm (Short et al., 2009), but there has been little qualitative research surrounding the ACCT process and its value to clients at risk. The limited research that has been done has indicated that men detained in custody dislike being observed “without any emotional support” as part of risk monitoring and perceive this to be staff “back-watching”, as opposed to providing care (Humber et al., 2011; Liebling & Krarup, 1993; Power et al., 2003). Interviews will be conducted by the Assistant Psychologist with 8 prisoners that have undergone the ACCT process. Interviews will be recorded and transcribed, and personal data will be anonymised. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) will be used to analyse data. This study will be able to provide a rich account of client experiences, giving rise to a better understanding of such experiences, and the perceived benefits and difficulties with the ACCT process from a client’s perspective.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1072
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jul 2019
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion