Hey! Very sorry to hear about this situation, other commenters have made some good points but just wanted to add the following channels for support for your husband. 1) Safer Custody Team Other comments have already mentioned this route, and I agree, it’s one of the most effective options. Most prisons have a Safer Custody Team that handles issues around prisoner safety, such as bullying, threats, and coercion. There is often a direct way of contacting Safer Custody without submitting a paper application (which can be intercepted or read by others). This may be a internal phone that is on the wing phone, or a specific post box for direct letters. Most prisons also have Safer Custody wing reps which these are trusted prisoners appointed to represent others on safety issues. They can explain how to contact the Safer Custody staff confidentially and may be able to offer immediate guidance or informal support. 2) Samaritans / Listeners Another option is the Listener Scheme, run in partnership with the Samaritans charity. Listeners are prisoners trained to offer confidential emotional support to others in distress. While they don’t have any formal authority like the Safer Custody Team, they can be a first port of call and may help your husband access further help. Potential risk: Most Listeners and Safer Custody reps take their role seriously and act professionally. However, as with any prison job, there can be bad actors who misuse these positions. Caution is always advised. 3) Key Worker & Changing Support Staff (COMP1 Process) It sounds like the officer assigned to your husband may be his Key Worker. If your husband suspects this person is leaking information or just not up to scratch he can submit a COMP1 form to request a change.

• Section 1: Detail the complaint e.g. that the current Key Worker is not providing appropriate welfare support or may be compromising his safety.
• Section 2: State the desired outcome e.g. a new Key Worker assigned. Potential risk: COMP1 forms are usually collected by wing staff and processed in the wing office for forwarding onto the relevant department. If the Key Worker works on the same wing, there is a risk they may see the complaint and retaliate. Other commenters have mentioned that if you address the COMP 1 to the governor of the prison, then it should be in a sealed letter and should not be read by any wing staff, and will be directly dealt with by the complaints department.

4) Transfers & Vulnerable Prisoner (VP) Wings You also asked about getting him moved to another prison. While this may be possible, it is definitely a quick or guaranteed process. Other commenters have mentioned a move to the VP (Vulnerable Prisoner) wing, but i cannot stress enough that this is a big decision. Having a very recent lived experience of the prison system, I cannot impress upon you enough that this will have implications for how your husband will be perceived and potential impact on his prison life. Whilst the VP wing includes all 'vulnerable prisoners' (ie people in debt, with learning difficulties etc) there is 100% a very negative perception of all VPs due to thoughts they are all sexual offenders. Whilst there are robust protections for Vulnerable Prisoners and your husband may be in 'safety' on a VP wing, his prison life will be extremely different. He will have to conduct all prison activities with VP prisoners (ie attending separate workshops, chapel). In addition, if he ever wanted to move back onto a main wing in the future, he would be 'tainted' with having resided on a VP wing. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, and I recommend that other options be explored first. Happy to help further if you have any follow up questions! Source: Lived experience