A very tough problem I guess!
We do have another unit employing DC braking system, but we used feedback from a tacho-gen mounted on the shaft of the motor to prevent starting of motor when backspinning. The gadget kicks-on when the motor is backspinning, bring the rotor to a stop before the softstarter engages to speed-up the motor.
But, as you said, they won't be installing a sensor due inaccessability!
If your pump is a vertical well pump, roydm's suggestion could be a solution. The equipment is just attached to the non-driving end of the shaft; uses steel balls that locks-in on backspin, but stays out on the correct rotation!