Recommendations & Conclusions
42 items
1
Conclusion
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
The Covid-19 pandemic poses an urgent threat to public health and safety. It is an unprecedented situation that has required an immediate response by the National Probation Service, CRCs and all other services providers along with the NHS to save lives. We praise the probation service and wider stakeholders for …
Government response. The Committee recognise that Covid-19 has required an immediate and unprecedented response and praise the probation staff and offenders for adapting to the current situation. The Committee are aware that the NPS and CRCs may differ in their models of …
Ministry of Justice
2
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
The Committee recognise that Covid-19 has required an immediate and unprecedented response and praise the probation staff and offenders for adapting to the current situation. The Committee are aware that the NPS and CRCs may differ in their models of delivery, however we are concerned to hear reports that inconsistencies …
Government response. The impact of Covid-19 required HMPPS to put temporary changes to the delivery of services in place, which were necessary to ensure the safety of service users and staff, as well as to ensure the stability of suppliers and to …
Ministry of Justice
3
Conclusion
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
The model of probation delivery has changed substantially in the weeks since the introduction of the UK lockdown, particularly the way in which case-management supervision is delivered. Additionally, other areas such as unpaid work and interventions have stopped. We recognise that these measures have been necessary, but we are concerned …
Government response. Social distancing guidelines require that we maintain restrictions with groups of service users, which affects delivery of both unpaid work (UPW) and Accredited Programmes. This affects both the group work itself but also the transport to project sites, as vans …
Ministry of Justice
4
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS set out how the probation service intends to address the backlogs that have built up over the past three months. Additionally, we recommend that the Ministry and HMPPS set out how they will ensure that all individuals under probation supervision will …
Government response. Social distancing guidelines require that we maintain restrictions with groups of service users, which affects delivery of both unpaid work (UPW) and Accredited Programmes. This affects both the group work itself but also the transport to project sites, as vans …
Ministry of Justice
5
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
The Committee are pleased to see the commitment from HMPPS to learn from the current model of delivery. We recommend that HMPPS update the Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19): The impact on probation systems 23 progress of this piece of work, setting out how learning will be shared.The Committee are pleased …
Government response. HMPPS has developed a programme of work to capture and share learning as we respond to Covid-19, which is feeding into probation reform and recovery. A set of evidence and quality criteria is being applied to ensure learning will add …
Ministry of Justice
6
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
Staff shortages and increased workloads within the probation service preceded the Covid-19 outbreak. Whilst the Committee recognise that Covid-19 means that some areas of work have stopped, it is clear that staff workloads are still extremely high, and staff morale and wellbeing are of significant concern within the probation service. …
Government response. We want the probation service to be a fulfilling and rewarding place to work where people want to stay and aspire to have a career in probation. We also recognise that the current workload for many probation officers is simply …
Ministry of Justice
7
Conclusion
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
At the best of times, release from prison can be a difficult time for many, however, Covid-19 has created a very different environment for those released from prison to enter. Service provision in the community has changed substantially and it is important that individuals released from prison continue to receive …
Government response. Prisoners released during the Covid-19 period faced a world that was radically different, with access to support services significantly changed. Some prisoners were released as they had reached the end of their sentence, or were suitable for existing early release …
Ministry of Justice
8
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
The Committee are pleased to hear about the work the Ministry has done with the DWP to make Universal Credit more accessible to those leaving prisons. We also welcome the increase in the Subsistence Grant for those who are leaving prison early under the End of Custody Temporary Release scheme, …
Government response. The purpose of both the Discharge Grant and the Subsistence Grant is to assist prison leavers on release, so that they are supported while accessing other legal sources of income, such as applying for benefits. The higher rate of the …
Ministry of Justice
9
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
Accommodation is an important resettlement need for prison leavers, and we welcome the work that the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS have done during the pandemic to ensure that prison leavers have the best access to accommodation as possible. We are also pleased to hear that scheme to support individuals …
Government response. A second review of the Covid-19 Accommodation Upon Release Scheme was undertaken, and based upon the operational environment, with Government and PHE advice, it was extended for a final time until 31st August which could therefore provide accommodation to prison …
Ministry of Justice
10
Recommendation
3rd Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): The…
The probation service has been in a continual state of reform and uncertainty for the past five years, and is now adapting to the challenges presented by Covid-19. Whilst the announcement is a welcome one, the new model is expected to go live in the summer of 2021 and the …
Government response. Between March and May 2020, HMPPS carried out a rapid assessment of the impact of Covid-19 on the Probation Reform Programme delivery plan. Following this, the decision was taken to stop the competition for Probation Delivery Partners and to focus …
Ministry of Justice
1
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
The Covid-19 pandemic poses an urgent threat to public health and safety. It is an unprecedented situation that has required an immediate response by the prison service to protect the NHS and save lives. We praise the Prison Service and wider stakeholders for the vital work they are doing to …
Government response. The Covid-19 pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges that we continue to address to maintain services in custody and the community. Guided by public health advice, we took immediate, decisive action to implement a suite of measures to …
Ministry of Justice
2
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
The Committee recognise the necessity of the measures introduced to minimise the spread of the virus and save lives and commend staff and prisoners for adapting to these changes. However, we do not believe that the current regime is sustainable in the long term and are concerned about the effect …
Government response. Our National Framework, which sets out in detail how we will take decisions about easing coronavirus-related restrictions in prisons, was published in June. This roadmap for easing restrictions in prisons has been guided by public health advice alongside an operational …
Ministry of Justice
3
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We are not clear as to why there is such wide variance across the estate in type of regime and time out of cell. We agree with the Independent Monitoring Board and recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out clear expectations of the minimum time out of cell and …
Government response. The nature of the pandemic means the situation in any individual establishment can change very rapidly. Prisons must respond swiftly to outbreaks, and the need for staff to isolate can cause available numbers to fluctuate over time. At all times …
Ministry of Justice
4
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
The Committee recognise the severity of the current regime in prisons and commend both staff and prisoners for responding and adapting to current circumstances. We are pleased to hear reports that the prison population have been largely compliant with changes made, but we share concerns about the potential long-term impact …
Government response. At the start of the pandemic HMPPS took swift and decisive action to protect staff, those in our care, and the wider community and NHS from explosive outbreaks in prisons. Since this time, we have been able to restart large …
Ministry of Justice
5
Recommendation
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out what additional mental health support is available for prisoners and what their long-term plan is to mitigate the effect lockdown may have on the mental health of prisoners should prisons remain in this current phase for a prolonged period.
Government response. The COVID-19 pandemic and the regime restrictions introduced in response to it have brought new and different risks to safety. Maintaining safety and the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners has remained a priority throughout the pandemic. A range of …
Ministry of Justice
6
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
It is vital that prisoners are able to maintain contact with family and friends, particularly at such an uncertain time. Family contact is essential to a prisoner’s wellbeing and resettlement, and we welcome measures taken to ensure that prisoners are able to maintain contact with family. We welcome the decision …
Government response. HMPPS fully recognise the importance of maintaining family contact for prisoners. This is why we quickly introduced video calling when the exceptional circumstances meant social visits were temporarily suspended in March and where they continue to be suspended owing to …
Ministry of Justice
7
Recommendation
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
While the secure video calling service is a temporary measure implemented in direct response to the changes across the estate resulting from Covid-19, the Committee 28 Coronavirus (Covid-19): The impact on prisons believe there is scope for this service to be developed in the long-term and rolled out further across …
Government response. We have rolled out video calling at pace, and it is now available in over 110 prisons across the estate. We expect facilities to be available in all establishments by the end of the year. This has ensured that prisoners …
Ministry of Justice
8
Recommendation
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
Given that prisons have been in a state of lockdown for 15 weeks, we are pleased to hear that Exceptional Delivery Models for stage 3 are being developed and that there are hopes to relax the regime in the next few weeks. We recommend that the Ministry and HMPPS keep …
Government response. We recognise that the restrictions we have needed to impose for public health reasons have had consequences for the wellbeing of those in our care. Despite any national or local restrictions, we aim to maintain regimes that are as open …
Ministry of Justice
9
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We are pleased to hear that more than 98% of the prison estate now has cohorting in place. This appears to have been an effective strategy for containing the spread of the virus and protect the lives of staff and prisoners. The Committee thank all of the staff who have …
Government response. In March we introduced cohorting strategies, including the ‘compartmentalisation strategy’ across the estate, to isolate the sick, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals, based on advice from PHE. We are pleased to report that 100% of prisons have implemented …
Ministry of Justice
10
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
The Committee welcome the Government’s decision to temporarily release pregnant women and women in prison with their children, whenever it is safe to do so. The Committee recognise that this cohort of women require specialist support in the community, but in the 14 weeks since the announcement was made, only …
Government response. During the pandemic we have operated a scheme under which prisoners in the following groups may be considered for Compassionate Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL): • Pregnant women; • Prisoners with their babies in custody (in Mother and Baby Units); …
Ministry of Justice
11
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We ask the Government to set out how many prisoners were actively considered for release under the scheme and the principal reasons why just over 5 per cent were in fact released early.
Government response. As of 15 November, 262 prisoners have been released as part of the End of Custody Temporary Release (ECTR) scheme. The ECTR scheme was aimed at low-risk offenders approaching the end of their sentence, but we did not take its …
Ministry of Justice
12
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
It is not clear what impact increased court activity will have on the prison population, and how MoJ and HMPPS intend to manage any potential influx as a result of increased court activity. The Committee are pleased to note that work has already begun on understanding the effects of renewed …
Government response. On 26 November, the department published updated prison population projections as National Statistics for 2020 to 2026. As the recently published prison population projections show, despite the decrease in recent months due to the COVID-19 impact in courts, over the …
Ministry of Justice
13
Recommendation
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We welcome the sourcing and installation of temporary units to increase headroom across the prison estate. We welcome the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Summer Statement on 8 July that £60m is being made available to provide 1,000 temporary places. We recognise that this is ongoing …
Government response. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have introduced temporary accommodation cells across the prison estate to increase space and help reduce the spread of coronavirus. 1,150 units have been installed at 29 prisons in the HMPPS estate and two privately managed …
Ministry of Justice
14
Recommendation
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We recommend, however, that the Government investigate the reasons behind the relatively high level of remand into custody and explain the reasons behind that, particularly given the pressures on the custodial estate during the coronavirus outbreak.
Government response. The number of children and young people on remand has remained stable over the last three years at around 250 children and young people at any one time. But it is true that the proportion of the youth custodial population …
Ministry of Justice
15
Recommendation
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We recommend that the MoJ and Youth Custody Service set out how they have responded to the crisis in the context of the children’s estate and how the specific needs of children have been considered. It is also unclear why there is such a disparity in the regimes provided across …
Government response. Following publication of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services on 2 June, the YCS has developed Exceptional Delivery Models (EDMs), including developing ‘YCS-specific’ EDMs (specifically Education and P.E, Advocacy, the Custody Support Plan, Interventions and Resettlement). Face-to-face education …
Ministry of Justice
16
Conclusion
4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): Th…
We are concerned that there does not appear to be a sufficiently clear, separate plan on how the youth custodial estate will transition out of the current lockdown phase. We agree that plans need to be flexible enough to accommodate different circumstances and situation of prisons, but we do not …
Government response. Our National Framework is intentionally flexible enough to accommodate the different circumstances and situations of different establishments. It sets out that delivery will vary on this basis, taking into account the needs of children and the specific statutory obligations around …
Ministry of Justice
1
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
Legal professionals have adapted impressively quickly to working from home and holding and attending hearings remotely, but this can be difficult. Lord Burnett of Maldon, the Lord Chief Justice, told us that “the quality of the kit matters a great deal. If you are doing this sort of encounter with …
Government response. • The Ministry of Justice has been innovative and adapted our ways of working to ensure that the courts kept running during the pandemic, including a significant increase in the use of digital. Not only have we increased the amount …
Ministry of Justice
2
Recommendation
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
There have been positive developments in providing online solutions to providing court services, but pending full roll out of HMCTS’s cloud video platform, we recommend that the Ministry of Justice sets out the steps it is taking to ensure that lay parties to hearings have access to the technology they …
Government response. • We will continue to review conditions for practitioners of all backgrounds as the volume of work in courts resumes to pre-COVID levels. • As part of the next phase of the ongoing Criminal Legal Aid Review there will be …
Ministry of Justice
3
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
Publicly funded legal services providers were already under stress before coronavirus.
Government response. • The Government has introduced a range of measures to support firms and self- employed individuals impacted by Coronavirus. The legal sector has been able to access several of these measures which, alongside the support from the Ministry of Justice …
Ministry of Justice
4
Recommendation
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
It is important that the legal professions properly represent the society they serve, not least because they form a large part of the pool from which the Judiciary is drawn. The MOJ should set out what it will do to make sure that coronavirus restrictions on the justice system do …
Government response. • The Government has carefully considered the Law Society’s proposals. However providers of Legal Aid are affected differently according to their business model. The Standard Monthly Payment (SMP) is utilised only by a small proportion of providers and represents only …
Ministry of Justice
5
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
Newly qualified barristers face particular pressure.
Government response. • We agree with the Committee that Law Centres and other not-for profit providers play a vital role in helping people in communities across England and Wales access justice and resolve their legal problems. Over the past few months, the …
Ministry of Justice
6
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
Small high street firms are particularly at risk from the effects of coronavirus restrictions.
Government response. • The Legal Aid Agency meets with representative bodies on a bi-monthly basis to discuss the operation of the civil and crime legal aid contracts as well as other legal aid processes, including how they may be improved. The Ministry …
Ministry of Justice
7
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
Law centres and other not-for-profit legal advice providers are also at great risk.
Government response. We agree with the Committee that Law Centres and other not-for profit providers play a vital role in helping people in communities across England and Wales access justice and resolve their legal problems. Over the past few months, the importance …
Ministry of Justice
8
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
The furlough scheme has been very useful, with both solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers using it to reduce staff costs. We heard that the loan schemes were less helpful, particularly for small high street firms.
Government response. In response to the pandemic, the Government announced an unprecedented package of support measures to assist those impacted by Coronavirus. Legal practitioners and firms have been able to access support from the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS), the Coronavirus Job …
Ministry of Justice
9
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
The Legal Aid Agency has made changes to help the legal professions. For example, it has made it easier to claim interim and hardship payments, aligned some fees for remote work with those for in-person work, and halted pursuit of outstanding debts owed to the Legal Aid Agency. Amanda Pinto …
Government response. Turning to the legal aid market, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency introduced a range of measures to help legal aid providers to weather the coronavirus pandemic while maintaining access to justice for the most vulnerable in society. …
Ministry of Justice
10
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
The support provided by the Government is welcome, but it cannot compensate for the significant drop-off in the amount of work being done and remove the risk of a collapse in legal services providers. (Paragraph 32) The way ahead
Government response. The Government has introduced a range of measures to support firms and self-employed individuals impacted by Coronavirus. The legal sector has been able to access several of these measures which, alongside the support from the Ministry of Justice and Legal …
Ministry of Justice
11
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
It is important that the legal professions are in good shape to deal with the increase in demand for legal advice and representation that is on the horizon.
Government response. The Government has introduced a range of measures to support firms and self-employed individuals impacted by Coronavirus. The legal sector has been able to access several of these measures which, alongside the support from the Ministry of Justice and Legal …
Ministry of Justice
12
Recommendation
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice considers the Bar Council’s proposals for using alternative evidence (other than tax returns) for bringing new barristers and returning practitioners within the remit of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and that it report back to us on whether it decides to adopt the …
Government response. The Government has introduced a range of measures to support firms and self-employed individuals impacted by Coronavirus. The legal sector has been able to access several of these measures which, alongside the support from the Ministry of Justice and Legal …
Ministry of Justice
13
Recommendation
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice considers the Law Society’s detailed proposals for payment and repayment of monthly payments (to solicitors firms and not-for-profit providers) and that the Ministry of Justice reports back to us on whether it decides to adopt the proposals and, if not, provide the reasons …
Government response. The Government has carefully considered the Law Society’s proposals. However providers of Legal Aid are affected differently according to their business model. The Standard Monthly Payment (SMP) is utilised only by a small proportion of providers and represents only a …
Ministry of Justice
14
Recommendation
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice considers further grants for law centres and other not-for-profit legal services providers that are at risk of collapse. The Ministry of Justice should report back to us with its decision and provide its reasons if it decides not to provide such grants, and …
Government response. We agree with the Committee that Law Centres and other not-for profit providers play a vital role in helping people in communities across England and Wales access justice and resolve their legal problems. Over the past few months, the importance …
Ministry of Justice
15
Conclusion
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
On 23 June, we asked Robert Buckland about business rates relief, and he suggested that his requests to the Treasury were unlikely to be fulfilled but that he was looking for other imaginative solutions. The Ministry of Justice should consider how it can help those self-employed practitioners whose profits are …
Government response. The Government has introduced a range of measures to support firms and self-employed individuals impacted by Coronavirus. The legal sector has been able to access several of these measures which, alongside the support from the Ministry of Justice and Legal …
Ministry of Justice
16
Recommendation
7th Report: Coronavirus (COVID-19): the…
We urge the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Aid Agency to continue to be creative as to how legal aid is administered so that the legal professions are not further damaged by inflexible processes and contractual requirements on top of the problems arising directly from the coronavirus crisis. (Paragraph …
Government response. The Legal Aid Agency meets with representative bodies on a bi-monthly basis to discuss the operation of the civil and crime legal aid contracts as well as other legal aid processes, including how they may be improved. The Ministry of …
Ministry of Justice