5
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Acknowledged
It can be very difficult to accommodate some older individuals on the prison estate. Steps taken by some prisons to develop specific wings or units for older prisoners are welcome, though the variability of individual needs should be considered. Good practice around the accommodation of older prisoners should be shared …
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It can be very difficult to accommodate some older individuals on the prison estate. Steps taken by some prisons to develop specific wings or units for older prisoners are welcome, though the variability of individual needs should be considered. Good practice around the accommodation of older prisoners should be shared more widely. Ageing prison population 45 We recommend that all prisons housing a significant number of older prisoners designate appropriate accommodation for those with more complex health and care needs. We further recommend that the Ministry use the expansion of the prison estate to develop additional accommodation that is specifically adapted for older prisoners. The viability and cost of developing bespoke forms of custody for those with disabilities or nearing the end of their lives should also be explored. (Paragraph 45) Regimes and activity for older prisoners
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Government response AI summary
The government references existing guides on best practice for older prisoners and states it is exploring how to embed this practice across the estate as part of the older offenders strategy. However, it does not explicitly commit to designating specific accommodation, developing new adapted accommodation …
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Ministry of Justice
12
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Acknowledged
An ageing prison population will increase demand for social care services in prisons. While the Care Act 2014 has brought some improvements, standards of provision are highly variable across the estate. A more strategic and coordinated approach is needed to improve consistency and ensure effective collaboration between prisons, local authorities …
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An ageing prison population will increase demand for social care services in prisons. While the Care Act 2014 has brought some improvements, standards of provision are highly variable across the estate. A more strategic and coordinated approach is needed to improve consistency and ensure effective collaboration between prisons, local authorities and other organisation involved in delivering care. In its response to this report, the Government should update the Committee on the progress of the action plan for social care in prisons in England and Wales, published following HMIP and the CQC’s joint thematic report. The Government should also set out its plans for the future provision of social care in prisons
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Government response AI summary
The government mentions launching peer-to-peer guidance in 2018 and improving its dissemination, and states HMPPS is currently looking at the possibility of procuring a national provider for social care training, but does not provide a comprehensive update on the action plan or future provision plans.
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Ministry of Justice
20
Conclusion
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Acknowledged
We disagree with the argument that older prisoners’ needs are too wide-ranging to generalise. Though it is important to treat each prisoner as an individual, there is a commonality among older prisoners which warrants a specific approach to their management. The MOD: Older Prisoners shows that the MoJ recognises this; …
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We disagree with the argument that older prisoners’ needs are too wide-ranging to generalise. Though it is important to treat each prisoner as an individual, there is a commonality among older prisoners which warrants a specific approach to their management. The MOD: Older Prisoners shows that the MoJ recognises this; indeed, it is inconsistent for them to have developed the MOD and yet not recognise the similarity of need among many older prisoners.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the broader issue of older prisoners by stating it is considering models for accommodating them as part of an older offenders strategy, with further updates planned upon its publication.
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Ministry of Justice