Recommendations & Conclusions
5 items
3
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Deferred
It is welcome that the new prison places planned as part of the Government’s expansion of the estate will be designed to better accommodate older prisoners and others with disabilities or limited mobility. However, the number of new places delivered under existing expansion projects has been limited. In addition, much …
Read more
It is welcome that the new prison places planned as part of the Government’s expansion of the estate will be designed to better accommodate older prisoners and others with disabilities or limited mobility. However, the number of new places delivered under existing expansion projects has been limited. In addition, much of the existing prison estate is unsuited to the needs of older prisoners, and there is a substantial backlog of maintenance works. We recommend that the long-term prison estate strategy in development specifically addresses the provision of reasonable adjustments and physical adaptations necessary to meeting the needs of the ageing population in existing prisons. In its response to this report, the Government should also update the Committee on the timeframe for publishing the long-term estate strategy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially given the greater propensity of older people to contract the disease.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it is considering models for older offenders within an upcoming older offenders strategy and will provide updates upon its publication. However, it defers addressing the specific provision of physical adaptations in existing prisons as part of the long-term prison estate strategy, and …
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
4
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Deferred
We are concerned that HMPPS is not consistently fulfilling its duties towards older and disabled prisoners, as required by the Equality Act 2010. These prisoners should not be housed in establishments where the physical design prevents them receiving equitable treatment. In its response to this report, the Government should set …
Read more
We are concerned that HMPPS is not consistently fulfilling its duties towards older and disabled prisoners, as required by the Equality Act 2010. These prisoners should not be housed in establishments where the physical design prevents them receiving equitable treatment. In its response to this report, the Government should set out what processes are in place to ensure that older and disabled prisoners are accommodated in an appropriate setting.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it is considering models for accommodating older offenders as part of an older offenders strategy and will provide an update once this strategy is published.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
7
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Deferred
We praise prison staff, HMPPS and MoJ officials for their work in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus has brought into sharp relief many of the issues affecting the prison system, including the particular health vulnerabilities of older cohorts. Amid the focus on protecting prisons from Coronavirus, HMPPS must …
Read more
We praise prison staff, HMPPS and MoJ officials for their work in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus has brought into sharp relief many of the issues affecting the prison system, including the particular health vulnerabilities of older cohorts. Amid the focus on protecting prisons from Coronavirus, HMPPS must continue to ensure that prisoners with existing health conditions are monitored and receive appropriate treatment and support.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it is developing proposals on staffing and training models to support older prisoners as part of the upcoming older offenders strategy, with further updates planned upon its publication, rather than directly confirming how HMPPS will continue to ensure ongoing monitoring and appropriate …
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
10
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Deferred
The prevalence of dementia in prisons is poorly understood and prison staff can lack awareness of the condition. All older prisoners should have access to screening services for dementia, and prison officers who work with older prisoners should receive training on recognising and managing its symptoms.
Read more
The prevalence of dementia in prisons is poorly understood and prison staff can lack awareness of the condition. All older prisoners should have access to screening services for dementia, and prison officers who work with older prisoners should receive training on recognising and managing its symptoms.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government is considering models for accommodating older offenders as part of an older offenders strategy and will provide a further update once this is published.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice
18
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Deferred
Prisons, local authorities, and health and care providers do not always work together effectively to ensure continuity of older prisoners’ health and social care. This can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health and their efforts to re-integrate into society. The development of the new RECONNECT service is welcome, …
Read more
Prisons, local authorities, and health and care providers do not always work together effectively to ensure continuity of older prisoners’ health and social care. This can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health and their efforts to re-integrate into society. The development of the new RECONNECT service is welcome, but we recommend that the Government implement further measures to promote integration between organisations involved in continuity of prisoners’ health and social care.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the need for a national strategy for older offenders to ensure consistent treatment and effective resettlement, stating they have commenced work on this strategy and will update the committee upon its publication.
Read full response →
Ministry of Justice