Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
1
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
A clear definition of the older prisoner is necessary for establishing a more strategic approach to the cohort and the ageing prison population. We do not take a view on what that definition should be, but whatever age threshold is used should be based on firm evidence, and we encourage …
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A clear definition of the older prisoner is necessary for establishing a more strategic approach to the cohort and the ageing prison population. We do not take a view on what that definition should be, but whatever age threshold is used should be based on firm evidence, and we encourage the MoJ to keep definitions used under review. Flexibility is also important, so that frail and vulnerable prisoners younger than any age threshold—50, 60, or otherwise—are managed in the most appropriate way. We also believe that prisoners need as far as is possible to be treated as individuals and receive regimes that are tailored accordingly.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focused on the publication of updated prison population projections, which did not address the recommendation regarding the necessity of a clear, evidence-based definition of an older prisoner or the need to keep such definitions under review.
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Ministry of Justice
2
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
At the very least, older prisoners will remain a significant proportion of the prison population. It is likely that the size of the cohort will rise further after increases in police numbers and changes to sentencing come into effect. It is important that the size of the older prisoner population …
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At the very least, older prisoners will remain a significant proportion of the prison population. It is likely that the size of the cohort will rise further after increases in police numbers and changes to sentencing come into effect. It is important that the size of the older prisoner population can be predicted as accurately as possible, so the prison system can prepare and be resourced most appropriately. In its response to this report, the Government should publish updated projections for the ageing prison population for the next five years. These should factor in, as far as possible, the effects of its planned increases to police numbers and changes to sentencing policy. (Paragraph 28) Accommodation for older prisoners
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Government response AI summary
The government did not commit to publishing updated projections for the ageing prison population. Instead, it described investments in new prison places designed for older prisoners and committed to providing an update on a long-term estates strategy.
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Ministry of Justice
6
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
There needs to be greater recognition across the prison estate that some older prisoners will be unable to engage with the normal regime. Suitable activities and forums should be available to older prisoners to support their welfare and rehabilitation. We commend the excellent work done by some establishments, but provision …
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There needs to be greater recognition across the prison estate that some older prisoners will be unable to engage with the normal regime. Suitable activities and forums should be available to older prisoners to support their welfare and rehabilitation. We commend the excellent work done by some establishments, but provision of these is lacking in many prisons. HMPPS should ensure that guidance and best practice on regime provisions for older prisoners is applied across the prison estate. We recommend that all prisons have a designated older prisoner lead, who can ensure that the older prison population has a voice and is managed most appropriately. (Paragraph 55) The health and social care of older prisoners
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Government response AI summary
The government's response mentions NHS England and HMPPS working to support vulnerable patients in healthcare, but it does not address the recommendation for ensuring best practice on older prisoner regimes or designating older prisoner leads in all prisons.
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Ministry of Justice
8
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
An ageing prison population will increase pressure on prison healthcare. To ensure an equivalent standard of care as in the community, it is important that prison healthcare services are appropriately resourced, and staff have awareness of age- related health conditions. We recommend that all prison healthcare teams have a designated …
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An ageing prison population will increase pressure on prison healthcare. To ensure an equivalent standard of care as in the community, it is important that prison healthcare services are appropriately resourced, and staff have awareness of age- related health conditions. We recommend that all prison healthcare teams have a designated older prisoner lead, and that training on age-related health-issues is available to all prison staff. The Government must also ensure that prison healthcare services are resourced in line with the needs of an older population.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response details the procurement and rollout of telemedicine software and equipment across prisons to ensure access to health services during the pandemic. It does not address the recommendation for designated older prisoner healthcare leads, staff training on age-related issues, or general resourcing for …
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Ministry of Justice
9
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
Older prisoners are disproportionately affected by cancellations to external medical appointments, and their health can be seriously impacted by non-attendance. While increasing the number and availability of prison staff to escort prisoners to appointments is important, we also recommend that the Government review increasing the use of telemedicine and other …
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Older prisoners are disproportionately affected by cancellations to external medical appointments, and their health can be seriously impacted by non-attendance. While increasing the number and availability of prison staff to escort prisoners to appointments is important, we also recommend that the Government review increasing the use of telemedicine and other innovative ways to give prisoners access to medical advice.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on healthcare providers having targeted conversations with older prisoners about symptoms, but does not address the recommendation to review increasing telemedicine or other innovative ways for prisoners to access medical advice.
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Ministry of Justice
11
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
Continuing to incarcerate prisoners with severe dementia, who may no longer remember or understand why they are imprisoned, raises practical and ethical 46 Ageing prison population considerations, especially as their condition is very difficult to manage on the prison estate. Equally, the Committee recognises that a significant element of this …
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Continuing to incarcerate prisoners with severe dementia, who may no longer remember or understand why they are imprisoned, raises practical and ethical 46 Ageing prison population considerations, especially as their condition is very difficult to manage on the prison estate. Equally, the Committee recognises that a significant element of this cohort are convicted for historic sexual offences. Particular attention must be given to the feelings of victims of such cases, both because of the nature of the offending itself and because of delays often experienced in bringing such perpetrators to justice. We recognise that some of those victims may consider that alternative custody arrangements and potential early release of some individuals risks adding to the suffering that they have already endured. This must be taken into consideration. The Government should review whether alternative arrangements for housing prisoners with advanced dementia would be more appropriate in some circumstances.
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Government response AI summary
The government describes general initiatives to develop social care in custody, including a partnership board and social care training, but does not specifically address reviewing alternative housing arrangements for prisoners with advanced dementia.
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Ministry of Justice
13
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
Peer support or ‘buddy’ schemes can be an effective way to help meet the care needs of older prisoners. We commend the good work done by some prisons in partnership with third sector organisations to develop such initiatives. Prisons must ensure that prisoners providing care to other inmates are suitably …
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Peer support or ‘buddy’ schemes can be an effective way to help meet the care needs of older prisoners. We commend the good work done by some prisons in partnership with third sector organisations to develop such initiatives. Prisons must ensure that prisoners providing care to other inmates are suitably trained and have appropriate oversight.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses end-of-life care and early release on compassionate grounds, but does not address the recommendation regarding training and oversight for peer support schemes for older prisoners.
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Ministry of Justice
14
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
The ageing prison population has and will continue to increase the need for end-of- life and palliative care in prisons. We welcome the publication of the Dying Well in Custody Charter and the good practice at some establishments. But standards are not consistent across the estate. In addition, as mentioned …
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The ageing prison population has and will continue to increase the need for end-of- life and palliative care in prisons. We welcome the publication of the Dying Well in Custody Charter and the good practice at some establishments. But standards are not consistent across the estate. In addition, as mentioned previously, we recognise that there has been delay in providing justice for the victims of some prisoners. Again, attention must be given to the needs of the victims of those crimes. The MoJ must ensure that provision of end-of-life and palliative care is properly resourced and coordinated to reflect the current and future needs of the prison population. The MoJ should also review whether, in certain circumstances, terminally ill prisoners nearing the end of their lives would be better cared for outside of the prison estate and how effectively current arrangements for compassionate release are operating in practice.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focused on pre-release planning for older offenders under a new resettlement model, which did not address the recommendation to ensure properly resourced palliative care in prisons or to review care outside prison for terminally ill prisoners and the effectiveness of compassionate release.
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Ministry of Justice
15
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
Prisoners applying for early release on compassionate grounds should have their applications processed in an efficient and timely manner. This is especially important for terminally ill prisoners near the end of their lives. We recommend prisons identify a single member of staff to have overall responsibility for progressing an application …
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Prisoners applying for early release on compassionate grounds should have their applications processed in an efficient and timely manner. This is especially important for terminally ill prisoners near the end of their lives. We recommend prisons identify a single member of staff to have overall responsibility for progressing an application for compassionate release. (Paragraph 97) Ageing prison population 47 The release and resettlement of older prisoners
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Government response AI summary
The government's response discusses various accommodation services for offenders upon release, including Approved Premises and Langley House Trust, but it does not address the recommendation to designate a single staff member responsible for progressing compassionate release applications.
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Ministry of Justice
17
Recommendation
5th Report - Ageing prison population
Not Addressed
There is a shortage of suitable accommodation for older prisoners following their release, which can undermine their rehabilitation and prevent them from successfully re-integrating into society. We are particularly concerned about reports of older individuals being released to no-fixed abode. With the older prison population likely to rise further, and …
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There is a shortage of suitable accommodation for older prisoners following their release, which can undermine their rehabilitation and prevent them from successfully re-integrating into society. We are particularly concerned about reports of older individuals being released to no-fixed abode. With the older prison population likely to rise further, and the number of prison places set to increase, the Government must ensure that there is suitable provision of age-appropriate post-release accommodation, including housing for those with complex health or care needs.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on ensuring prisoners are pre-registered with a GP in their release area to facilitate healthcare continuity. It does not address the recommendation for suitable provision of age-appropriate post-release accommodation for older prisoners.
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Ministry of Justice