Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 170
170
Deferred
Expand access to purposeful activities and training programmes for prisoners to reduce drug demand.
Conclusion
The MoJ must expand access to purposeful activities, including education, vocational training, accredited work programmes and constructive recreational opportunities to prevent prisoners turning to drugs as a result 61 of boredom. We ask that the MoJ provides the Committee with an update on its progress to increasing purposeful activity within prisons by April 2026. (Recommendation, Paragraph 48)
Government Response Summary
The government primarily discusses the existing adjudications policy and plans to strengthen sanctions under the Earned Progression Model, including doubling the maximum additional days awarded for drug-related incidents. It does not detail specific plans to expand access to purposeful activities for prisoners.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
In line with our response to recommendation 3, and having carefully considered the Committee’s advice, we are content that the existing adjudications policy provides Governors with appropriate discretion to award suspended punishments if the prisoner engages with rehabilitative measures where appropriate, such as drug and alcohol treatment. Governors will be best placed to determine the appropriate response, which will also depend on the individual’s suitability and readiness to engage with treatment. This does not preclude referrals to treatment and support outside of the adjudications process, and any patient identified as under the influence is automatically referred for a next-day urgent appointment with a drug and alcohol worker. However, we recognise the need for improvements within the adjudications process and system, and actions to achieve this are underway as part of implementing the Earned Progression Model. This model allows an Independent Adjudicator to extend a prisoner’s time in custody on account of their poor behaviour, including in serious drug-related cases. Within this, we are strengthening sanctions through secondary legislation, to double the maximum additional days that can be awarded for a single incident, from 42 to 84. Prisoners will serve these extra days beyond their statutory release point, and staff are being upskilled to ensure the adjudications process is being applied fairly and consistently. Chapter 4: Ingress routes and countermeasures to reduce the supply