Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Paragraph: 58
IPP sentences inflict psychological harm, creating barriers to prisoner progression and trust
Conclusion
The psychological harm caused by IPP sentences is a considerable barrier to progression for some IPP prisoners. The indefinite nature of the sentence has contributed to feelings of hopelessness and despair that has resulted in high levels of self-harm and some suicides within the IPP population. In addition to this, IPP prisoners distrust the people and services that are necessary to support their progression. In identifying solutions to the IPP problem, the MoJ, HMPPS and Parole Board must acknowledge the psychological harm caused by the IPP sentence, and the challenges this presents regarding progression. The MoJ and HMPPS should also set out how they intend to improve access to mental health support for IPP prisoners, including transfers to secure hospitals and therapeutic settings.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges the difficulty of returning prisoners to prison from secure hospitals and states that HMPPS and MoJ are working with DHSC and NHSE to improve the operational delivery of these returns, drawing on learning from the Long-Term High Security Estate.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
58
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
Reasoning: We acknowledge that uncertainty over a release date can be unsettling which is why we are committed to ensuring appropriate support is provided, when needed. The Government also recognises that many IPP cases are complex and challenging. Access to Mental Health support HMPPS is working with partners to improve mental health support for all prisoners, including those serving IPP sentences and is already responding, separately, to a number of reports into mental health, including the Committee’s Report on Mental Health in Prisons published in September 2021 and associated Action Plan (January 2022). To manage the commitments and activities in the reports, a Mental Health Working Group has been formed, involving DHSC, MoJ, HMPPS, Home Office, NPCC, and the Welsh Government. The Group is overseeing a consolidated Mental Health action plan, which brings together all the published commitments and recommendations. 4 IPP sentences: Government and Parole Board Responses to the Committee’s Third Report HMPPS continues its partnership with Samaritans who train prisoner Listeners to provide emotional support to their fellow prisoners in emotional distress. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic and related regime restrictions, in 2021 there were around 1,300 trained Listeners who responded to 25,000 calls for help and spent 14,000 hours supporting other people in prison. HMPPS has recently renewed the grant to Samaritans and are working with them to strengthen and expand the Listener scheme. The Samaritans helpline is freely available, and last year the service received 410,000 calls from prisoners. This Government is committed to ensuring that offenders within the criminal justice system can access appropriate and timely support to meet their mental health needs. The Government’s draft Mental Health Bill was published on 27 June 2022 and includes key justice-led reforms, including the introduction of a new 28-day statutory time limit for transfers from prison to hospital. This will speed up access to specialist inpatient care and treatment for those experiencing acute mental health needs who meet the criteria for detention under the Mental Health Act.
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