Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Deferred
Paragraph: 179
Families of women in custody are not routinely made aware of the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme
Conclusion
As discussed in previous chapters, we welcome the work being done to improve community alternatives to custody and to make these a viable option for women. However, for those who are sentenced to custody, given the small number of prisons, we know that women will often be placed far away from their homes, and the challenges this presents for both parent and child. The Assisted Prisons Visits Scheme is welcome; however, we are concerned to hear that families are not routinely made aware of it. The MoJ needs to do more to ensure that all families are made aware of the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government accepted the recommendation but did not address the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme or how to raise awareness of it. Instead, it focused on commitments to prevent homelessness for prison leavers through the Community Accommodation Service, detailing gender-specific provision, increased capacity for women in Approved Premises, and plans to increase Strategic Housing Specialists to one in every female custodial establishment.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
179
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We accept this recommendation. We are piloting changes to the scheme to enable more children to visit, which will be evaluated, and subsequent recommendations will be implemented. There will be a relaunch of the Help with Visits scheme with refreshed posters and leaflets made available in all prisons. Work on the relaunch, which we aim to be ready before April 2023, is in progress, including an update to the financial thresholds.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗