Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Paragraph: 62
Increase urgent provision of mental healthcare services for prisoners affected by the pandemic.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Justice, HMPPS and NHS England should take urgent steps to increase provision of mental healthcare services over the coming 12 months so that prisoners whose mental health has deteriorated because of the pandemic can be treated.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomed the ongoing roll-out of NHS England's RECONNECT service for prison leavers and is commissioning an evaluation for 2022/23. HMPPS has introduced Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators in four probation regions and plans to expand them to all regions in England and Wales by 2024/25, with an evaluation report due in Autumn 2022.
Paragraph Reference:
62
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The MoJ and HMPPS welcomes the continued roll-out of NHS England and NHS Improvement’s RECONNECT, a care after custody service, which is supporting prison leavers to remain engaged with the right treatment upon resettlement through referrals into health services. NHS England and NHS Improvement undertook a “Lessons Learned” exercise during the first year of the RECONNECT pathfinders and is commissioning an evaluation through the National Institute for Health Research, which is due to commence 2022/23. 15 Integration and Innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all (publishing.service.gov. uk) HMPPS has introduced Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators in four probation regions to increase local awareness of offenders’ needs and ensure that clear pathways to treatment are in place by building connections between prisons, probation, commissioners and providers across mental health and substance misuse services. HMPPS is currently conducting a process evaluation of the roll-out and implementation of the Health and Justice Partnership Coordinator role, as well as wider initiatives to reduce reoffending. A published report is expected in Autumn 2022, capturing lessons learnt and identifying best practice to support future delivery. A full evaluation to explore the longer-term impacts is also planned, subject to a feasibility study. To support improvements across the country, we intend to expand Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators to every probation region in England and within Wales by 2024/25. Use of prison to accommodate mentally ill people because community care is not available