Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Accepted
Paragraph: 92
NHS RECONNECT programme remains in infancy, failing to ensure continuity of care.
Conclusion
Despite longstanding difficulties arranging continuity of healthcare for prisoners on their release, the NHS RECONNECT programme, which is meant to resolve these problems, is in its infancy. In the meantime, prisoners who have been receiving treatment in prison for mental illnesses are often released to find that there are no services for them in the community, including no medication. The transition from prison to life outside is challenging enough for these prisoners without this sudden withdrawal of their mental health support and treatment. It does not benefit the public if these prisoners fall into chaotic lifestyles, with the increased risk of re- offending that brings, because the support and treatment they had in prison has been removed.
Government Response Summary
The government welcomes the roll-out of NHS RECONNECT for prison leavers and is expanding Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators to improve local pathways to mental health and substance misuse services across all probation regions by 2024/25.
Paragraph Reference:
92
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. 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.