Recommendation 11

Continuing to incarcerate prisoners with severe dementia, who may no longer remember or understand why they are imprisoned, raises practical and ethical 46 Ageing prison population considerations, especially as their condition is very difficult to manage on the prison estate. Equally, the Committee recognises that a significant element of this cohort are convicted for historic sexual offences. Particular attention must be given to the feelings of victims of such cases, both because of the nature of the offending itself and because of delays often experienced in bringing such perpetrators to justice. We recognise that some of those victims may consider that alternative custody arrangements and potential early release of some individuals risks adding to the suffering that they have already endured. This must be taken into consideration. The Government should review whether alternative arrangements for housing prisoners with advanced dementia would be more appropriate in some circumstances.