Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Paragraph: 77
Continuing to incarcerate prisoners with severe dementia, who may no longer remember or understand why...
Recommendation
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.
Paragraph Reference:
77
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
• In response to the HMIP and the CQC’s joint thematic report, HMPPS continues to build on the findings of the report by developing social care in custody. • This includes the introduction of the National Social Care Partnership Board, where HMPPS, MoJ, local authorities, NHS England, DHSC and Public Health England are all represented. This board is responsible for the strategic oversight of the enabling and delivery of social care services in prisons in England, and meets quarterly to provide assurance of prison and community social care performance and quality of service delivery. • HMPPS have also worked with governors to put in place Memorandums of Understanding between prisons and local authorities. Further recent developments include the development and procurement of a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Social Care for prison officers, and the preparation of a social care model of operational delivery.