Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Prisoners applying for early release on compassionate grounds should have their applications processed in an...
Recommendation
Prisoners applying for early release on compassionate grounds should have their applications processed in an efficient and timely manner. This is especially important for terminally ill prisoners near the end of their lives. We recommend prisons identify a single member of staff to have overall responsibility for progressing an application for compassionate release. (Paragraph 97) Ageing prison population 47 The release and resettlement of older prisoners
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
• HMPPS established the Residential Accommodation and Support Service in April 2019 (RASS). This was primarily to raise the profile of offender accommodation on a national platform; previously, offender accommodation was managed along regional lines. RASS does not provide sustainable accommodation for offenders on release, but will provide temporary residence through its Approved Premises estate, the Bail Accommodation Support Service and Langley House Trust. Offenders in residence will receive support to find permanent, more suitable accommodation during their stay. While none of these services are targeted specifically at the older cohort, there is a recognition there will be a greater need to provide for this cohort in future. In particular, the provision at Langley House Trust specialises in providing residence for offenders with high support needs, and HMPPS is exploring how capacity can be increased. In addition, monies have been made available to improve the condition of the Approved Premises estate, including addressing accessibility issues.