Source · Select Committees · Justice Committee

Recommendation 16

16 Accepted in Part Paragraph: 102

Older prisoners can experience greater levels of institutionalisation and be less able to live independently...

Recommendation
Older prisoners can experience greater levels of institutionalisation and be less able to live independently following their release compared to younger cohorts. Many will require additional support to prepare them to re-join society. Release programmes and guidance that are age relevant, focusing on issues such as using technology, finding accommodation, and accessing pensions and benefits, should be available to all older prisoners.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government describes NHS England's RECONNECT service, funded with £20 million, which supports vulnerable prison leavers to engage with community health services. This partially addresses the recommendation for support, but doesn't explicitly cover broader age-relevant guidance on technology, accommodation, or benefits.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference: 102
Government Response Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract Accepted in Part
• Under the new resettlement model, pre-release planning with a service user will now include face to face interaction with a National Probation Service responsible community offender manager. These offender managers will be in a position to provide information and support specific to service users’ requirements, including those which particularly affect older offenders.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗