Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Accepted
Inconsistent delivery of prison resettlement services undermines effective support for prison leavers.
Recommendation
HMPPS told us one of its biggest concerns is whether it can consistently deliver its vision for probation services across all corners of England and Wales.13 In 2022–23, an HMPPS review found 14 out of 27 key events in the resettlement process were not routinely happening. For example, essential handover meetings between prison and probation staff did not happen as intended in 50% of cases between April 2022 and January 2023.14 In response to our question about what it was doing to ensure that no-one going through the prison system gets missed, MoJ told us it has a programme of work over the next two years to improve the consistency of resettlement support.15
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation and committed to agreeing a plan by May 2024 to ensure consistent resettlement services, aiming for an adequate service by April 2025, driven by new Area Executive Director roles. HMPPS will provide an action plan to the Committee within six months.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: May 2024 HMPPS is committed to ensuring that resettlement services provide consistent and adequate support to prison leavers, to reduce reoffending and protect the public. The creation of HMPPS's Area Executive Director (AED) roles in October 2023 will drive increased collaboration and joint working between prisons and probation, a vital component of effective resettlement services. HMPPS will agree a plan to improve short term resettlement performance for all adult prison leavers. This will set out key resettlement priorities to ensure that, by April 2025, an adequate and consistent resettlement service is in place for all prison leavers. This work is focused on enabling AEDs and frontline operations. It will set the foundations for longer term continuous improvement, taking into account overall system demand pressures. HMPPS will respond to the Committee by the six-month deadline, setting out the agreed approach and action plan.