Aylesbury

I understand the Board’s request for stronger commitment and resource for young adult (YA) rehabilitation. It is recognised that YAs, those aged 18-25 years old, have distinct needs relating to their maturity and development, and the Ministry of Justice and HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) are committed to developing approaches which respond to these needs. An action plan in response to HM Inspectorate of Prisons short thematic report on Outcomes for Young Adults in Custody was published in January 2021 which included the commitment to develop a national operational strategy for YAs. An evidence informed maturity screening tool is available across prisons and probation to assess YA males who are still maturing neurologically in order to identify those most in need of support. In February 2020 a year long project began with a focus on achieving better outcomes and experiences for YAs, including those within the Long Term and High Security Estate. The projects work was evidence based, drawing on data, research papers and professional expertise, including clinical and operational experience. Consideration was given to the demographics of the YA population, the regime, activities and services delivered, how YAs transitioned and progressed, as well as equalities issues and what best practice looked like. Staff training was a key component to the project and a dedicated YA section has been created on HMPPS My Learning to help staff understand some of the complexities of the YA cohort. The first YA training was delivered to the Unlocked Graduates cohort in 2021 and staff training priorities have been agreed with the YA pathfinder prisons to pilot this new training. A series of mini seminars are now underway that focus on themes relevant to working with a YA cohort.

Turning to the Board’s concerns about prisoners with serious mental ill health, NHS England and NHS Improvement continues to work to reduce the numbers with serious mental ill health that are remanded and sentenced to custody. This includes commissioning Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion Services that offer screening and assessment of people with vulnerabilities in Police Custody Suites and Courts which provide individual health needs information for Courts and Probation Services to inform sentencing decisions. Where individuals are remanded or sentenced to custody relevant health information is shared with the prison to allow the local mental health team to support the individual. The overall strategic direction continues to be the maintenance of the existing adult secure bed capacity but with improved geographical distribution and efficiency across the pathway. It is recognised that prisoners have had long waits for transfer to secure hospital throughout the pandemic due to positive Covid-19 cases within the mental health hospital estate resulting in delayed admissions. Providing access to secure hospital is part of the Restoration and Recovery of Services across the healthcare sector and new performance metrics commenced in April 2021 to monitor referrals, assessments and transfers under the Mental Health Act. The Government remains determined to improve the transfer process and is committed to introducing a new statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers to mental health hospitals from custody. Legislation changes will take place once the NHS England and NHS Improvement good practice guidance is fully embedded which was published in June 2021 and promotes the timely access to appropriate treatment and reduces unnecessary delays.

It is acknowledged that HMYOI Aylesbury has had a series of Covid-19 outbreaks during the pandemic. During this time the risk to life has been balanced against the need to offer a safe, decent and worthwhile regime for the YAs which has always been at the forefront of decision making. The prison’s population being primarily YAs, resulted in the vaccine roll-out being later than in many other prisons with the prioritisation primarily based on age in line with the community, as this approach remains the most effective way of reducing deaths and hospitalisation from Covid-19. HMYOI Aylesbury moved steadily through the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services as part of its recovery, from a restricted regime during the national lockdown periods to Stage 1 of recovery. This provided a more progressive regime with all activity areas open offering real opportunities to YAs again. HMYOI Aylesbury continues to be guided by Gold Command in HMPPS Headquarters regarding the restrictions necessary to ensure a safe regime is provided and risk management will continue to play an integral part whilst Covid-19 remains prevalent in our society.

National targets for education and training outcomes are set in the contract with providers and there are financial penalties in place where targets are not met. These targets are backed by professionally informed practice and supported by data analysis through the education management information system. In addition, local level Key Performance Indicator targets are set and monitored through Monthly Establishment Performance Meetings and qualified contract managers are in place to ensure delivery is in line with the service commissioned by the Governor.

National targets for education and training outcomes are set in the contract with providers and there are financial penalties in place where targets are not met. These targets are backed by professionally informed practice and supported by data analysis through the education management information system. In addition, local level Key Performance Indicator targets are set and monitored through Monthly Establishment Performance Meetings and qualified contract managers are in place to ensure delivery is in line with the service commissioned by the Governor.