Bronzefield

Response
It is regrettable that there appeared to be an increase in the number of women sent to HMP/YOI Bronzefield as a place of safety by the Courts. Further to last years’ response, I am pleased to update that the Mental Health Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. Whilst the new Mental Health Act 2025 will end the use of prison as a place of safety for people who have been assessed as needing hospital care to meet their mental health needs, the Bail Act 1976 will also be amended to prevent the remand of a defendant for their own protection solely on the grounds of mental health. Instead, courts will be directed to bail the defendant and work with local health services to put in place appropriate support and care to address risks to their safety. The significant reforms contained in the recently passed Sentencing Act 2026 will provide the Courts with further options. I am aware that sometimes the use of the term ‘place of safety’ is used mistakenly to describe a wider group of people in prison with severe mental health needs. A number of these people will be waiting to be transferred to hospital when a bed is available for them, and I recognise that many are currently waiting too long. To address this issue, the Mental Health Act 2025 introduces a statutory 28-day time limit for these transfers to take place in line with existing NHS good practice guidelines. The Ministry of Justice is working closely with NHS England to support the national Mental Health and Justice Strategic Advisory Group which is focused on meeting the requirements of the legislation and will report directly to Parliament. The group will have oversight of the transfer process and brings together key partners to identify and deliver solutions to address common causes of delays. Further to last years’ response, NHS England have completed the scoping work to ensure clinical leadership throughout the clinical pathway from and to prison and mental health hospital. As mentioned in the Minister’s letter, the Mental Health Act 2025 introduces a new statutory time limit of 28-days for the transfer of patients with a mental disorder from prison and other places of detention to hospital. This time limit, together with operational improvements, aims to reduce unnecessary delays and deliver swifter access to treatment. The Mental Health and Justice Strategic Advisory Group will have oversight to assure the 28-day transfer process. Working closely with the healthcare provider, the prison will continue to provide appropriate care for individuals suffering acute mental health problems to keep them safe prior to appropriate transfer.

Response
Turning to your continued concerns about the integration of healthcare services at HMP/YOI Bronzefield, NHS England undertook a full independent review of the healthcare model at the prison in 2025. Recommendations included a new service model which integrates staff, prescribing practices, and co-location. The healthcare provider (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust - CNWL) and Sodexo are already strengthening integration between both parties by adding the CNWL Head of Healthcare to Sodexo’s Senior Leadership Team, clarifying roles, and co-designing health and wellbeing strategies for prisoners.

Response
The Board will be aware of the range of services provided by Commissioned Rehabilitative Services (CRS) providers to support women at HMP/YOI Bronzefield for both pre-release and post-release needs. To further support discharged prisoners, the CRS is currently procuring new contracts for women’s services which will go live in Spring 2028, which will better reflect the persistent, time-consuming support needed to secure and maintain housing and jobs. The future providers will be based in prisons delivering services to the whole population including those on remand. The service will address immediate needs on reception and other issues that arise throughout someone's time in custody. Providers will also be expected to offer a pre-release meeting with the community-based provider and also a ‘meet at the gate’ service for vulnerable prisoners who will benefit from being accompanied to accommodation or appointments on the day of release. The future services will also help individuals develop new lifestyles and relationships which are not linked to offending or substance misuse.

Response
It is regrettable that there appeared to be an increase in the number of women sent to HMP/YOI Bronzefield as a place of safety by the Courts. Further to last years’ response, I am pleased to update that the Mental Health Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. Whilst the new Mental Health Act 2025 will end the use of prison as a place of safety for people who have been assessed as needing hospital care to meet their mental health needs, the Bail Act 1976 will also be amended to prevent the remand of a defendant for their own protection solely on the grounds of mental health. Instead, courts will be directed to bail the defendant and work with local health services to put in place appropriate support and care to address risks to their safety. The significant reforms contained in the recently passed Sentencing Act 2026 will provide the Courts with further options. I am aware that sometimes the use of the term ‘place of safety’ is used mistakenly to describe a wider group of people in prison with severe mental health needs. A number of these people will be waiting to be transferred to hospital when a bed is available for them, and I recognise that many are currently waiting too long. To address this issue, the Mental Health Act 2025 introduces a statutory 28-day time limit for these transfers to take place in line with existing NHS good practice guidelines. The Ministry of Justice is working closely with NHS England to support the national Mental Health and Justice Strategic Advisory Group which is focused on meeting the requirements of the legislation and will report directly to Parliament. The group will have oversight of the transfer process and brings together key partners to identify and deliver solutions to address common causes of delays. Further to last years’ response, NHS England have completed the scoping work to ensure clinical leadership throughout the clinical pathway from and to prison and mental health hospital. As mentioned in the Minister’s letter, the Mental Health Act 2025 introduces a new statutory time limit of 28-days for the transfer of patients with a mental disorder from prison and other places of detention to hospital. This time limit, together with operational improvements, aims to reduce unnecessary delays and deliver swifter access to treatment. The Mental Health and Justice Strategic Advisory Group will have oversight to assure the 28-day transfer process. Working closely with the healthcare provider, the prison will continue to provide appropriate care for individuals suffering acute mental health problems to keep them safe prior to appropriate transfer.

Response
HMP/YOI Bronzefield is one of only three women’s prisons currently authorised to hold Restricted Status women and consequently contracted and funded to do so. In the event a transfer is established as the most suitable option for an individual, it is for the prisons to manage moves between themselves. HMPPS does not think it would be appropriate to arbitrarily distribute women with complex needs across the estate. Any decisions regarding transfers should be made in line with the individual’s needs and to support their progression. The Women’s Estate Case Advice and Support Panel continues to support prisons in the management of women with complex needs, and a range of evidence-based interventions and services are provided for women in prison. Referrals for all services are encouraged from across the female estate, to support women to access the services they need. These services include the Women’s Offender Personality Disorder Pathway, as well as the Women’s Estate Psychology Services team, which provides forensic psychologists within all women’s prisons, to deliver therapeutic services for women in our care. Additionally, NHS England have stood up a task group to address common understanding escalation pathways and standardised referral processes. A host of on-site services are available and include therapeutic groups and individual goal-centred therapies. Tailored care plans are also available and a new Complex Case Manager in the healthcare department has been introduced to coordinate support.

Response
Timeliness of complaint responses is an improving picture, although still not where the prison would want it to be. Complaints are now considered each day in the morning briefing, and the complaints team also sends out regular reminders. In addition, the prison has started allocating complaints to named individuals, rather than groups. The use of interim responses has been reduced. Progress: Limited progress observed (5.7).

Response
Key work delivery has improved by ‘ring fencing’ key workers on the daily rota to enable them to meet with prisoners to provide the support needed. This has been impacted by a very high volume of bed-watches. Sodexo has also been working with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) to reshape key work delivery to ensure that resource follows risk, rather than delivering to a ‘one size for all’ system. Progress: No progress observed during the reporting year (5.3).

Response
Bronzefield was required to introduce a reconciliation roll count following an HMPPS security audit in December 2024. This has not been without issue and senior leaders have given a lot of focus to monitoring delivery of this requirement. This will be a continued focus in the future. The main roll counts at lunchtime and evening lock up are now achieved on time, more often than not. Progress: Limited progress observed (3.1).

Response
The new Director has realigned the functional structure to ensure that the early days service properly included reception, first night centres and induction within the same portfolio. This now sits with residence and the TEDS (the early days service, formerly EDIC, or early days in custody) manager is driving better cohesion and collaboration among all parties. However, the significant change in the population demographic, to a very high remand proportion, means that the TEDS provision will be revisited to ensure it genuinely meets the needs of a high remand/recalled population. This is a priority project, which will be delivered in the next six months. Progress: No progress observed during the reporting year (4.1).

Response
Turning to your continued concerns about the integration of healthcare services at HMP/YOI Bronzefield, NHS England undertook a full independent review of the healthcare model at the prison in 2025. Recommendations included a new service model which integrates staff, prescribing practices, and co-location. The healthcare provider (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust - CNWL) and Sodexo are already strengthening integration between both parties by adding the CNWL Head of Healthcare to Sodexo’s Senior Leadership Team, clarifying roles, and co-designing health and wellbeing strategies for prisoners.

Response
Turning to your continued concerns about the integration of healthcare services at HMP/YOI Bronzefield, NHS England undertook a full independent review of the healthcare model at the prison in 2025. Recommendations included a new service model which integrates staff, prescribing practices, and co-location. The healthcare provider (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust - CNWL) and Sodexo are already strengthening integration between both parties by adding the CNWL Head of Healthcare to Sodexo’s Senior Leadership Team, clarifying roles, and co-designing health and wellbeing strategies for prisoners.

Response
As outlined in the Ministerial response, NHS England undertook a full independent review of the Healthcare model and provision in HMP/YOI Bronzefield in 2025. Healthcare providers worked considerably hard during the second half of 2025 to ensure robust recruitment processes are in place. This has seen good progress and resulted in nearly 80% of healthcare staff either in post, undergoing vetting, with offers of employment, or due to commence employment.

Response
Following the end of the reporting period, GP provision in reception at HMP/YOI Bronzefield was resolved. Both the primary care GP and substance misuse provision were reviewed, and any necessary changes have been implemented.