The Verne

I have read your report with care and appreciate your desire to see improved services for end of life care. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) work in collaboration with health and social care colleagues to ensure equitable access to palliative and end of life care in prisons. HMPPS and NHS England co-produced the ‘Dying Well in Custody Charter - Self-Assessment Tool’ (England Only) was published in 2024 and provides practical examples for health care and prison staff to support people in palliative or end of life care well in prisons. NHS England have been in discussion with HMPPS regarding developing a plan to further enhance the end of life care offer regionally, with the aim of creating more bespoke pathways for prisoners requiring complex care. This will seek to build on the positive relationships with wider healthcare providers including local hospices. Regarding specific provision at HMP The Verne, the benefits of an end of life suite are regularly reviewed but it is considered that this would have a minimal impact on the number of bed watches. There have been several prisoners who have required end of life care while at HMP The Verne and I understand that they have received dignified and compassionate care. In part this is thanks to the introduction of the excellent social care suite. I am delighted to read of the positive impact of the social care suite in supporting the wellbeing of the most sick and disabled prisoners.

HMPPS currently has no plans to replace the healthcare unit. Unfortunately, demands for maintenance are much greater than the available funding. Therefore, HMPPS must prioritise works very carefully to make best use of that funding. Considerable work has been undertaken to improve the existing healthcare facilities, including a complete re-roof to prevent water penetration and eliminate dampness. The entire building has been redecorated, giving it a clean and fresh appearance.

As set out in your report, funding has been agreed for The Verne to implement the next generation of Offending Behaviour Programmes (OBP) - ‘Building Choices’. Programme delivery affects two-thirds of the population at HMP The Verne in terms of parole eligibility, making it crucial for the rehabilitation and progression of prisoners. One benefit of Building Choices is the ability to flex delivery between moderate and high intensity demand and hence reduce the need for transfers for different programmes. The prison has started recruitment and are in the process of recruiting a Programme Manager, Treatment Manager, and Intervention Facilitators, who will be central to ensuring the correct groundwork and environmental support is in place for the successful roll out of OBP interventions at The Verne. Alongside the prison’s recruitment campaign, Psychology Services Group have begun recruitment to expand their psychology support at the site and ensure clinical oversight of the programme roll out and ongoing quality. They have also identified a Trainee Psychologist to attend training and support programme delivery. At present we anticipate training places will be available in April/May 2025, with delivery starting early in the new financial year. HM Inspectorate of Prisons also raised in its most recent report that HMP The Verne was not fulfilling its key purpose as a training prison for prisoners convicted of sexual offences (PCoSOs). As a result, there is a commitment for the establishment to work in collaboration with HMPPS Interventions Services and the Prison Group Psychology Lead to formulate a Programmes Strategy and Action Plan to ensure a range of interventions is available to PCoSOs. The Action Plan will be reviewed on a quarterly basis at the Reducing Reoffending meeting chaired by the Governor.