Aylesbury

Response
I have read your report with care and fully understand the needs for sentencing reform including the concern you raise about re-sentencing and licences for Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) prisoners. Whilst this Government does want to make progress in relation to IPP prisoners, we cannot take any steps that would put the public at risk. A resentencing exercise would result in dangerous IPP prisoners being released without the Parole Board determining that they are safe to be released. However, we have implemented reforms to the IPP licence period in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 which we supported in opposition. These commenced on 1 November 2024, when the licences for 1,742 IPP offenders in the community were terminated. The remaining reforms were implemented on 1 February 2025, when the reduced qualifying period for consideration of licence termination was introduced. This is resulting in around 600 additional referrals being made to the Parole Board.

Response
You also ask for a focus on establishing more appropriate penalties to reduce the number of people sent to prison, as well as those being recalled to custody. Whilst sentencing is a matter for the independent Judiciary, we have already delivered on a manifesto commitment to bring sentencing guidelines up to date and ensure the sentencing framework is consistent. An Independent Review of Sentencing chaired by former Lord Chancellor, David Gauke was launched on 22 October 2024 with findings due to be submitted in full by Spring 2025. The recall of an offender to custody is also an important public protection measure. It is used only where it is necessary to protect the public and the aim is always to help offenders to complete their licence successfully with Offender Managers exploring other risk management steps before requesting a recall.

Response
Turning to the prioritisation of pre-release welfare and employment planning, it is acknowledged that HMP Aylesbury as a training prison would not normally be releasing prisoners to the same extent as other sites but due to the capacity challenges in the prison estate and early schemes, HMP Aylesbury did release around 100 prisoners in 2024. Despite this, in terms of releases, performance for HMP Aylesbury during the Board’s reporting period was 94% housed on the first night and 100% for the 2024 calendar year. However, we do recognise that often the location of an Approved Premise placement for example is not known until very close to release due to demand for places. Whilst there are no plans locally to develop a resettlement service at HMP Aylesbury, resettlement input is being provided by the Pre-Release Team based at HMP Bullingdon, which has recently been fully recruited to provide this dedicated support. HMP Aylesbury is also being robust in re-establishing Offender Flows to allow those prisoners reaching the end of their sentence to be transferred to a designated resettlement provision to ensure they can receive the benefits these prisons can provide them. HMPPS continues to work to give prisoners the support they need to break through barriers to get into work on release and fill skills gaps. An Employment on Release Policy Framework was published in April 2024, providing guidance on best practice to resource and operate employment initiatives, to support prisoners on this part of their resettlement journey. It is recognised that there are insufficient activity places for all prisoners and some places do lack quality at HMP Aylesbury. However, there have been local innovations and attempts to forge partnerships to make improvements. In addition, to the land-based activity and a print workshop that exist at HMP Aylesbury, the prison has recently recommenced the accredited bike qualification, which has been well received and are looking to expand its work with Recirculate into Waste Management, where prisoners will be upcycling and repairing. The recently established Employment Advisory Board, including business leaders from the community, also held its first meeting in January 2025 and will be supporting the prison to help maximise activity options further. New Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance contracts will also be in place from April 2025. In the interim establishments are able to use “Lightcast” which highlights skills needs in the community and Prison Employment Leads are now established across the Estate. These elements should allow a curriculum to be commissioned that is appropriate and related to the modern needs of the workplace.

Response
Regarding the management of third-party contracts, to improve delivery from a health perspective, NHS England Health and Justice South East made the relevant changes to the contract for the delivery of integrated healthcare services within six months of the reconfiguration of HMP Aylesbury. This allows for an appropriate range of provision to be provided to meet the health needs of the new all-age male population. The Education contract, which includes vocational training, is designed to be flexible in order to allow for differing populations across establishments. I can provide assurance to the Board that during the lifetime of the current contract education performance has improved in terms of the number of learners engaging with education, the achievement rates for qualifications and the amount of positive feedback received from Ofsted. Locally HMP Aylesbury is also able to commission courses that meet the needs of their specific population and vary that provision as their population changes. For example, the prison has recently commissioned a four-week rail track course with Elite, providing training in working on the railways and this is linked to employment with Elite post release.

Response
HMPPS does continually review and improve the learning offered to operational staff and are currently exploring how the foundation training offer can be improved further via The Enable Programme. The Enable Programme is a long-term strategy aimed at transforming how HMPPS trains, develops, leads, and supports prison staff. Prior to Lord Timpson’s ministerial appointment, he conducted an independent review of Prison Officer foundation training and the findings from that review are being brought together with The Enable Programme, which is considering both the ‘what’ and ‘how’ Prison Officers learn from the start of their career and develop throughout. As the Board is aware, all new Prison Officers begin with a two-week induction at their home establishment to familiarise themselves with the environment and complete some independent learning. This is followed by seven weeks of face-to-face Foundation training at Prison College. However, via The Enable Programme, we are looking to re-define foundation training as a 12-month modular package. Whilst this new foundation offer is being scoped, built and tested, a new Core Capability Package of learning is being developed for Prison Officers between six and eighteen months into their service to enhance their opportunities to learn, develop, achieve, and build confidence, capability and feel valued. Locally, HMP Aylesbury has been prioritising the support, retention and development of new staff. Measures have included the investment of an additional New Colleague Mentor (NCM) above what is funded to provide personalised care and support, as well as focus groups being run with new staff to understand and learn from their experience to make improvements. Significantly, HMP Aylesbury has also designated D wing as a “training wing”, providing an environment that is designed to be a learning but working wing for new staff. This includes the presence of NCMs, colleagues identified as peer mentors and selected staff and prisoners, allowing new Prison Officers to work on D wing upon their return from Prison college to develop and receive the support they need or additional training for other staff.

Response
HMPPS continues to work to give prisoners the support they need to break through barriers to get into work on release and fill skills gaps. An Employment on Release Policy Framework was published in April 2024, providing guidance on best practice to resource and operate employment initiatives, to support prisoners on this part of their resettlement journey. It is recognised that there are insufficient activity places for all prisoners and some places do lack quality at HMP Aylesbury. However, there have been local innovations and attempts to forge partnerships to make improvements. In addition, to the land-based activity and a print workshop that exist at HMP Aylesbury, the prison has recently recommenced the accredited bike qualification, which has been well received and are looking to expand its work with Recirculate into Waste Management, where prisoners will be upcycling and repairing. The recently established Employment Advisory Board, including business leaders from the community, also held its first meeting in January 2025 and will be supporting the prison to help maximise activity options further. New Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance contracts will also be in place from April 2025. In the interim establishments are able to use “Lightcast” which highlights skills needs in the community and Prison Employment Leads are now established across the Estate. These elements should allow a curriculum to be commissioned that is appropriate and related to the modern needs of the workplace.

Response
It is recognised that many people who commit low-level offences can be managed more effectively in the community, with the right treatment and support to tackle the causes of their offending behaviour. We are committed to early intervention and diverting offenders with mental health needs and other vulnerabilities away from prison or out of the criminal justice system altogether, where appropriate. We are working to strengthen Liaison & Diversion pathways, as well as piloting a regional North East Health and Justice Hub, with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services and NHS England to smooth the pathway into the right treatment and support for defendants, whether that is in hospital or in the community. Furthermore, the Mental Health Bill introduced to Parliament on the 6 November 2024, sets out vital reforms to support people with severe mental illness in the criminal justice system, removing the power to remand an individual to prison 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 Bill also includes ending the use of prison as a place of safety, meaning those who meet the criteria for detention under the Mental Health Act must be transferred directly to hospital, ensuring swifter access to the care they need. However, we recognise that vulnerable people already in prison who meet the threshold for detention under the Mental Health Act and require a transfer to hospital continue to experience delays. The reforms in the Mental Health Bill aim to speed up access to specialist inpatient care and ensuring that offenders and defendants with severe mental health needs are able to access appropriate and timely support in the most appropriate setting. In response to the national delays being experienced, NHS England in the Southeast are working to implement a quality improvement initiative in partnership with adult secure provider collaboratives. It is also acknowledged that people in prison are entitled to receive health and social care that is equivalent in range and quality to that they would receive in the community and NHS England Health and Justice are committed to improving the screening, assessment and support arrangements for those in custody. Whilst there is more to do the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS have implemented a Neurodiversity Support Manager role in each prison. This role will provide training and guidance to staff to equip them to better support neurodivergent individuals and ensuring that reasonable adjustments are made to make prison environments more supportive of neurodivergent needs. For individuals requiring higher levels of support, some prisons have already introduced neurodiversity wings or created specific areas which focus on the sensory and mental health requirements for prisoners with complex needs. We also know that the number of older prisoners, including those with dementia, has risen significantly over the past 20 years, and the challenges this increase can bring to prisons. We are considering currently how best to ensure the needs of older prisoners are reflected in wider strategic work. In the interim, we have a range of work ongoing to improve support for them, focusing on working with partners to improve health and care support for older prisoners, how we are using the estate to best meet their needs, and how to spread best practice on purposeful activity.

Response
The Governor noted that celebration of academic and work success was limited in the reporting year. He added that there were plans in place to host more regular celebrations of educational and work-based success, engaging families to further promote such efforts.

Response
Despite the concerns the Board raises and recognising there is further work to do, I was really pleased that the Board have acknowledged the increase in staffing and in turn the improved regime this is providing. It was very encouraging to receive your comments about safety in HMP Aylesbury. Due to the full transformation into a category C training prison, there has been a marked reduction in gang-related violence and an associated fall in the need to trace non-associates across the prison. I also welcome the Board being able to have more constructive conversation with prison leaders and I am aware that the Governor appreciates the positive insight and the experience of those in custody which the Board is able to share. HMPPS continues to work to give prisoners the support they need to break through barriers to get into work on release and fill skills gaps. An Employment on Release Policy Framework was published in April 2024, providing guidance on best practice to resource and operate employment initiatives, to support prisoners on this part of their resettlement journey. It is recognised that there are insufficient activity places for all prisoners and some places do lack quality at HMP Aylesbury. However, there have been local innovations and attempts to forge partnerships to make improvements. In addition, to the land-based activity and a print workshop that exist at HMP Aylesbury, the prison has recently recommenced the accredited bike qualification, which has been well received and are looking to expand its work with Recirculate into Waste Management, where prisoners will be upcycling and repairing. The recently established Employment Advisory Board, including business leaders from the community, also held its first meeting in January 2025 and will be supporting the prison to help maximise activity options further. New Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance contracts will also be in place from April 2025. In the interim establishments are able to use “Lightcast” which highlights skills needs in the community and Prison Employment Leads are now established across the Estate. These elements should allow a curriculum to be commissioned that is appropriate and related to the modern needs of the workplace.