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National Audit Office

Improving the prison estate

This report examines the condition and capacity of HM Prison and Probation Service’s prison estate.

Published 7 Feb 2020 Value for Money Ministry of Justice 12 recommendations

Report on nao.org.uk ↗

Topics: Commercial and financial management, Commercial and regulation, Crime, justice and law, Performance management, Procurement and contract management, Project and service delivery

Recommendations 12

11 accepted. 1 partially accepted. 8 implemented.

Recommendation 1

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 11/2022 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 10, point a, first bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
a) HMPPS should develop a coherent, long-term strategy for the prison estate that extends beyond in-year and Spending Review budget cycles. This should include setting out:
• a clearer articulation of expected conditions for prisoners and facilities;

Recommendation 2

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 11/2024 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 10, point a, second bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• minimum levels of capital investment needed to ensure a safe, decent and compliant estate, balancing future maintenance needs against constructing new prison places;

Recommendation 3

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 12/2021 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 10, point a, third bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• how its estates strategy aligns with its other strategies to ensure its plans are supported by the right resources and skills;

Recommendation 4

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 12/2021 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 10, point a, fourth bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• how it can reduce demand for prison places in areas within its influence; and

Recommendation 5

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 01/2024 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 10, point a, fifth bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• how it will monitor the operational consequences of emerging policies and practices, as well as its capacity and capability to respond.

Recommendation 6

Response: Partially accepted · Delivery: implemented, 03/2026 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point b, first bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
b) HMPPS should use this strategy to work with HM Treasury to agree in principle a multi-year funding envelope for the prison estate, to provide stability for longer-term planning by:
• establishing long-term funding commitments for the prison estate beyond the current Spending Review period; and

Recommendation 7

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 06/2024 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point b, second bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• clarifying the position on alternative financing options as soon as possible.

Recommendation 8

Response: Accepted · Delivery: no longer relevant (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point c

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
c) HMPPS should apply the learning from its facilities management contracts in the lead-up to Amey’s contract coming to an end in May 2020. Specifically, if it decides to re-let contracts, it should assure itself that it:

Recommendation 9

Response: Accepted · Delivery: implemented, 11/2021 (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point c, first bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• has a detailed understanding of asset volumes and conditions;

Recommendation 10

Response: Accepted · Delivery: no longer relevant (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point c, second bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• allows enough time for due diligence;

Recommendation 11

Response: Accepted · Delivery: no longer relevant (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point c, third bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• uses appropriate data to estimate future maintenance liabilities; and

Recommendation 12

Response: Accepted · Delivery: no longer relevant (confirmed by the NAO)

Addressed to HM Prison and Probation Service · Page 11, point c, fourth bullet point

Recommendation (the NAO's words)
• establishes its risk appetite for variations in providers’ performance and compliance.

Public Accounts Committee follow-up 1 report

The Public Accounts Committee examined this NAO report and made its own recommendations. The government replies to those in Treasury Minutes.