Poor mental health step-down planning

HMP Leicester is a well-run local male adult prison that maintained strong leadership and an engaged staff during a challenging year of COVID-19 restrictions. Despite prisoners being largely confined to cells for 23 hours daily, the prison saw significant reductions in violence, self-harm, and drug use, partly due to the restricted regime and enhanced security. The Board commended improvements in accommodation, healthcare, and resettlement support for homeless prisoners, though concerns remain regarding long waits for mental health transfers, IPP prisoner progress, and the impact of the ongoing restricted regime.

HMP and YOI Moorland adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic with a restricted regime, leading to reductions in violence and self-harm, and high reported safety levels. However, it also resulted in significant limitations on education, work, and association, impacting prisoner mental wellbeing and progression. Persistent national challenges, such as a shortage of secure psychiatric beds and inadequate food budgeting, continue to hinder effective prisoner care and resettlement despite local efforts.

This IMB report for HMP/YOI Low Newton covers March 2020 – February 2021, a period significantly impacted by Covid-19. The Board found the prison generally safe and prisoners treated humanely, commending staff for adapting well to pandemic challenges. Key concerns remain regarding the high number of prisoners with severe mental health issues, the need for funding for educational initiatives, and ongoing estate issues impacting purposeful activity.

HMP/YOI Eastwood Park faced a challenging reporting year (Nov 2021 – Oct 2022), marked by critical staffing shortages (17.5% below target), two deaths in custody, and exceptionally high self-harm levels, leading the IMB to no longer consider it safe for all women. The prison struggled with an increasing number of women with complex mental health needs, exacerbated by inadequate facilities and a lack of external secure placements, resulting in extended periods of segregation for some. Despite these issues, the Board commended staff professionalism, welcomed the new ONE women’s centre, and noted the prison’s high functional skills achievements.

HMP Lowdham Grange operated a restricted regime throughout the year due to COVID-19, which impacted various aspects of prison life and the Board's monitoring capabilities. Despite these challenges, the prison was generally well-managed, maintaining safety with reduced violence, effective healthcare provision, and positive staff-prisoner relationships, though staff morale declined. Key concerns remain around mental health transfers, property management, drug availability, and the progression of IPP prisoners, as well as the overall impact of lockdown on wellbeing.

This IMB report for HMP Nottingham covers a period entirely dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to severely restricted regimes with prisoners spending extended periods in cell and limited access to activities. While staff are commended for their commitment and efforts to mitigate the impact, significant concerns remain regarding the humane treatment of prisoners, particularly the extended cell confinement. Key issues include inadequate mental health provision leading to long segregation stays, the situation of IPP prisoners, and the lack of arrangements for second vaccine doses upon release.

The reporting year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, during which HMP Peterborough (Women) managed the emergency well, leading to significant improvements in safety outcomes. However, the restrictive regime severely impacted women's wellbeing and rehabilitation. Key concerns remain regarding national support for complex needs women, the effectiveness of the key worker system, and the need to adapt the regime better to women's specific needs.

For the reporting period ending March 2021, HMP Ranby operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions, including a 22-hour lockdown. Despite this, the prison commendably controlled Covid-19 outbreaks and saw significant reductions in self-harm and violence. However, the Board highlighted recurring concerns regarding mental health provision, cell sharing, resettlement issues, and deficiencies in prisoner complaint handling and transfer processes.

HMP Manchester's reporting year (ending Feb 2021) was defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and its re-categorisation to a Category B training prison. While the reduced population saw a positive decrease in violence and self-harm, the pandemic severely impacted the regime, leading to curtailed purposeful activity and extended periods of cell confinement. The Board expressed significant concern over the mental health of prisoners awaiting secure hospital transfers, highlighting unacceptable waiting times.

HMP/YOI Hollesley Bay commendably managed 2021 amidst Covid-19, maintaining a safe environment and strong communications. The prison successfully implemented new strategies focused on rehabilitation, earned progression, and employability, which have been largely welcomed. Key areas for development include addressing the ageing estate infrastructure, improving food quality, implementing a key worker system, and resolving issues with property loss and missed healthcare appointments, while also boosting education participation.

HMP Long Lartin, a Category A/B dispersal prison, operated under a severely restricted Covid-19 regime throughout 2021, leading to reduced activities and frustrations. While the prison was orderly and staff generally humane, violence increased, and self-harm incidents were high, largely due to a few complex individuals. Significant concerns persist regarding the inhumane night sanitation system, inadequate estate maintenance by Amey, and persistent delays in mental health hospital transfers.

HMP/YOI Isis, a training prison for young adults, faced significant challenges during 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic and its transition to a younger population. Self-harm and violence incidents rose considerably, though some safety measures like ACCT cases decreased. The Board expressed ongoing concerns about property issues, delays in mental health transfers, and the impact of reduced face-to-face education and purposeful activity on rehabilitation.

HMP Humber navigated 2021 under significant Covid-19 restrictions, with commendations for management and staff for maintaining stability and low violence. However, the Board expresses grave concerns about the long-term mental health impact of extended lock-up, critical staffing shortages, and issues with healthcare access. Resettlement efforts were hampered by probation service changes, and property loss remained an unresolved, recurring problem.

HMP Liverpool operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions in 2021, leading to prisoners spending only one hour a day out of cell, though the environment remained calm. While healthcare and education were maintained at appropriate levels, significant concerns persisted regarding the holding of mentally ill prisoners in unsuitable conditions and the lack of progress in engaging all prisoners in purposeful activity. The Board also highlighted issues with the use of body-worn cameras, prisoner property management, and the effectiveness of the new resettlement contractor.

HMP/YOI Downview experienced another year significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restricted regime and challenges across various departments. While the Board found the prison safe and prisoners treated fairly, it raised significant concerns regarding the management and provision of healthcare, staffing pressures, and the lack of digital access for education. These issues highlight the ongoing difficulties in maintaining optimal conditions and services for prisoners under pandemic and resource constraints.

HMP/YOI Feltham reported a population of 348 young people and young adults at the end of the reporting year. While physical health and general well-being are met, the prison struggles with serious long-term mental health issues. Safety remains a significant concern, with a notable increase in violence and use of force incidents post-Covid, alongside challenges related to staffing, disrepair of the estate, and the regime's adaptation to larger groups. The IMB identified several key concerns, including inadequate time out of cell, insufficient support for looked after children, and issues with prison fabric and gang culture.

HMP/YOI Foston Hall faced significant challenges in the reporting year, primarily due to acute staff shortages which severely impacted the regime, leading to frequent curtailments and long periods of cell confinement. Key concerns included high levels of self-harm and violence, inadequate accommodation, and slow progress in healthcare provision and resettlement outcomes. Despite these difficulties, the Board commended staff dedication and noted some improvements, such as the opening of better quality accommodation and enhanced chaplaincy services.

HMP Guys Marsh saw a return to a more normal regime after Covid restrictions, but persistent challenges remained, notably in staffing, safety, and healthcare provision. Violence, often driven by illicit substances, and the lack of effective key working were significant concerns. While some areas like the ISMS team and chaplaincy were commended, mental health services were hampered by the absence of a psychiatrist, and a death in custody highlighted communication and ACCT deficiencies. The Board also raised concerns about low attendance at purposeful activity, the condition of the estate's infrastructure, and the slow complaints process.

HMP High Down transitioned to a Category C training and resettlement prison in 2022, implementing gradual regime changes that have positively impacted prisoner life, including improved time out of cell and new community units. The Board noted reductions in self-harm and assaults, and commended improvements in induction and the visits hall. However, significant concerns remain regarding the welfare of IPP prisoners, long delays in transferring mentally unwell individuals, and a high proportion of prisoners leaving without settled accommodation. Persistent issues with lost property, inconsistent key work, and a lack of high-quality employment opportunities continue to hinder effective resettlement and overall humane treatment.

The IMB annual report for Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (HIRC) for 2022 highlights persistent issues despite generally safe conditions. Key concerns include the safety implications of processing South Coast Arrivals, the continued detention of individuals with severe mental health issues, and a dilapidated infrastructure leading to major service disruptions and a site evacuation. The report also raises concerns about the quality of food, the inappropriate use of the Care and Separation Unit, and a lack of effective engagement from the Detention Engagement Team.

Gatwick IRC, comprising Brook House and Tinsley House, generally provided a safe environment in 2022 despite high rates of detainee distress and an increase in violence. The Board noted improvements in safeguarding governance, positive staff interactions, and expanded healthcare services. However, significant concerns remain regarding the detention of vulnerable individuals, ineffective Rule 35 processes, persistent issues with legal and accommodation support, and Home Office data provision.

HMP The Verne maintains a generally safe and respectful environment, successfully implementing a new self-harm monitoring system and demonstrating strong staff-prisoner relationships. The Board commends the high-quality physical healthcare provision, including excellent vaccination rates, and welcomes the establishment of a new 16-room social care unit aimed at addressing the long-standing concern for elderly and frail prisoners. However, significant challenges persist, particularly in resettlement provision, severe understaffing in the Offender Management Unit leading to backlogs, and long waiting times for mental health services and external healthcare appointments due to staff shortages.

HMP/YOI New Hall, a closed category prison for women, held 365 residents against an operational capacity of 381. The Board noted positive developments in reception, staff-prisoner relationships, and the introduction of a drug recovery wing. However, significant concerns persist regarding the inadequate funding and suitability of the prison environment for women with complex mental health needs, leading to unacceptable delays in transfers to secure units. There was also a notable increase in healthcare-related applications to the IMB and issues impacting access to Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL).

HMP Lancaster Farms, a Category C resettlement prison, maintained a safe environment despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly reduced violence and drug use through an emergency regime. However, this regime led to extensive confinement, severely impacting purposeful activity, education, and family contact, raising concerns about humane treatment and mental health. The Board highlighted persistent issues with self-harm, use of force, inadequate mental health staffing, property management, and accommodation, while also noting improvements in complaints handling and key worker interactions.

HMP/YOI Norwich, a multi-functional category B, C, D, and YOI prison, experienced significant operational challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to severely restricted regimes. Key concerns include persistent overcrowding with inadequate toilet privacy, a severe rat infestation, and the lack of rehabilitative programmes for IPP prisoners. Despite strong local leadership and staff teamwork, issues such as staffing shortages, poor healthcare access, and inadequate induction processes remain pressing concerns for the Board.

The IMB report for HMP North Sea Camp for 2020-21 highlights an exceptionally difficult year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns. While the Board found the prison generally safe and humane with good healthcare, severe regime restrictions led to prisoner confinement and frustration. Key concerns include inadequate and aging accommodation, especially cramped double rooms, slow responses from the Offender Management Unit, and the lack of a dedicated end-of-life care facility.

HMP/YOI Preston operated under severe Covid-19 restrictions throughout the reporting year, facing two outbreaks that significantly impacted regime, staffing, and services. Despite these challenges, there were no prisoner deaths, and staff maintained good relations with prisoners, with some positive developments in digital communication and body scanner integration. However, key concerns persist around the outdated physical estate, chronic staffing shortages, and lengthy delays for mental health transfers.

HMP/YOI Peterborough (Men) operated under restricted Covid-19 regimes for the entire reporting year, impacting daily routines and rehabilitation. Despite this, the prison received credit for managing the pandemic well, leading to good safety outcomes, including significant reductions in violence and self-harm. Key concerns persist regarding resettlement accommodation, mental health provision in segregation, the future 'full regime,' and the full return of the key worker scheme.

HMP Kirkham, a Category D open prison, faced significant challenges during the reporting period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting regime consistency and leading to periods of lockdown and outbreak declarations. While the prison maintained fair and humane treatment and received commendations for its healthcare provision and resettlement efforts through the accelerator project, key concerns remain. These include the continued transfer of unsuitable prisoners, high drug use, infrastructure deficiencies, and issues with senior management cohesion and dedicated staffing for diversity and resettlement.

HMP Northumberland, a Category C prison, successfully managed the Covid-19 pandemic during 2021, maintaining a safe and humane environment with commendable staff dedication. While the regime was restricted, efforts were made to provide in-cell activities and gradually reopen purposeful activity. Key concerns remain around the lasting impact on prisoner mental health, insufficient opportunities for rehabilitation, and the unacceptable issue of prisoners being released into homelessness.

HMP Haverigg, an open Category D prison, maintains a safe and settled environment with very low levels of self-harm and violence. Despite significant staffing challenges, particularly in healthcare and offender management, the Board notes improvements in OMU staffing and highly regarded healthcare provision. Key concerns include the ineffective management of transfers from closed estates, inconsistencies across prisons, the need for enhanced IPP prisoner support, and persistent issues with prisoner property and communication from offender managers.

HMP Grendon, a Category B therapeutic prison, saw improvements in its regime post-Covid restrictions, with low levels of self-harm, assaults, and no deaths in custody. Staff-prisoner relationships remained excellent, and initiatives in diversity and family contact were strong. However, the prison faced ongoing challenges from a protracted fire safety project, persistent issues with night sanitation, and a noticeable erosion of its therapeutic culture post-pandemic. Significant concerns remain regarding staffing shortages in key areas, delays in transferring men out of therapy, and inadequate governance of healthcare data, all contributing to a difficult operational environment despite the positive progress in other areas.

HMP Garth, a Category B training prison, grapples with severe staff recruitment and retention issues, resulting in a largely inexperienced workforce and an ineffective key worker scheme. The restrictive regime, a consequence of staffing problems and post-pandemic recovery, limits prisoners' time out of cell and access to purposeful activity. Key concerns include the deteriorating estate, inadequate provisions for disabled individuals, and the persistent challenges faced by IPP prisoners, alongside ongoing issues with property transfers and an understaffed Offender Management Unit.

HMP Isle of Wight experienced a challenging 2022, marked by a population increase and the gradual easing of Covid restrictions, which allowed for a return to some normal regime activities. However, chronic staff shortages significantly hampered access to work, education, and healthcare, leading to prisoners spending considerable time locked up. The Board raised serious concerns regarding the inadequacy of mental health provision, the impact of staff shortages on all aspects of prison life, and the need for clarity and funding for the estate and the management of the Category C prisoner population.

The Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Doncaster reports a generally fair and humane treatment of prisoners, with good staff-prisoner relationships and improved education attendance. However, the prison faces significant challenges, primarily due to severe overcrowding and population pressures, leading to inhumane double occupancy of cells and restricted regimes. Key concerns include extended waits for mental health transfers, a problematic reception and induction process, and insufficient community support for released prisoners.

HMP/YOI Lincoln is deemed a well-run Category B local prison, effectively managed by the Governor's team, which maintained a humane regime and kept prisoners safe despite severe COVID-19 restrictions. The reporting year saw significant reductions in self-harm and violence, coupled with improvements in the physical environment and infectious disease management. Key concerns include slow maintenance, high prisoner homelessness on release, long waits for mental health transfers, and the ongoing issue of IPP prisoners held beyond tariff.

HMP/YOI Kirklevington Grange is a Category D open prison operating in a year significantly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. The report highlights the prison's successful management of the pandemic, leading to a safe environment, high ROTL success, and good healthcare provision. Key concerns include reduced operational capacity, delays in new accommodation, issues with property transfers, and difficulties with prisoners obtaining debit cards, alongside an altered perception of the open regime due to restrictions.

HMP Dovegate, a Category B training prison, operated in a calm and settled manner despite ongoing Covid challenges and staff shortages. The Board commended improvements in staff culture, the effective use of body-worn cameras, and the high standards of cleanliness and food provision. However, significant concerns persist regarding the lack of a national electronic system for property transfers, the slow progress on converting the healthcare inpatient unit, and the increasing number of remand prisoners. The Board has made recommendations to the Minister, Prison Service, and Director to address these issues, many of which have been highlighted in previous reports.

The policy whereby the NHS Reconnect service rejects some prisoners as not being suitable for their support on release is a gap in provision, which potentially results in early reoffending. What steps will the Minister take to rectify this issue?

Will the Minister ask the Prison Service to work with other Government Departments to put in place processes to ensure that prisoners with severe mental health issues do not spend extensive periods in the CSU and are transferred rapidly to facilities better able to care for them?

Are there plans to address: the inadequate provision for mental health throughout the criminal justice system, which is a serious concern? This is manifested in Foston Hall in a high level of unmet need for mental health treatment and delays in transferring prisoners to secure hospitals

We ask the Minister to explain how the Government intends to address longstanding and yet unresolved problems with the assessment and transfer of prisoners who present with serious mental health and personality disorders from HMP Wakefield to hospital (section 47, Mental Health Act 1983).

The Board is particularly concerned about the number of prisoners who have significant mental health issues and who are often on short-term sentences. Short-term sentences mitigate against constructive interventions on their behalf and, in any event, the prison is not equipped to deal with the complexity of problems these prisoners have. When will the Minister introduce measures that enable prisoners …

There are an increasing number of prisoners who are subject to gatekeeping and for whom the prison is not equipped to provide sufficient care. Referrals for specialist, secure accommodation result in lengthy gatekeeping processes, which can mean that prisoners are held for many months before they move on to more appropriate accommodation. How will the Prison Service ensure the process …

A total of 16 of the 22 prisoners serving IPP sentences at HMP Guys Marsh have been recalled to prison because of licence breaches. Does the Minister have concerns that there may be insufficient support for these prisoners in the community, given the human and financial costs of such recalls?

The Prison Service is aware of the inhumane length of time some prisoners have been in the CSU at HMP Liverpool whilst waiting for transfer to an appropriate mental health establishment. In the absence of any change will the Prison Service seek to bring additional resources to the site?

The Board, once again, requests that more emphasis and engagement is given to implementing the HMPPS strategy to prepare these prisoners for release.

How does the Minister plan to tackle the very serious issue of long waiting times for men with severe mental health issues or personality disorders to be transferred to a secure unit, given that transfers can take many months to accomplish?

The Board is concerned about the lack of process reintegrating prisoners who self-isolate back into the normal prison regime. What action will the Governor take to rectify the situation?

The continued development of appropriate support for vulnerable prisoners on release.

The Board continues to be concerned about men with diagnosed, or obviously diagnosable, mental health issues not being transferred to a secure mental health facility within the timescale specified in the protocol. This is evidenced by 26 men transferred from HMP Berwyn in 2022-2023 and 36 in 2023-2024, but only 18 in 2024-2025. It is further exacerbated by prisoners waiting …

For the fifth consecutive year, the Board asks in its annual report what, if anything, is being done to increase the number of secure mental health hospital beds available to meet the needs of the complex YP who are in urgent need of such support, and for whom prison is clearly not the correct place? What is being done to …

The wait for a secure outside hospital bed for severely mentally ill prisoners held in HMP Thameside continues to be a serious inhumanity which requires greater government priority.

We urge the minister to require HMPPS, working with NHS England, to develop concrete action plans to address the continued detention of prisoners with enduring or chronic mental health problems and those with personality disorders, as a prison environment that will not deliver the positive changes needed.

Improved prison-led support is required for those with anxiety, stress, depression, autism and/or personality disorder in order to supplement the input from the mental health and healthcare teams, and hence better mirror the opportunities available in the community.

For those with more complex needs, the minister should encourage and support much faster transfer times to specialist mental health units, given the disruption and drain on prison resources of housing these prisoners in a local prison.

Continue to work with colleagues in other government departments to ensure that appropriate facilities are available for those prisoners with mental health issues, in order to prevent the need for prisons to hold such prisoners in segregation for extended periods.

Despite best local efforts, the board is concerned that prisoners who are in need of transfer to a mental health institution sometimes wait far too long for an appropriate placement (see paragraph 6.2.3.3). The absence of a comprehensive and readily accessible personality disorder treatment service is a continuing concern.

Does the minister agree that assisting them to make progress to safe discharge should have a higher priority?

That effective support for mental health issues is developed within prisons and after leaving should they still be required.

As raised last year, Covid-19 and the introduction of new contracts have had a negative impact on the information advice and guidance available to men prior to and on release. Resolving this now needs to be a priority to ensure prisoners receive comprehensive support at this time of potential vulnerability.

The Board notes that the prison experienced significant delays in being able to transfer men to more appropriate establishments and settings, especially those relating to mental ill-health. The Board considers that this lack of secure mental health facilities needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

We urge the Minister to heed the CPT’s request for rapid transfer of people with serious mental illness to appropriate mental health settings, and to put in place sufficient funds to enable this to happen.

Provision should be made in appropriate secure specialist mental health facilities for the small number of very challenging women with highly complex mental health needs. These are often a result of traumatic lives and manifest as prolific self-harm. Prison is a totally inadequate ‘revolving door’ for these prisoners (4.2).

The Board would expect to see the full range of resettlement support provided following the handover from community rehabilitation companies (CRCs) to the National Probation Service (NPS), especially as NPS will be restricting their activities further.

The Board remains concerned about the availability of mental health support for prisoners and the delay in identifying appropriate placements for prisoners with serious mental health conditions.

To provide a framework in the post-Covid structured regime that supports and funds innovative programmes of rehabilitation, mental health provision, education, skills development and self-improvement for prisoners instead of requiring them to be locked in their cells for long periods.

With regard to prisoners with mental health issues, the Board continues to be concerned about the absence of a comprehensive and readily accessible personality disorder treatment service (see paragraph 6.3.1).

The Minister should outline plans in coordination with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure adequate provision for prisoners with acute mental health needs.

The Board is aware of the Justice Select Committee’s IPP review and announcements at the end of the reporting period and also the new initiatives Rye Hill is putting in place to support this cohort. However, we are still concerned that they will make little material difference to those with complex needs without dedicated budget provision. The issue of IPP …

The Prison Service is aware of the inhumane length of time some prisoners have been in the CSU at HMP Liverpool whilst waiting for transfer to an appropriate mental health establishment. What will the Prison Service do to ensure that prisoners at HMP Liverpool are not waiting for inhumane periods of time for such transfers?

The numbers of people experiencing mental health issues are increasing at Heathrow IRC. It is important that external mental health beds in the community are made available to detained people who present with a severe mental condition, that cannot be managed within Heathrow IRC.

People with severe mental health problems should not be detained in the CSU for extended periods of time. Detained individuals with severe mental health issues should be treated in a mental health setting external to the Heathrow Detention Centre. The Home Office should reduce the use of CSU for those who do not wish to share a room with another …

The Board is very concerned about the deterioration in the mental health of many detained people and too many detained people are resorting to self-harm. It is imperative that appropriate support, care, and mental health services are promptly provided to individuals grappling with mental health vulnerabilities.

More work is required to consider different ways of dealing with those who have mental health problems. There should be an increase in external mental health beds for people in detention who display increased or increasing levels of mental health problems. A clear mental health pathway should be made available to those with mental health difficulties, the detention centre is …

The Board consider Rules 40 and 42 are being misused. There were several instances in 2023 where Rule 40 and 42 have been used for prolonged situations. It is imperative that Rules 40 and 42 are used for the shortest possible time and as a means of last resort. It should not be used to hold mentally ill detained people …

The Home Office has a duty of care for those with mental health problems and to ensure that they are safe in the community they are released into. Robust support is required for detained people with mental health people who are released on bail.

The population of the Segregation Unit continues to highlight the high number of prisoners with serious mental health needs. What steps are being made to improve mental health support and treatments, including timely move-on to more appropriate prisons and secure mental health hospitals?

There seems to be some limitations in communication between HMP Bronzefield and the prison (for example, with regards to transferred prisoners with significant mental health conditions and with missing property and medication issues). Is this because HMP Bronzefield is a private prison, and systems and processes may not be compatible?

Will the Minister speak to colleagues in the Department for Health and Social Care to improve prisoners’ timely access to specialist mental health facilities in the community, where required?

Will the Minister review prisoners serving indefinite sentences under IPP (imprisonment for public protection) sentences?

What further action will be taken to speed up the release and resettlement in the community of the prisoners serving IPP sentences, many of whom have spent far longer in custody than recommended in their indicative tariffs?

What progress has been made to ensure prisoners in need of secure mental health facilities are transferred in a reasonable timeframe?

Does the Prison Service agree with the Board’s recommendation that extra, targeted training would be appropriate for staff in segregation on how to deal with severe mental health problems, and if so, what steps will it take to make this happen?

Create a wider range of secure custody settings to meet the needs of: neurodiverse prisoners, those with severe mental illness, some of whom may be suffering from age-related dementia, and those with marked intellectual disability. Prisoners with extreme needs divert disproportionate amounts of staff time and effort from the majority of prisoners. At best, this approach simply manages a bad …

The Minister should ensure the Probation Service in the community is structured and resourced to be able to provide the specialist help and support that IPP prisoners will need as they return to life after a long period in prison.

Too many vulnerable and very mentally unwell prisoners have been sent to prison due to a lack of suitable services in the community. What progress has been made to increase the number of secure mental health placements in the region and improve timely access?

What is being done to ensure that the 28-day limit for transfer of prisoners to a mental health hospital is enforceable?