Ageing prison population

Justice Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 15 Apr 2020 Closed: 29 Apr 2021 Parliament page
This inquiry looked at the impact on the prison system of an ageing prison population. Older prisoners are the fastest growing group in prisons and they have specific needs. We explored what these needs are and how they are catered for by the prison system. We also looked at the … Read more
20 Recommendations
1 Conclusion
1 Report
3 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 5 events
17 Nov
2020
Report published
27 Jul
2020
Report published
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
1 Jul
2020
Correspondence
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Ageing prison population HC 304 27 Jul 2020 21 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
21 results
1 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
A clear definition of the older prisoner is necessary for establishing a more strategic approach...
A clear definition of the older prisoner is necessary for establishing a more strategic approach to the cohort and the ageing prison population. We do not take a view on what that definition should be, but whatever age threshold is … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on the publication of updated prison population projections, which did not address the recommendation regarding the necessity of a clear, evidence-based definition of an older prisoner or the need to keep such definitions under review.
Ministry of Justice
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2 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
At the very least, older prisoners will remain a significant proportion of the prison population.
At the very least, older prisoners will remain a significant proportion of the prison population. It is likely that the size of the cohort will rise further after increases in police numbers and changes to sentencing come into effect. It … Read more
Government Response
The government did not commit to publishing updated projections for the ageing prison population. Instead, it described investments in new prison places designed for older prisoners and committed to providing an update on a long-term estates strategy.
Ministry of Justice
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3 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
It is welcome that the new prison places planned as part of the Government’s expansion...
It is welcome that the new prison places planned as part of the Government’s expansion of the estate will be designed to better accommodate older prisoners and others with disabilities or limited mobility. However, the number of new places delivered … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is considering models for older offenders within an upcoming older offenders strategy and will provide updates upon its publication. However, it defers addressing the specific provision of physical adaptations in existing prisons as part of the long-term prison estate strategy, and does not provide a timeframe for its publication.
Ministry of Justice
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4 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
We are concerned that HMPPS is not consistently fulfilling its duties towards older and disabled...
We are concerned that HMPPS is not consistently fulfilling its duties towards older and disabled prisoners, as required by the Equality Act 2010. These prisoners should not be housed in establishments where the physical design prevents them receiving equitable treatment. … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is considering models for accommodating older offenders as part of an older offenders strategy and will provide an update once this strategy is published.
Ministry of Justice
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5 Recommendation Acknowledged
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
It can be very difficult to accommodate some older individuals on the prison estate.
It can be very difficult to accommodate some older individuals on the prison estate. Steps taken by some prisons to develop specific wings or units for older prisoners are welcome, though the variability of individual needs should be considered. Good … Read more
Government Response
The government references existing guides on best practice for older prisoners and states it is exploring how to embed this practice across the estate as part of the older offenders strategy. However, it does not explicitly commit to designating specific accommodation, developing new adapted accommodation during prison expansion, or exploring bespoke forms of custody.
Ministry of Justice
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6 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
There needs to be greater recognition across the prison estate that some older prisoners will...
There needs to be greater recognition across the prison estate that some older prisoners will be unable to engage with the normal regime. Suitable activities and forums should be available to older prisoners to support their welfare and rehabilitation. We … Read more
Government Response
The government's response mentions NHS England and HMPPS working to support vulnerable patients in healthcare, but it does not address the recommendation for ensuring best practice on older prisoner regimes or designating older prisoner leads in all prisons.
Ministry of Justice
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7 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
We praise prison staff, HMPPS and MoJ officials for their work in responding to the...
We praise prison staff, HMPPS and MoJ officials for their work in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus has brought into sharp relief many of the issues affecting the prison system, including the particular health vulnerabilities of older cohorts. … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is developing proposals on staffing and training models to support older prisoners as part of the upcoming older offenders strategy, with further updates planned upon its publication, rather than directly confirming how HMPPS will continue to ensure ongoing monitoring and appropriate treatment for prisoners with existing health conditions.
Ministry of Justice
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8 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
An ageing prison population will increase pressure on prison healthcare.
An ageing prison population will increase pressure on prison healthcare. To ensure an equivalent standard of care as in the community, it is important that prison healthcare services are appropriately resourced, and staff have awareness of age- related health conditions. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response details the procurement and rollout of telemedicine software and equipment across prisons to ensure access to health services during the pandemic. It does not address the recommendation for designated older prisoner healthcare leads, staff training on age-related issues, or general resourcing for an older prison population.
Ministry of Justice
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9 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
Older prisoners are disproportionately affected by cancellations to external medical appointments, and their health can...
Older prisoners are disproportionately affected by cancellations to external medical appointments, and their health can be seriously impacted by non-attendance. While increasing the number and availability of prison staff to escort prisoners to appointments is important, we also recommend that … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on healthcare providers having targeted conversations with older prisoners about symptoms, but does not address the recommendation to review increasing telemedicine or other innovative ways for prisoners to access medical advice.
Ministry of Justice
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10 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
The prevalence of dementia in prisons is poorly understood and prison staff can lack awareness...
The prevalence of dementia in prisons is poorly understood and prison staff can lack awareness of the condition. All older prisoners should have access to screening services for dementia, and prison officers who work with older prisoners should receive training … Read more
Government Response
The government is considering models for accommodating older offenders as part of an older offenders strategy and will provide a further update once this is published.
Ministry of Justice
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11 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
Continuing to incarcerate prisoners with severe dementia, who may no longer remember or understand why...
Continuing to incarcerate prisoners with severe dementia, who may no longer remember or understand why they are imprisoned, raises practical and ethical 46 Ageing prison population considerations, especially as their condition is very difficult to manage on the prison estate. … Read more
Government Response
The government describes general initiatives to develop social care in custody, including a partnership board and social care training, but does not specifically address reviewing alternative housing arrangements for prisoners with advanced dementia.
Ministry of Justice
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12 Recommendation Acknowledged
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
An ageing prison population will increase demand for social care services in prisons.
An ageing prison population will increase demand for social care services in prisons. While the Care Act 2014 has brought some improvements, standards of provision are highly variable across the estate. A more strategic and coordinated approach is needed to … Read more
Government Response
The government mentions launching peer-to-peer guidance in 2018 and improving its dissemination, and states HMPPS is currently looking at the possibility of procuring a national provider for social care training, but does not provide a comprehensive update on the action plan or future provision plans.
Ministry of Justice
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13 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
Peer support or ‘buddy’ schemes can be an effective way to help meet the care...
Peer support or ‘buddy’ schemes can be an effective way to help meet the care needs of older prisoners. We commend the good work done by some prisons in partnership with third sector organisations to develop such initiatives. Prisons must … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses end-of-life care and early release on compassionate grounds, but does not address the recommendation regarding training and oversight for peer support schemes for older prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
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14 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
The ageing prison population has and will continue to increase the need for end-of- life...
The ageing prison population has and will continue to increase the need for end-of- life and palliative care in prisons. We welcome the publication of the Dying Well in Custody Charter and the good practice at some establishments. But standards … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focused on pre-release planning for older offenders under a new resettlement model, which did not address the recommendation to ensure properly resourced palliative care in prisons or to review care outside prison for terminally ill prisoners and the effectiveness of compassionate release.
Ministry of Justice
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15 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
Prisoners applying for early release on compassionate grounds should have their applications processed in an...
Prisoners applying for early release on compassionate grounds should have their applications processed in an efficient and timely manner. This is especially important for terminally ill prisoners near the end of their lives. We recommend prisons identify a single member … Read more
Government Response
The government's response discusses various accommodation services for offenders upon release, including Approved Premises and Langley House Trust, but it does not address the recommendation to designate a single staff member responsible for progressing compassionate release applications.
Ministry of Justice
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16 Recommendation Accepted in Part
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
Older prisoners can experience greater levels of institutionalisation and be less able to live independently...
Older prisoners can experience greater levels of institutionalisation and be less able to live independently following their release compared to younger cohorts. Many will require additional support to prepare them to re-join society. Release programmes and guidance that are age … Read more
Government Response
The government describes NHS England's RECONNECT service, funded with £20 million, which supports vulnerable prison leavers to engage with community health services. This partially addresses the recommendation for support, but doesn't explicitly cover broader age-relevant guidance on technology, accommodation, or benefits.
Ministry of Justice
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17 Recommendation Not Addressed
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
There is a shortage of suitable accommodation for older prisoners following their release, which can...
There is a shortage of suitable accommodation for older prisoners following their release, which can undermine their rehabilitation and prevent them from successfully re-integrating into society. We are particularly concerned about reports of older individuals being released to no-fixed abode. … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on ensuring prisoners are pre-registered with a GP in their release area to facilitate healthcare continuity. It does not address the recommendation for suitable provision of age-appropriate post-release accommodation for older prisoners.
Ministry of Justice
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18 Recommendation Deferred
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
Prisons, local authorities, and health and care providers do not always work together effectively to...
Prisons, local authorities, and health and care providers do not always work together effectively to ensure continuity of older prisoners’ health and social care. This can have a detrimental impact on an individual’s health and their efforts to re-integrate into … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the need for a national strategy for older offenders to ensure consistent treatment and effective resettlement, stating they have commenced work on this strategy and will update the committee upon its publication.
Ministry of Justice
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19 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
We are concerned about reports of older prisoners being released without prescription medication or without...
We are concerned about reports of older prisoners being released without prescription medication or without being registered with a GP. We recommend all older prisoners are supported to register with a GP prior to release; where a prisoner is unable … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation regarding GP registration, stating that work is underway to pre-register older prisoners with GPs in their release area, with formal registration completed on release day.
Ministry of Justice
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20 Conclusion Acknowledged
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
We disagree with the argument that older prisoners’ needs are too wide-ranging to generalise.
We disagree with the argument that older prisoners’ needs are too wide-ranging to generalise. Though it is important to treat each prisoner as an individual, there is a commonality among older prisoners which warrants a specific approach to their management. … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the broader issue of older prisoners by stating it is considering models for accommodating them as part of an older offenders strategy, with further updates planned upon its publication.
Ministry of Justice
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21 Recommendation Accepted
5th Report - Ageing prison populat…
An ageing prison population creates specific pressures on the prison system.
An ageing prison population creates specific pressures on the prison system. Currently, the response to these and the treatment of older prisoners is highly inconsistent across the prison estate. Though the Model for Operational Delivery: Older Prisoners contains useful operational … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees to produce a national strategy for older offenders, confirming that work has commenced with strategic priorities aligned to the committee's recommendations, including suitable environments, purposeful regimes, health and care access, and effective resettlement. An update will be provided upon publication.
Ministry of Justice
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Government Response AI assessment · 21 of 20 classified
Accepted 2
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 3
Deferred 5
Not Addressed 10
Total 20 recs + 1 conclusion
Correspondence 3 letters
2 Jul 2020 Ageing prison population inquiry written evidence from Prisons & Probation Ombudsman
Parliament page
2 Jul 2020 Ageing prison population written evidence from Ministry of Justice, Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England, NHS England and Improvement
Parliament page
1 Jul 2020 To committee Letter from Sue McAllister CB, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, dated 12 June 2020, regarding Ageing Prison Population
Parliament page