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
12 Recommendations
9 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
17 Nov
2020
Report published
27 Jul
2020
Report published
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
2 Jul
2020
Correspondence
1 Jul
2020
Correspondence
12 May
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
21 Apr
2020
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Virtual meeting
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Ageing prison population HC 304 27 Jul 2020 21 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
21 results
1 Conclusion
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
• Each year we publish projections of the prison population as National Statistics reflecting the latest statistics and insight available at the time. Due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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2 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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3 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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4 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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5 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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6 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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7 Conclusion
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
• We are developing proposals on the models of staffing and training required to support older prisoners as part of the older offenders strategy, and will update further once the … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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8 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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9 Conclusion
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
• Healthcare providers who are working with vulnerable older prisoner populations will be having targeted conversations with these patient groups to ensure they know what to look out for in … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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10 Conclusion
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
• We are considering models for accommodating older offenders as part of the older offenders strategy, and we will update further once this is published.
Ministry of Justice
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11 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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12 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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13 Conclusion
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
End-of-life and palliative care • HMPPS work with NHS England to identity men and women in our care who are at or near the end of their life, to ensure … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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14 Conclusion
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
• Under the new resettlement model, pre-release planning with a service user will now include face to face interaction with a National Probation Service responsible community offender manager. These offender … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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15 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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16 Conclusion
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
• We welcome NHS England’s commitment to develop their care after custody service, RECONNECT, to engage and support more people after custody. The NHS Long Term Plan, published in 2019, … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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17 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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18 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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19 Recommendation
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
Ministry of Justice
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20 Conclusion
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
• We are considering models for accommodating older offenders as part of the older offenders strategy, and we will update further once this is published.
Ministry of Justice
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21 Conclusion
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
We agree that now is the time to produce a national strategy for older offenders, to ensure the prison system is best-placed to meet the needs of these offenders, and … Read more
Ministry of Justice
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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