5th Report - Ageing prison population

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.