5th Report - Ageing prison population
Select Committee
Justice Committee
HC 304
27 July 2020
Government response
6th Special Report - Ageing prison population: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report · published 17 Nov 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
5
Recommendation
Acknowledged
It can be very difficult to accommodate some older individuals on the prison estate.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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12
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 87
An ageing prison population will increase demand for social care services in prisons.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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20
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 121
We disagree with the argument that older prisoners’ needs are too wide-ranging to generalise.
Conclusion
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. …
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Government Response Summary
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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