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
5 results
3
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 38
It is welcome that the new prison places planned as part of the Government’s expansion...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Para 39
We are concerned that HMPPS is not consistently fulfilling its duties towards older and disabled...
Recommendation
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. …
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Government Response Summary
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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7
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 62
We praise prison staff, HMPPS and MoJ officials for their work in responding to the...
Recommendation
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. …
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Government Response Summary
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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10
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 76
The prevalence of dementia in prisons is poorly understood and prison staff can lack awareness...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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18
Recommendation
Deferred
Para 111
Prisons, local authorities, and health and care providers do not always work together effectively to...
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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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