Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1302993

	registered interest
	date	16/03/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Wakefield for reporting year 1 May 2019 – 30 April 2020, published in March 2021, what steps he plans to take to respond to the recommendation to ensure expeditious transfers of prisoners who present with serious acute mental health conditions to appropriate mental health accommodation as a matter of extreme urgency.
	tabling member constituency	West Ham
	tabling member printed	Ms Lyn Brown
	uin	169817
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2021 answer text <p>We have a responsibility to ensure those in prison receive appropriate care in the right setting, at the right time. If a prisoner is suffering from a mental disorder to an extent that warrants detention under the Mental Health Act, they should be transferred to hospital. We recognise that currently this takes too long, and we are determined to improve the transfer process, ensure delays are reduced and avoid prison being used inappropriately.</p><p> </p><p>NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) will shortly be publishing revised guidance on the transfer and remission to hospital from prison. The new guidance will promote timely access to appropriate treatment under the Mental Health Act and reduce unnecessary delays to treatment.</p><p> </p><p>In the recently published DHSC and MoJ White Paper on <em>Reforming the Mental Health Act</em>, the government has committed to introduce a new statutory time limit of 28 days for transfers to mental health hospitals, once the NHSE/I guidance has been fully embedded in practice. We will also introduce a new independent role to oversee the transfer process which will further help to reduce unnecessary delays.</p><p> </p><p>The Government's full response to the Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Wakefield will be issued shortly.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 24/03/2021 15:55:32 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	1583 label Biography information for Ms Lyn Brown

872698

	registered interest
	date	27/03/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve conditions for prisoners with mental health problems in prisons in England.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester South
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
	uin	134512
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/04/2018 answer text <p>We continue to work closely with our health partners to support the commissioning and delivery of high quality health services in all prisons, including for prisoners with mental health problems. Prison governors will work with NHS England commissioners to support improvements driven by the new NHS England mental health service specification for prisons.</p><p>My Department has also taken expert advice from clinicians, commissioners and social care experts on the design of new prisons to ensure that we create the right environment for treatment and care.</p> answering member constituency Bracknell answering member printed Dr Phillip Lee question first answered 03/04/2018 14:58:12 answering member 3921 label Biography information for Dr Phillip Lee
	tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1328231

	registered interest
	date	26/05/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what specialist training is given to staff in prisons to handle individuals in custody who are experiencing mental health crises; what the procedure is for assessing the need for use of physical force on those individuals; and whether expert opinions from mental health professionals are sought in dealing with those cases.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham East
	tabling member printed	Janet Daby
	uin	7939
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2021 answer text <p>This government takes the mental health needs of prisoners very seriously and to keep them safe and well, prison officers must have the skills, knowledge and confidence to offer support, alongside healthcare professionals.</p><p>Improved mental health awareness training has been developed as part of Prison Officer Entry Level Training and refresher training for existing staff. We are currently developing an improved modular safety training package. This includes an enhanced mental health training module, building on the introductory module for staff supporting individuals with complex needs. Resources also include a suicide and self-harm learning tool, developed in partnership with Samaritans, and a range of guidance relating to known risk factors.</p><p>Any use of force must be necessary, reasonable and proportionate to the seriousness of the circumstances. A clinical assessment must take place to determine whether the prisoner has capacity. If the prisoner has been assessed as not having capacity, then the Mental Capacity Act 2005 makes provision for the person to be treated and, if necessary, for force or restraint to be used. When considering the options, healthcare/clinical staff will make the decision and liaise closely with prison staff on the level and type of restraint that might be used.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 11/06/2021 13:45:50 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	4698 label Biography information for Janet Daby

928001

	registered interest
	date	20/06/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many transfers of prisoners to hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 there have been in each of the last three years; and what the average time was for such transfers to take place in each of those years.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Wavertree
	tabling member printed	Luciana Berger
	uin	155780
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2018 answer text <p>The total number of prisoners who have been transferred to hospital under sections 47 or 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last three years is set out below:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2015</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2016</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2017</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p>1,010</p></td><td><p>980</p></td><td><p>936</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The data are published annually on the gov.uk website under the Offender Management Statistics.</p><p> </p><p>The average time for such transfers to take place in each of those years has remained the same: 14 days.</p><p> </p><p>The time has been measured from the date at which the Ministry of Justice is provided with a complete application for a transfer warrant - indicating transfer is appropriate - to the actual date of admission to hospital. The Ministry of Justice has a target of 24 hours within which to provide a transfer warrant, once the assessments are complete and the two required medical reports and all other relevant information is received. This target is met in 95% of cases.</p><p> </p><p>This average time information is not published. The measure has been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.</p><p> </p><p>We take the mental health of prisoners extremely seriously, which is why we have increased the support available to vulnerable offenders - especially during the first 24 hours in custody - and invested more in mental health awareness training for prison officers.</p><p> </p><p>But we recognise that more can be done and continue to work in partnership with HMPPS, NHS England and Public Health England to improve mental health services for offenders at all points of the criminal justice system.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 25/06/2018 14:25:31 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	4036 label Biography information for Luciana Berger

1698525

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of people with mental illness held in UK prisons.
	tabling member constituency	North Shropshire
	tabling member printed	Helen Morgan
	uin	20484
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The prevalence of mental health needs in prison is higher than amongst the general population and we are firmly committed to delivering improvements to mental health treatment for vulnerable people in the criminal justice system. An HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report 2022/23 highlighted that, of the surveyed prison population, 82% of female prisoners and 59% of male prisoners reported having a mental health need. The report can be found at: <a href="https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2022-23/" target="_blank">https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2022-23/.</a></p><p>Many people with mental health needs can be well supported in prison, and all prisoners have access to integrated mental health services commissioned by NHS England as per the national <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/service-specification-mental-health-for-prisons-in-england-2.pdf" target="_blank">Service Specification for Integrated Mental Health Service for Prisons in England.</a></p><p>However, with the right treatment and support to tackle the causes of their offending behaviour, many offenders can be managed more effectively in the community, and we are committed to diverting offenders with mental health needs away from prison or out of the criminal justice system altogether, where appropriate.</p><p>Together with NHS England, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Home Office, we are strengthening Liaison &amp; Diversion services, which are present in police custody suites and criminal courts in England. We are also working to increase the use of Mental Health Treatment Requirements as part of community or suspended sentences.</p><p>To reduce inappropriate remands into custody solely on mental health grounds we are piloting a Health and Justice Hub in the Northeast, in partnership with HMCTS and NHS England, to improve the way that courts, health services and prisons work together at a local level to better support defendants with severe mental health needs.</p><p>The nationwide expansion of the HMPPS Bail Information Service, as well as the additional funding recently announced by the Chancellor, will also help to ensure judges have the necessary information to make a timely and informed decision on bailing a vulnerable individual with confidence.</p><p>Taken together, these steps will help reduce the number of people with mental illness in prisons and divert them into the appropriate support to tackle the root causes of their offending.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar grouped question UIN 20485 question first answered 15/04/2024 10:21:05 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	4934 label Biography information for Helen Morgan

1698526

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of mental illness on the size of the prison population.
	tabling member constituency	North Shropshire
	tabling member printed	Helen Morgan
	uin	20485
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The prevalence of mental health needs in prison is higher than amongst the general population and we are firmly committed to delivering improvements to mental health treatment for vulnerable people in the criminal justice system. An HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report 2022/23 highlighted that, of the surveyed prison population, 82% of female prisoners and 59% of male prisoners reported having a mental health need. The report can be found at: <a href="https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2022-23/" target="_blank">https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2022-23/.</a></p><p>Many people with mental health needs can be well supported in prison, and all prisoners have access to integrated mental health services commissioned by NHS England as per the national <a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/service-specification-mental-health-for-prisons-in-england-2.pdf" target="_blank">Service Specification for Integrated Mental Health Service for Prisons in England.</a></p><p>However, with the right treatment and support to tackle the causes of their offending behaviour, many offenders can be managed more effectively in the community, and we are committed to diverting offenders with mental health needs away from prison or out of the criminal justice system altogether, where appropriate.</p><p>Together with NHS England, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Home Office, we are strengthening Liaison &amp; Diversion services, which are present in police custody suites and criminal courts in England. We are also working to increase the use of Mental Health Treatment Requirements as part of community or suspended sentences.</p><p>To reduce inappropriate remands into custody solely on mental health grounds we are piloting a Health and Justice Hub in the Northeast, in partnership with HMCTS and NHS England, to improve the way that courts, health services and prisons work together at a local level to better support defendants with severe mental health needs.</p><p>The nationwide expansion of the HMPPS Bail Information Service, as well as the additional funding recently announced by the Chancellor, will also help to ensure judges have the necessary information to make a timely and informed decision on bailing a vulnerable individual with confidence.</p><p>Taken together, these steps will help reduce the number of people with mental illness in prisons and divert them into the appropriate support to tackle the root causes of their offending.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar grouped question UIN 20484 question first answered 15/04/2024 10:21:05 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	4934 label Biography information for Helen Morgan

1050473

	registered interest
	date	29/01/2019
	answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
	answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prisoners have been diagnosed with a mental illness while in prison in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Coventry South
	tabling member printed	Mr Jim Cunningham
	uin	213942
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2019 answer text <p>The information requested is not collected centrally.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price question first answered 04/02/2019 15:17:03 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	308 label Biography information for Mr Jim Cunningham

786395

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how may prisoners were diagnosed with a mental health condition in each year since 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
	tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
	uin	112086
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2017 answer text <p>The information requested is not collected centrally.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price question first answered 16/11/2017 13:46:12 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson

810697

	registered interest
	date	21/12/2017
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the suitability of the physical environment in prisons constructed in the 19th century for prisoners who are experiencing mental health problems.
	tabling member constituency	Bradford East
	tabling member printed	Imran Hussain
	uin	121042
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/01/2018 answer text <p>The department remains committed to reforming our prisons to make them safe and secure establishments with access to health, including mental health, services to support the rehabilitation of offenders in custody.</p><p> </p><p>Evidence shows that prisoners typically have more complex physical and mental health needs than the general population and we are committed to addressing these. Our prison estate reforms will see us close ageing prisons and deliver high-quality, modern establishments fit for today’s demands. Our prison estate reforms will benefit prisoners with mental health concerns through reconfiguration plans for the estate. Although the department has not undertaken a prison-by-prison assessment of each establishment’s suitability, we have taken expert advice from clinicians, commissioners and social care experts on the design of the new prisons to ensure that we create the right environment for treatment and care.</p><p> </p><p>We continue to work closely with our health partners to ensure that offenders in all prisons are assessed at the appropriate time and can access the treatment and support required for their mental health needs.</p> answering member constituency Bracknell answering member printed Dr Phillip Lee question first answered 11/01/2018 12:14:49 answering member 3921 label Biography information for Dr Phillip Lee
	tabling member	4394 label Biography information for Imran Hussain

786394

	registered interest
	date	07/11/2017
	answering body	Department of Health
	answering dept id	17
	answering dept short name	Health
	answering dept sort name	Health
	hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Illness
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) research and (b) data on incidents of mental health issues in prisons.
	tabling member constituency	Washington and Sunderland West
	tabling member printed	Mrs Sharon Hodgson
	uin	112090
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2017 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Health meets with many people and organisations to discuss a wide variety of topics. Specific details of these conversations are not available.</p><p> </p><p>It is recognised there is a need to improve both research activity and the quality of data on mental health needs of people in prison. Recent reports from both the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and the National Audit Office have highlighted these issues. The last comprehensive survey of mental health needs in prisons was commissioned by the Department in 1997.</p><p> </p><p>The Department, NHS England and Public Health England are working with the National Institute for Health Research to address this deficit, identifying key research priorities. Recently, NHS England has commissioned research on self-inflicted deaths in prisons as this is a priority issue due to high levels of self-harm and suicide recorded in prisons currently.</p><p> </p><p>Further work is currently underway by the Department, Public Health England, NHS England, Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the Ministry of Justice to improve the quality of health data from prisons with a specific focus on mental health data.</p><p> </p><p>NHS England’s new clinical IT system will facilitate improvements in data quality and reporting on all aspects of healthcare in prisons, including mental health. To support this, NHS England is implementing clinical templates across the secure estate including mental health templates, as well as reviewing the current data set. A new and revised quality indicator set will be reported on from April 2018.</p> answering member constituency Thurrock answering member printed Jackie Doyle-Price grouped question UIN 112089 question first answered 16/11/2017 13:29:13 answering member 4065 label Biography information for Dame Jackie Doyle-Price
	tabling member	1521 label Biography information for Mrs Sharon Hodgson