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1279786

registered interest
date	25/01/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners: Females
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the briefing by Women in Prison, A national plan for tackling coronavirus in prisons, published on 21 January, what plans they have (1) to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on female prisoners, and (2) to improve the rehabilitation of women who have been in prison.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL12505
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2021 answer text <p>We have taken quick and decisive action, backed by Public Health England and Wales, to limit the spread of the virus across all prison establishments, including the women’s estate. This has included restricting regimes, minimising inter-prison transfers and compartmentalising prisons into different units to isolate the sick, shield the vulnerable and quarantine new arrivals. A comprehensive regular testing regime of both staff and prisoners is in place and is key in helping to prevent the spread of the virus. Our evidence gathering indicates these measures have had a positive impact on limiting deaths and the transmission of the virus in prisons. We are now working closely with the NHS to support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible groups in custody.</p><p> </p><p>A women’s self-harm taskforce has been set up to coordinate and drive forward work aimed at reducing levels of self-harm in the women’s estate, which includes the introduction of wellbeing checks for women during COVID-19 restrictions.</p><p> </p><p>A range of other measures have also been put in place across the women’s estate to reduce the impact of COVID-19, including:</p><ul><li>every prisoner has received £5 free PIN phone credit per week, which has been doubled recently for those women who need it, in order that they can keep in touch with their support networks on the outside;</li><li>video visits continue to be available to women, and again recently their availability in the women’s estate was increased;</li><li>production of materials intended to support wellbeing, including a range of in-cell distraction activities, such as work books, puzzle books and information about relaxation techniques.</li><li>creation of a Wellbeing Plan with input from mental health charity Mind, and prison resident focus groups. This is a resident-owned self-help tool that can be used by residents to reflect on their triggers and coping strategies, as well as actions they could take to improve their mood and look after themselves at difficult times.</li><li>the Covid Special Purpose Licence Temporary Release (SPL ROTL) scheme for women who are pregnant and those who are in Mother &amp; Baby Units, with the most recent release during January.</li><li>prison officers entering the service have been given an additional week’s training focused on female-specific issues to provide new officers with better understanding of the distinct needs of women prisoners. As women are a minority in the prison population, tailored training for officers working with this group will ensure they can be more responsive to their needs.</li></ul><p> </p><p>Through the Gate (TTG) providers continue to work to an Exceptional Delivery Model and offer remote phone support to all prisoners in their last 12 weeks of sentence. This includes signposting to relevant Third Sector providers in the community and other Government departments (e.g. completing the Duty to Refer under the Homelessness Reduction Act to Local Authorities and referring to local HPTs if they are without accommodation). TTG staff, community Offender Managers, HPTs and released women have written information about services they can access before, during and after release. Staff can make referrals to third sector services, such as women’s centres, as appropriate and women can self-refer if they wish.</p><p> </p><p>To support its COVID-19 response, HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) has set up seven Homelessness Prevention Taskforces (HPT) to help find accommodation for offenders upon release. These have been very successful in securing improved accommodation outcomes. We are exploring how the regional HPTs might be a feature of the future landscape, ensuring that the specific needs of women are fully considered.</p><p> </p><p>HMPPS has developed a national Accommodation Framework setting out how to work together with partners to ensure that offenders can access and maintain settled accommodation that is safe and appropriate for their needs. This framework contains specific aims in terms of women’s access to post release accommodation, including the provision of more places in Approved Premises (Aps) and more appropriate accommodation through the Bail Accommodation and Support Services (BASS) that are currently run by NACRO.</p><p> </p><p>There are seven APs for women who have high risk complex needs covering England and Wales. We are working to the expand the geographical coverage of the provision and having opened a new women’s AP in London during 2020 we expect to open a further one in the South West during 2021.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 08/02/2021 16:28:25 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1275440

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Dartmoor Prison: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any prisoners in HMP Dartmoor who have tested positive for COVID-19 are confined to cells for 24-hours per day without access to showers; if so, (1) how many prisoners are being so confined, (2) how long they expect that confinement to continue, and (3) what assessment they have made of the impact of any such confinement on the mental health of prisoners.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11990
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>HMP Dartmoor is delivering essential elements of prison regime even during the current restrictions. In each 24-hour period, prisoners are allowed phone calls (mobile phones when required for isolators), time in the open air, showers, meals and medication distribution. Even for those who are Covid-19 positive and in isolation, showers are facilitated in prisoner groups. Regime is additionally supplemented through access to gymnasium, keywork sessions and wellbeing checks, chaplaincy services, visits, video calls and other localised activities. Between 30 November 2020 and 11 January 2021, prisoners at HMP Dartmoor averaged 1.3 hours out of cell per day.</p><p>These measures are in line with the requirements of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of 4 January, all prisons changed their regimes because of the growing rate of infection within the community. All adult prisons are currently in a stage four regime as outlined in the National Framework to reduce contact between people and therefore reduce the chance of transmission. All prisons are required to deliver the essential elements of prison regime as outlined above. We have also introduced a range of measures and products designed to manage prisoners with specific needs, including mental health needs. The National Framework also provides a roadmap for easing restrictions in prisons when it becomes appropriate, guided by public health advice, alongside an operational assessment of what can be achieved in custodial settings while keeping staff and those in our care safe.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL11992 question first answered 25/01/2021 17:53:46 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1275441

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners' Transfers: Coronavirus
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate that transfers between prisons will resume, in particular transfers from closed to open prison conditions.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11991
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>In March 2020 temporary restrictions were put in place to minimise movements between jails. As at 12th January 2021 inter-prison transfers (including transfers from closed to open prisons) have not been stopped entirely as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and we continue safely to undertake inter-prison transfers, where required. Transfers between prisons, particularly progressive transfers to open and resettlement prisons, are necessary in order to ensure that space remains within local/reception prisons to accept new receptions from court and to ensure prisoners are held in prisons providing an appropriate level of security.</p><p>In order to control the transmission of the virus, prisoners who are transferred to another prison are quarantined upon arrival in order to manage any risks they might bring and protect the rest of a prison’s population. As of 14th January 2021, we are also testing all new arrivals and transfers twice in the first 6 days in 109 prisons across the estate. We continue to explore testing technologies and opportunities in this area. Any prisoners with positive results or symptomatic prisoners are not transferred. This approach ensures that any infection that occurs amongst the arriving cohort is limited only to those with whom they have arrived.</p><p>Whilst transfers into the majority of prisons have not ceased, specific prisons may have temporarily to pause their transfers in/out in the event of a declared outbreak. The timeframes associated with this pause, as well as the recovery measures required, are monitored nationally by HMPPS and taken in close consultation with Public Health England.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar question first answered 25/01/2021 15:12:52 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1275442

registered interest
date	11/01/2021
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Coronavirus and Education
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisons, other than HMP Dartmoor, have used 24-hour lock-ups to address the transmission of COVID-19; and what measures are in place, or planned, to improve access to education and training throughout the prison estate.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11992
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/01/2021 answer text <p>HMP Dartmoor is delivering essential elements of prison regime even during the current restrictions. In each 24-hour period, prisoners are allowed phone calls (mobile phones when required for isolators), time in the open air, showers, meals and medication distribution. Even for those who are Covid-19 positive and in isolation, showers are facilitated in prisoner groups. Regime is additionally supplemented through access to gymnasium, keywork sessions and wellbeing checks, chaplaincy services, visits, video calls and other localised activities. Between 30 November 2020 and 11 January 2021, prisoners at HMP Dartmoor averaged 1.3 hours out of cell per day.</p><p>These measures are in line with the requirements of the National Framework for Prison Regimes and Services. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of 4 January, all prisons changed their regimes because of the growing rate of infection within the community. All adult prisons are currently in a stage four regime as outlined in the National Framework to reduce contact between people and therefore reduce the chance of transmission. All prisons are required to deliver the essential elements of prison regime as outlined above. We have also introduced a range of measures and products designed to manage prisoners with specific needs, including mental health needs. The National Framework also provides a roadmap for easing restrictions in prisons when it becomes appropriate, guided by public health advice, alongside an operational assessment of what can be achieved in custodial settings while keeping staff and those in our care safe.</p> answering member printed Lord Wolfson of Tredegar grouped question UIN HL11990 question first answered 25/01/2021 17:53:46 answering member 4901 label Biography information for Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1259932

registered interest
date	09/12/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Julian Assange
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with (1) HMP Belmarsh, and (2) healthcare providers, about the provision of care for Julian Assange; and what assessment they have made of the case for reviewing his care.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL11299
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/12/2020 answer text <p>The MoJ does not hold any information in relation to the provisions of health care to Mr Julian Assange. This is because NHS England and the Welsh Government have primary responsibility for the commissioning of healthcare services in public prisons. The commitment to working with health and justice partners is set out in the National Partnership Agreement for Prison Healthcare in England, which was published in April 2018. Prisoners do, however, receive the same healthcare and treatment as anyone outside of the prison. NHS practitioners use their professional judgement to ensure that a high level of care and confidentiality is provided to prisoners that is equal to that care given to patients in the wider community. HMPPS is committed through the National Partnership Agreement to safeguarding the public health of those in prison.</p><p>Responsibility for Mr Assange's healthcare rests with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust. Healthcare providers work in close partnership with Prison Staff to deliver the best care possible to all Prisoners. Due to patient confidentiality, it would not be appropriate to comment on the care of individual Prisoners.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 22/12/2020 16:41:47 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253369

registered interest
date	18/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Visits
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect family visits to prisoners in England and Wales to resume; and whether they intend to give priority to the most vulnerable (1) prisoners, and (2) families.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL10476
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>Following the reintroduction of national lockdown measures on 5 November, we have paused face-to-face social visits in prisons in England. There are exemptions for compassionate reasons, including visits to children in custody. Family visits in Wales are permitted, although in some establishments with active outbreaks they have been temporarily suspended on public health grounds. We will reintroduce face-to-face social visits as soon as safe to do so, guided by public health advice alongside an operational assessment of what can safely be implemented.</p><p>Prioritisation of visits is done locally, but we have instructed governors to consider the needs of vulnerable prisoners in their implementation plans.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:42:40 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253370

registered interest
date	18/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners' Release
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to extend the Early Conditional Temporary Release Scheme; and when they intend to make a decision on that matter.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL10477
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>In April we introduced the End of Custody Temporary Release (ECTR) scheme. It allowed for the early release of stringently assessed low-risk prisoners who were within two months of their release date. It freed up space across the estate so that all prisons could effectively control the spread of the virus by quarantining new arrivals, isolating those with symptoms and shielding vulnerable offenders. This was based on advice from Public Health England and was necessary to protect life and avoid thousands of prisoners becoming infected, overwhelming local NHS services.</p><p>The ECTR scheme was paused in August, as it was no longer a necessary part of our overall response. Throughout the pandemic our response has been based on public health advice, and this decision will be kept under constant review over the coming weeks and months.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 17:44:53 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253372

registered interest
date	18/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners' Release: Social Security Benefits
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to enable prisoners to submit claims for (1) Universal Credit, and (2) other benefits, as early as possible prior to their release.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL10478
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>We have been working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to improve access to financial support for prisoners and prison leavers. As part of the Government’s Covid-19 response, DWP established a bespoke telephony service to enable those released from prison to make a claim for Universal Credit. All prisoners receive information about the telephone line as part of the Discharge Pack that is issued to them as they leave prison. This service remains in place to assist prison leavers to make benefit claims quickly on release.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:42:56 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253373

registered interest
date	18/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners: Mental Health
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what actions they are taking to reduce mental ill health among prisoners by providing facilities for (1) exercise, (2) education, and (3) work; and how those facilities have been affected by COVID-19 precautions.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL10479
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>The Covid-19 pandemic and the necessary regime restrictions introduced in response to it have brought new and different challenges across the estate. Maintaining safety and the mental health and wellbeing of prisoners has remained a priority throughout. A range of products have been made available to support Governors in devising and implementing local safety and welfare plans designed to mitigate any risks. Governors are required to agree a health delivery plan which includes how mental health support will be delivered during COVID-19.</p><p>We have tailored guidance for supporting specific groups of people in prison whose wellbeing may be more impacted by the Covid-19 measures put in place, including older prison residents, those with learning difficulties and groups known to be at increased risk of self-harm, suicide, or violence.</p><p>We have piloted improvements to Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT), which is the multidisciplinary case management approach used in prisons when someone is thought to be at risk of self-harm or suicide. Following a pause, due to the implementation of Covid-19 measures, we are currently planning the resumption of the roll-out of revised ACCT across the prison estate.</p><p>In addition, video health conferencing has been rolled out across the estate to support the delivery of mental health services by enabling contact with community and hospital services. Governors are also considering how mental health services can support people with the potential increased anxiety or other mental illnesses related to Covid-19, as well as ‘lockdown’ experiences and restrictions.</p><p>A range of internal initiatives have been developed, including the development of weekly national wellbeing content through HMPPS Psychology Services and prison radio content focussed on wellbeing. We have also been working with education providers to support prisons in the adult estate. This has allowed us to enable learning to continue via in cell activity, distraction material and learning packs. Within the Youth Secure Estate the delivery of education remains a particular priority as we seek to mirror the position taken for vulnerable children in the community, where it is possible to do so.It is our desire to continue to provide ‘face to face’ classroom-based education, notwithstanding local variations and the impact of potential outbreaks amongst staff or children.</p><p>In relation to exercise, since the beginning of the pandemic prisons have been authorised to use external exercise yards for access to the open air and to deliver external physical education. All sites have also set out how they will provide prisoners with time out of cell, and the safe equivalent of association time.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:43:32 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton

1253375

registered interest
date	18/11/2020
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisoners on Remand
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisoners in England and Wales are on remand awaiting trial; and what steps they are taking to reduce that number.
tabling member printed	Lord Hylton
uin	HL10480
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/12/2020 answer text <p>As at 30 September 2020, there were 8,444 prisoners in England &amp; Wales held on remand awaiting trial. This information is included in Table 1.1 of prison population statistics which can be found at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930646/Population_30Sep2020.ods" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/930646/Population_30Sep2020.ods</a></p><p>The decision to remand someone is a matter for the independent judiciary. Defendants can be remanded where there is a risk they may abscond or commit offences if released on bail.</p> answering member printed Baroness Scott of Bybrook question first answered 02/12/2020 13:44:52 answering member 4553 label Biography information for Baroness Scott of Bybrook
tabling member	2018 label Biography information for Lord Hylton