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Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Monday, 6 September 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 September 2021. It was answered by Lucy Frazer (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 September 2021 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisoners: Rehabilitation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Report on an unannounced inspection of HMP Oakwood by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, published on 3 September 2021, what steps he is taking to support Prisoner Led Initiatives in prisons in England and Wales.

Answer

Peer led services are increasingly popular across prisons and many of these are supported nationally, such as the Listener Scheme run in partnership with Samaritans to provide peer support. Many more local initiatives offer a range of peer education; support; mentoring and signposting roles. Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) continues to look at peer led initiatives to support consistency and good practice.

HMPPS is trialling peer led initiatives as part of a joint project with Penal Reform Solutions to look at peer led activities in a challenged prison environment, and closely record their progress and effectiveness. Lessons learned from this trial will be shared with HMPPS colleagues by December alongside development of tools and learning products to support and strengthen initiatives across the estate.

Drug Strategy leads have recently been introduced at HMPs Durham, Berwyn, New Hall and Guys Marsh. Part of their focus will be to develop a range of peer led initiatives to promote recovery, health and wellbeing outcomes.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
43470
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Prisoners Rehabilitation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk