The Justice Select Committee is launching a call for written evidence for its new inquiry into older prisoners Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine is a member of the committee, which is chaired by Sir Alan Beith MP, and for the purposes of the inquiry, the Committee proposes to define as those older prisoners as aged 60 and over.
Specifically, the Committee will seek to explore:
1) Whether responsibilities for the mental and physical health and social care of older prisoners are clearly defined.
2) The effectiveness with which the particular needs of older prisoners including health and social care, are met; and examples of good practice.
3) What environment and prison regime is most appropriate for older prisoners and what barriers there are to achieving this.
4) The effectiveness of training given to prison staff to deal with the particular needs of older prisoners, including mental illness and palliative care.
5) The role of the voluntary and community sector and private sector in the provision of care for older people in leaving prison.
6) The effectiveness of arrangements for resettlement of older prisoners.
7) Whether the treatment of older prisoners complies with equality and human rights legislation.
8) Whether a national strategy for the treatment of older prisoners should be established; and if so what it should contain.
Steve Brine said: "This is an inquiry I was especially keen the committee undertake when we discussed ideas for the 2013 programme. Our prison system has to ask itself some pretty fundamental questions in the next few years, encouraged by but not exclusively because of the financial crisis, and the subject of locking up very elderly people who could be dementing or suffering any other litany of health issues.
"It's not about letting people off but it is about what's appropriate for the prison estate and its huge challenge to reduce re-offending rates. The inquiry will be fascinating, I look forward to hearing a wide range of evidence."
The deadline for submissions is Friday 8 March 2013.
More information...
Guidance on the submission of evidence can be found here and can be sent by email to justicecommemo@parliament.uk.