To ask His Majesty's Government how next of kin are kept informed about the (1) physical, and (2) mental, health of prisoners.
Answered on
15 March 2023
Ensuring the health and well-being of those in its care is a key priority of His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS). Prisons are required to ensure that arrangements are in place for an appropriate member of staff to engage with the next of kin, or a nominated person, of prisoners who are seriously ill.
Families who have concerns about a prisoner’s health or well-being are encouraged to contact the prison via the establishment’s safer custody hotline. A separate number is also provided in cases of emergency.
During 2023-24, HMPPS is providing a grant to the Prison Advice and Care Trust to work with prisons across England and Wales to improve their communication with prisoners’ families on issues relating to the safety and wellbeing of prisoners. This will include introducing more consistent processes for recording, responding to and acting on concerns raised by family members.