A review of health and social care in women’s prisons:

Findings now available from the largest ever engagement with women in English prisons

Last month saw the publication of findings from the largest ever engagement with women in English prisons on their health and social care needs.

Delivered under the banner of the National Women’s Prisons Health and Social Care Review, this two-year project was set up in 2021 to improve health and social care outcomes for all women in prison in England and upon their release.  

HMPPS and NHS England have led this work, together with adult social care, as well as the support of women with lived experience. From the start of the Review through to writing the report, their involvement has been central to every stage.  

Over 2,250 responses were received from women who shared their views and experiences, speaking up for what needs changing in relation to health and social care in prison and what is working well. Equally important, views were shared by clinicians and practitioners, commissioners and providers of services, policy leads, the voluntary sector and academics. 

These views have been listened to and informed eight recommendations, which have been agreed and accepted by HMPPS and NHS England.  

Work will now progress over the next three years to deliver on these eight recommendations, with a key focus on:

• Improving the prescribing and management of medicines, including communication with women; 
• Providing specialist care, support and treatment for women that meet their unique needs, including for example pregnancy and menopause; 
• Improving access to services, such as talking therapies, for women who’ve experienced trauma. 

This work has national commitment from HMPPS and NHS England and will be locally driven to reflect women’s needs. A main focus will be making sure women can get high quality health and social care in whichever prison they are in.

Jenny Talbot, who was the independent chair of the multi-agency Women’s Review Board and will continue to be involved in the delivery of the recommendations, said:

“We have learnt a lot from this Review, especially from women with lived experience of prison. For example, women spoke about the importance of dealing with the entirety of their personal health and wellbeing needs at the different stages of their time in prison – including arrival into prison and preparation for release. They told us about the need to address what lies behind trauma, as well as the ‘coping mechanisms’ of substance misuse and self-harm, and mothers spoke of their loneliness and distress at being separated from their children.  

“What women told us fed directly into our eight recommendations. The next step is to deliver on those recommendations. It won’t be easy and will take time, but there is good practice we can build on and a commitment from the top to make it happen. On behalf of everyone involved in the Review, thank you for speaking up and for sharing your experiences and ideas. There will be further opportunities to be involved and to hold us to account; do please stay in touch.”

As this work is progressed, women with lived experience will continue to be involved at national and local levels, ensuring the views of women in prison are represented and regular feedback on progress is provided.  

Further information will be available soon in prisons via local healthcare forum representatives.

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Key areas of focus from the strategic recommendations

1. Providing specialist care, support and treatment for women that meets their unique needs, including for example pregnancy and menopause; 

2. Improving access to services, such as talking therapies, for women who’ve experienced trauma; 

3. Improving the availability of emotional and practical support to women upon reception and during their early days in custody; recognising the specific support needs of women who are pregnant, separated from their children and moving from the children and young people secure estate;

4. Recognising the diversity of women in prison and ensuring the appropriate care and support is in place, such as for women who are neurodiverse and where English is not their first language;

5. Improving the prescribing and management of medicines, including communication with women; 

6. Improving access to substance misuse services;

7. Continuing to improve pregnancy and perinatal care and providing social care support, including for women who have been separated from their children;

8 . Working with women to help prepare them for release, ensuring the care they receive in prison continues back in the community, whether this is from health, social care or probation services. 

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