Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential mental health benefits of increasing men’s talking groups within prisons.

Provision of these groups is determined locally by Governors, in partnership with NHS providers, which are responsible for statutory mental health services. The Ministry of Justice has not formally evaluated or assessed the effectiveness of such groups to date.

H M Prison & Probation Service takes an evidence-informed approach to interventions, and recognises the contribution that well-structured peer support can play in rehabilitation.