Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of inequality of access to drug and alcohol services for offenders across the UK; and what steps they are taking to address any such inequalities.

The Revolving Doors Agency, with support from Public Health England (PHE) and the Home Office, published Rebalancing Act in January 2017. The report addresses inequalities among offenders, including inequalities in accessing drug and alcohol services to help improve public safety, prevent offending and reoffending and reduce crime. It found that people in contact with the criminal justice system experience barriers to accessing services, because of complex health and social care needs, challenging personal and social circumstances and poorly designed services. A copy of the report is attached.

PHE takes steps to address any inequalities that offenders experience in accessing drug and alcohol services. This includes producing guidance to support local authorities and NHS England and NHS Improvement in commissioning services for people in contact with the criminal justice system.