Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether HMP Eastwood Park plan to close, or have closed, their programme for women prisoners aged 50 and over.

The number of older prisoners has risen significantly over the past 20 years, and we recognise that this can pose particular challenges for some prisons.

The Model of Operational Delivery for older prisoners published by His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, sets out how prisons should support all older prisoners, including older women and older prisoners on short sentences.

We have accepted in principle the vast majority of the Independent Sentencing Review’s recommendations and we will work with partners and the sector as we develop our approach.

The contract for HMP/YOI Eastwood Park’s current programme for prisoners aged 50 and over, is due to end. To replace it, HMP Eastwood Park plans to put out a tender for similar services, but covering the entire population, rather than only those over 50.