We work closely with NHS England to ensure that all prisoners who need it have access to high-quality substance misuse treatment, so they can turn their back on addiction. As part of the ambitious cross-Government Drug Strategy, we are rolling out a range of interventions to support prisoners off drugs and into recovery. This includes increasing the number of Incentivised Substance-Free Living units, where prisoners commit to remaining free of illicit drugs with regular drug testing and incentives. We now have over 60 of these wings across the estate and are aiming to reach up to 100 by March 2025. This will dramatically expand the number of prisoners who have access to these wings.

We also know that keeping prison leavers in treatment is crucial to reducing reoffending and we are working closely with health partners to strengthen continuity of care. The Department for Health and Social Care have invested £532m to increase drug treatment in the community. We are also recruiting over 50 Health and Justice Coordinators nationwide to improve links between prison and community treatment services. This recruitment will strengthen join-up between probation and health partners to improve access to treatment.

We remain committed to the Female Offender Strategy, which provides the framework to deliver better outcomes for female offenders, recognising the distinct needs of this cohort. We are working across MoJ, HMPPS and wider government to provide a gender-specific, trauma-informed service and reduce reoffending. This includes £15m investment until 2025 in community services to deliver wraparound support to women in the criminal justice system, acknowledging the complex array of issues female offenders particularly face.

Effective resettlement of prison leavers is a core part of our efforts to reduce reoffending. This includes making sure women have a home, family links where appropriate, access to healthcare, a job or further education, and/or access to benefits.

Evidence shows that prison leavers without settled accommodation are almost 50% more likely to reoffend compared to those with settled accommodation. That is why we have developed the transitional accommodation service, known as Community Accommodation Service – Tier 3 (CAS3), which provides up to 12 weeks accommodation on release from prison. We are ensuring that a minimum 10% of beds delivered through CAS3 are allocated to women in women-only properties so that they feel safe, especially those with backgrounds of abuse.

To provide continuity of healthcare, we are recruiting Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators nationwide who will liaise between prisons, probation, and local health partners. We are also expanding the availability of secure video calling, so prison leavers can meet community providers before release. In addition, the new National Partnership Agreement on Health and Social Care in England, published in February 2023, sets out a shared priority workplan to deliver safe, decent and effective care, including substance misuse and mental health treatment, that improves health outcomes for people after their release. NHS England’s continued investment in their RECONNECT service also supports prison leavers with mental health and substance misuse needs, as well as other vulnerabilities.

In terms of employment, in every women’s prison we have recruited dedicated Prison Employment Leads (PELs) to match prisoners to jobs on release, rolled out onsite Employment Hubs, recruited ID and Banking administrators, and established Employment Advisory Boards (EABs) which link prisons with industry advisors. Lastly, the New Futures Network, who works with over 400 organisations to source employment opportunities and provide jobs training, have a dedicated broker for the women’s estate.

As part of the ambitious cross-Government Drug Strategy, we are rolling out a range of interventions to support prisoners off drugs and into recovery. This includes expanding the number of Incentivised Substance-Free Living Units where prisoners commit to remaining free of illicit drugs, with regular drug testing and incentives. We now have over 60 of these wings across the estate, and are aiming to reach up to 100 by March 2025. This will dramatically expand the number of prisoners who have access to these wings. Alongside this we are working to evaluate ISFLs to improve our understanding of the impact they are having and the experience of prisoners on these wings.

As part of the cross-government Drugs Strategy, MoJ received up to £120m funding to get more offenders into treatment. We work closely with NHS England to ensure that all those who need drug treatment in prison have access to a full range of high-quality treatment, with a focus on abstinence-based recovery.

To do this we are rolling out up to 18 new Drug Recovery Wings, providing a dedicated space for prisoners to focus on achieving abstinence from illicit drugs and prescribed substitutes such as methadone. We are also opening 100 Incentivised Substance Free Living Wings, recruiting Drug Strategy Leads in all male category C and women's prisons to coordinate a whole system approach to tackling drugs, as well as Health and Justice Coordinators nationwide to ensure continuity of care for prison leavers.

We have also invested £100m in prison security to prevent drugs from entering prison in the first place through our Security Investment Programme, including reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs and mobile phones.

Every drug-related death is a tragedy. Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, 65 offenders supervised by the Probation Service in England and Wales under post-release supervision, died within two weeks of release from prison. Of these, 27 died as a result of a self-inflicted drug overdose (including intentional and unintentional drug overdoses), equivalent to 41.5%. This figure excludes deaths where drugs were a contributing factor, but not the cause of death.

The apparent cause of death is as reported in the probation case management system, and has not been independently verified. The total number of deaths includes those with an unclassified cause of death, referring to those where the cause was unknown at the time of reporting.

As part of our up to £120m investment to tackle drug misuse, we are focusing on improving continuity of care from prison by providing prisoners with the opportunity to engage with community treatment pre-release via video calling, and recruiting Health and Justice Coordinators in every probation region to improve links between prison and local treatment services. Naloxone, a life-saving medication for those who have suffered an opiate overdose, is available in Probation Contact Centres (including Approved Premises) with staff trained to use it in an emergency.

We work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Welsh Government to support access to, and continuity of, care in custody and into the community, in line with the goals of the Adult National Partnership Agreement published on 23 February 2023.

As part of our up to £120m investment in getting more offenders into treatment, we are focused on ensuring dedicated staff are in place to ensure continuity of treatment as soon as someone is released. We are recruiting Health and Justice Coordinators in every probation region to improve links between prison and local treatment services, and Drug Strategy Leads in key prisons to ensure a focus on treatment. We are also rolling out more video calling technology, providing prisoners with the opportunity to engage with community treatment pre-release.

HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:

Restricting the supply of drugs:

• Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.

• Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.

• Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.

• Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.

• A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.

• Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.

Reducing the demand for drugs:

• Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.

• Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.

Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:

• Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.

• Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.

• Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.

• Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.

• Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.

• Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.

• Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.

• Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.

HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:

Restricting the supply of drugs:

• Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.

• Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.

• Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.

• Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.

• A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.

• Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.

Reducing the demand for drugs:

• Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.

• Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.

Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:

• Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.

• Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.

• Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.

• Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.

• Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.

• Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.

• Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.

• Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.

HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:

Restricting the supply of drugs:

• Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.

• Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.

• Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.

• Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.

• A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.

• Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.

Reducing the demand for drugs:

• Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.

• Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.

Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:

• Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.

• Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.

• Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.

• Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.

• Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.

• Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.

• Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.

• Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.

HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:

Restricting the supply of drugs:

• Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.

• Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.

• Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.

• Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.

• A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.

• Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.

Reducing the demand for drugs:

• Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.

• Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.

Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:

• Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.

• Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.

• Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.

• Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.

• Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.

• Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.

• Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.

• Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.

HMPPS is committed to reducing the supply and demand of drugs in prisons, delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system, and reducing the harms drugs cause, including working closely with the privately managed HMP/YOI Parc. The following steps are being taken to help reduce drug use in prisons in Wales:

Restricting the supply of drugs:

• Increasing investments in prison security, including introducing airport-style gate security to identify items such as drugs before they are conveyed into prisons as well as X-ray body scanners to find internally concealed items and x-ray baggage.

• Increasing the number of drug trace detection machines, helping prevent the smuggling of illegal drugs, including through the mail.

• Increasing the number and availability of specialist staff, drugs dogs and security equipment to help identify illicit substances at the first possible opportunity available across all sites.

• Mandatory Drug tests in line with national guidance.

• A Crime in Prisons initiative to support the prosecution of those involved in the trafficking of illicit substances.

• Preventing and pursuing incidents of staff corruption.

Reducing the demand for drugs:

• Increasing opportunity for purposeful activities in prison to reduce boredom and in turn the temptation to engage in illicit substances through education and employment.

• Providing opportunities for prisoners to rehabilitate and resettle positively on release through meaningful employment, appropriate housing, mental health support.

Building recovery and reducing harm from drugs:

• Providing opportunities for individuals to engage in Psychosocial Interventions to reduce substance misuse.

• Providing all suitable individuals with appropriate clinical interventions for substance misuse. In Wales, this includes Buvidal which is a long-acting buprenorphine to treat dependence on opioids.

• Providing Naloxone upon release, alongside associated training, to help prevent accidental overdose incidents.

• Providing harm reduction advice about safer substance use and preventing blood borne viruses.

• Providing individuals in all Welsh prisons with the opportunity to live on an incentivised substance-free living wing designed to support people to lead a substance-free life.

• Exploring options for opening a drug recovery wing in HMP Berwyn to support those misusing opiates to abstain from drugs. Two drug recovery units have already been established at HMP/YOI Parc.

• Providing 24/7 support to prisoners via peer mentors and staff.

• Providing continuity of care through the gate care via collaborative working with agencies such as Dyfodol, NHS and Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous.

We are investing up to £120 million to get offenders off drugs and into recovery.

We are also cracking down on drug supply into prisons, and have installed 75 additional x-ray body scanners resulting in full coverage across the closed adult male estate. As of April 2022, we had recorded approximately 20,000 positive scans, preventing drugs from entering prisons.

Prisoners will have access to high-quality treatment with a focus on abstinence-based recovery to end their addiction. We are rolling out up to 18 new, abstinence-only Drug Recovery Wings, and increasing the number of Incentivised Substance Free Living units where prisoners commit to remaining drug-free to up to 100.

Our landmark Drugs Strategy published in December 2021, is an ambitious cross government 10-year plan to address illegal drug use in both prison and the community.

We are investing a further £120m to keep drugs out of prisons and get offenders off drugs and into recovery, including in HMP Hull. This includes expanding the use of Incentivised Substance-Free Living units where prisoners commit to remain drug-free and undergo regular drug tests, rolling out up to 18 new Drug Recovery Wings which will support those recovering from opiate misuse to become abstinent, and recruiting Health and Justice Coordinators across all probation regions to ensure continuity of care for prison leavers.

Our £100m Security Investment Programme, aimed at reducing crime in prisons, was completed in March 2022. This investment included delivery of 75 additional X-ray body scanners, resulting in full coverage across the closed adult male estate. There are now 97 scanners across 95 prisons, including HMP Hull.