The work of Langley House Trust has been featured in the 2019 Parliamentary Review. The prestigious publication has focused on outstanding work in the care sector.

The Parliamentary Review examines best practice each year. The 2019 edition highlights the growing need for health and social care in society, including the need for care for people leaving prison.

Writing in the Parliamentary Review, Sam Graham, Head of Communications, said:

Care homes that are equipped to manage both the risks and needs that elderly offenders present are in short supply. While community fears are understandable [about setting up new care projects for offenders] there needs to be sensible debate and discussion to help communities to overcome them. Without this, it will be virtually impossible to develop any new offender care provision, despite a clear and growing need.

People over 60 remain the fastest growing prison population. Six out of 10 older prisoners report having a long-standing illness or disability (compared to just over a quarter of younger prisoners.) Victorian prisons are by and large often unsuitable for elderly prisoners. They do not easily provide the level of support or dignity required to humanely incarcerate an older prison population.

When older prisoners prepare to leave prison, the challenges can be great. Many traditional care homes are not set-up to manage a person’s risk if they have a criminal record. Often, they are unaware of the boundaries and support that is needed to successfully manage a person’s risk and care needs so that they successfully reintegrate into society. Some prisoners with care needs find themselves ‘stuck’ in prison after they have completed their sentence because there is nowhere for them to go.

The Parliamentary Review publication will be launched later this year at a special parliamentary event. It features a foreword from Professor Ted Baker, Chief Inspector of Hospitals (Care Quality Commission) and opening messages from Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett.