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Health: Prisoners

Asked by Ben GoldsboroughLabourDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 27 February 2025UIN 31320

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide safety and health screenings for new arrivals to the secure estate.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

Every prisoner, whether they are new into prison or have been transferred between establishments, undergoes a health screen upon arrival. This is in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance and covers immediate health problems, which includes identifying mental health or substance misuse issues, and is followed by a referral onto the appropriate health team within the prison estate, if necessary.

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