Prisoners: Education
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether HMPPS record the completion of Building Better Choices or equivalent offending-behaviour programmes against the records of people serving IPP sentences.
Answered by Ministry of Justice
Building Choices is an accredited cognitive-behavioural programme informed by the latest evidence and thinking about what works to reduce reoffending. It is accredited for delivery to adult men and women in prison and community settings, and is inclusive and open to those with learning disabilities and challenges (LDC). Building Choices provides a person-centred, needs-led approach which enables participants to explore both offence-specific and wider antisocial behaviours to target the versatility of their offending. Rollout has completed across custody and community, beginning with a small set of Design Test sites in December 2023 and full rollout ending in October 2025.
His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) does not hold a centrally collated record of offenders serving Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences who have completed the Building Choices programme. Completion of an accredited programme is recorded on the individual sentence plan. HMPPS is currently working with its Digital Services to develop systems which can report centrally in the future.
On 1 September, the Lord Chancellor announced that the Government will bring an end to the IPP sentence for those who continue to serve it and will bring forward legislation to do this by the end of this Parliament.
The Government also remains determined to support the rehabilitation of IPP prisoners, through the IPP Action Plan, which we published on 9 July 2026.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →