To ask the Minister of Justice for her assessment of services for at-risk or vulnerable prisoners.

The care of vulnerable people is of paramount importance and is taken very seriously across the Justice system. This is particularly important in the context of the work of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, as we seek to care for and support a significant number of people with complex and challenging health needs who find themselves in custody.

We do this in collaboration with our healthcare partners in the SET who are responsible for the provision of healthcare services to prisoners in Northern Ireland.

I welcome the recent publication of the RQIA Review of Vulnerable People report which provides an independent assessment of the support provided to people in custody in Northern Ireland. The report recognises the work that has been progressed since the report has been commissioned including the introduction of SPAR Evolution, the creation of wellbeing hubs and therapeutic spaces across the prison estate and the commitment to being trauma-informed. However, more importantly, it clearly articulates the challenges NIPS staff and our healthcare partners face.

The report makes a number of recommendations; my Department is committed to taking forward the recommendations specifically addressed to Justice and will work in partnership with Healthcare colleagues to facilitate delivery of others. I believe these recommendations, if implemented, will result in considerable improvements to people in our care.