Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) male and (b) female prisoners who have suffered a traumatic brain injury at some point in their life.

The MoJ does not hold information on the number of male and female prisoners who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. NHS England commission health care services in prison and so may capture this information locally as part of their screening process.

On 6^th February 2019, The Disabilities Trust published their ‘Making the Link’ Evaluation Report on their service to support female offenders with acquired brain injury in HMP Drake Hall. The report found that, of the 173 female offenders screened at HMP Drake Hall, 64% reported a history indicative of a brain injury.

In 2017-2018, The Disabilities Trust also ran a Brain Injury Linkworker pilot at six sites in the adult male estate. Findings from this pilot suggest that acquired brain injury is a key issue to be considered within the secure environment. Recent studies that have examined the prevalence of traumatic brain injury in prisons in England and Wales indicate this may affect 46% to 70% of the male population.

It is right that as a society we endeavour to better understand, diagnose and address the symptoms of brain injuries. This is equally true for the Criminal Justice System. We are working closely with NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care to carefully consider the recommendations from both pilots, alongside other emerging evidence, to help determine next steps to better support this cohort of vulnerable offenders.