Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the level of consistency in access to naloxone for residents with an opioid dependency within Approved Premises throughout England and Wales.

Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects and overdose of opioids, such as heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine and buprenorphine and can be administered by health care professionals and appropriately trained staff. Medical professionals have been using naloxone in emergencies for many years and HM Prison and Probation Service ensures staff are aware of its appropriate use wherever necessary.

The assessment and suitability of naloxone is a matter for the local drug agency. Approved Premises (AP) residents are permitted to use naloxone when prescribed to them by substance misuse services. In some prisons it is issued at the point of release to known opioid substance misusers, again by substance misuse services. Emergency Service responders arriving at an AP will also administer naloxone if considered appropriate. The National Probation Service (NPS) is currently reviewing implementation of the administration of naloxone by AP staff.

HMPPS Wales are exploring with the Welsh Government and other devolved services the procurement of naloxone and the opportunities to train staff in Approved Premises in the nasal administration of naloxone. This is following Prison and Probation Ombudsman recommendations regarding the life saving benefits afforded by naloxone.

The Government takes the mental health and wellbeing of offenders very seriously and we recognise that anxieties during the Covid-19 pandemic may exacerbate mental health needs and increase the risk of self-harm among offenders. We are continuing to work to mitigate this as far as possible.

Within APs, we have continued our programme of work to support residents and staff to reduce risk of suicide and self- harm, including updated guidance and the identification of high-risk factors relating to quarantine and self-isolation. This approach is integrated into our exceptional delivery model and includes reviewed and updated safety and support planning for residents and updated distraction resource packs in every AP.