Member

Amendments 97 and 98, tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Stevens of Birmingham, would create an exceptional circumstance to the 28-day time limit where the delay is due to a bed shortage caused by patients waiting longer than 28 days to be remitted to prison. Creating an exceptional circumstance solely for patients awaiting return to prison could risk the remissions process being rushed unnecessarily, causing perverse outcomes. There is also limited evidence to suggest that remissions are causing bed blockages. Where there are complex remissions that exceed the best practice time limit of 14 days, we are developing guidance to ensure that prison staff can meet the needs of people in their care. I therefore urge the noble Lord not to move these amendments.