Life Signs for Approved Premises

1. Introduction

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is issued by the UK Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to inform the market of a market engagement for innovative technology solutions to support and modernise justice services across England and Wales. This notice is not a call for competition and does not initiate a formal procurement process.

2. Background and Context

The MoJ is responsible for the courts, prisons, probation, and associated justice services. The Department is actively identifying opportunities to adopt new and emerging technologies that can improve operational efficiency, support frontline delivery, enhance safety and security and provide better outcomes for users and staff.

This work aligns with the MoJ’s wider digital transformation and innovation agenda, focused on improving services, increasing flexibility and making better use of data and automated capability.

His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service intends to engage with the market to explore innovative technology solutions that enhance resident safety and wellbeing within Approved Premises. Current safeguarding measures rely on routine staff checks, which are reactive and dependent on human observation. We seek technology that can provide proactive alerts to staff regarding physiological and behavioural indicators of immediate risk.

Each year, many individuals are released from prison with co-occurring mental health issues, substance dependence, and social vulnerabilities (e.g., homelessness, unemployment).

Evidence shows that the first few weeks following release are the highest-risk period for fatal overdose, particularly among those with opioid dependence.

Approved Premises (AP) residents often represent the most complex cases, including those subject to MAPPA and high-risk supervision, yet continuity of care from custody to community remains inconsistent.