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Question
The shadow expresses concern about the credibility of the Government's announcement, citing a history of unfulfilled promises on prison reforms. She questions why it has taken so long to address drug use in prisons, noting that similar security measures have been announced without implementation before.
Minister reply
Victoria Atkins emphasises the importance of purposeful activity and preventing drugs from entering prisons, addressing longstanding issues like drug use with new initiatives such as airport-style security. She reiterates commitment to making progress on these fronts.
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Question
The MP questions the government's track record on prisons, highlighting failures to deliver promised improvements like airport-style security. She also raises issues such as understaffing, high turnover rates, dilapidated prison conditions, lack of meaningful activities for prisoners, and rising reoffending rates.
Minister reply
The Minister corrects some points made by the MP, emphasising that 74 body scanners have been installed with positive results. She acknowledges issues like outdated infrastructure but highlights plans to upgrade safety standards in existing cells and build new prisons incorporating modern technologies. The Minister also addresses staff recruitment challenges by mentioning incentives for harder-to-recruit sites, noting a net increase of over 4,000 staff since October 2016.
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Question
The MP welcomes the statement's focus on rehabilitation and preventing reoffending. He inquires about the proportion of increased funding allocated to rehabilitative measures.
Minister reply
The Minister affirms that rehabilitation is critical, noting its cost-saving potential along with human benefits. She states that £550 million will be spent over three years to support prison leavers' transition back into society and reduce reoffending rates.
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Question
The MP queries about the impact of incarceration on pregnant women in prison, citing research indicating higher risks for stillbirths. She asks if judges should avoid sentencing non-violent offenders to prison when they are pregnant or with young children.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the research and expresses support for efforts to decrease imprisonment rates for women through measures like residential centres and community solutions, aiming to maintain judicial independence while providing alternatives.
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Question
Congratulates the Minister on bringing forward the White Paper, urging her to visit HMP Parc for its autism unit and inquire about how resettlement passports and community accommodation service will reduce reoffending.
Minister reply
Acknowledges Buckland's work on neurodiverse prisoners, confirms consideration of inspectorate findings, emphasises continuity of treatment beyond prison walls.
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Question
Highlights the cost of reoffending at £18 billion and emphasises the need to prioritise resources for women's centres based on their success in reducing reoffending.
Minister reply
Acknowledges human costs, praises Greater Manchester's approach for female offenders, confirms focus on vulnerable female prisoners.
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Question
Welcomes the Minister’s statement, supports new prison proposal between Croston and Leyland, urges planning authority to consider infrastructure needs.
Minister reply
Grateful for Fletcher's support, acknowledges constituents' contributions, advises on the need to leave planning decisions to Chorley Borough Council.
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Question
Questions why overcrowding is not addressed through sentencing policy, given the forecast of a 20,000 increase in prison population over four years.
Minister reply
Trusts judiciary for sentencing decisions, invests £4 billion in new prisons and reshapes existing accommodation to ensure safety and decency.
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Question
Welcomes the Minister’s statement on digital technology, asks about how league tables will accommodate differences between types of prisons.
Minister reply
Reassures that key performance indicators will be fair and share best practices across different prison types.
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Question
Welcomes aspects but expresses concern over new prison places, especially for women, presses on the role of women's centres and their funding.
Minister reply
Reassures about trauma-informed and responsive facilities, acknowledges importance of women’s centres, confirms plans for a new female residential centre.
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Question
Welcomes the statement on prison education but expresses concern over limited prisoner apprenticeships and training opportunities.
Minister reply
Encourages effective and meaningful prisons, supports idea of increasing skills development for reduced reoffending.
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Question
Asks about the next steps after drug finds in prisons have quadrupled despite a £100 million package.
Minister reply
Praises success of X-ray scanners, highlights ongoing efforts to prevent substances and contraband from entering prisons.
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Question
Congratulates the Minister on securing funding but warns about inflation in prison numbers due to longer sentences.
Minister reply
Encourages consideration of treatment and recovery for prisoners, aiming for abstinence-based treatment.
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Question
Raises concerns over antenatal care after a stillbirth at Bronzefield prison.
Minister reply
Highlights specific support for pregnant women, introduces pregnancy officers and multidisciplinary individual care plans.
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Question
I welcome the prison reform package, particularly the work on numeracy and literacy. Will the Minister ensure that universal screening for dyslexia and other neurodiversities is included? Also, will she ensure that data follows prisoners when they are moved between prisons?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the importance of understanding neurodiversity issues in prisons and commits to reviewing the joint thematic report. She also agrees to improve the tracking of prisoner data as they move between facilities.
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Question
The proposed reforms will impact prison staff significantly. Given that resources have been found for infrastructure and inmates, is it not time to also allocate funds for the welfare of prison officers? Specifically, could pension levels be adjusted?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the vital role of prison staff and commits to meeting with the Prison Officers Association to discuss pension issues. She highlights that prison officers pay less into their pensions compared to other services but agrees to listen to officer concerns.
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Question
HMP Winchester has successfully provided support for prisoners and their families through Spurgeons. With the end of pandemic restrictions, what is the Government’s plan to improve vaccine uptake in prisons?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that learning to live with covid must extend to prisons and confirms ongoing work with NHS local services to roll out vaccines within custody.
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Question
Is the Minister prepared to meet me and the charity Children Heard and Seen to discuss retendering of prisoner, family and significant other support services to ensure they are children-focused?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees to meet with Kerry McCarthy and the charity to discuss retendering processes. She highlights the importance of keeping family ties as part of rehabilitation efforts.
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Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that a key element of prison reform is trusting governors to develop appropriate regimes rather than imposing instructions from headquarters?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees and emphasises the importance of earned autonomy, encouraging best practices to be shared across the prison estate.
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Question
What steps are in place to prevent contraband such as cigarettes, drugs, mobiles and other items which are often used for leverage?
Minister reply
The Minister outlines the £100 million security package that includes X-ray body scanners and enhanced gate-security measures to reduce smuggling of prohibited items into prisons.
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Question
How many foreign national offenders are in our prisons, and will the Minister negotiate compulsory prisoner-transfer agreements to get these people back to their own nations?
Minister reply
The Minister confirms the Government's desire to return foreign national offenders to their countries of origin as quickly as possible but notes that this is not always feasible due to identification issues.
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Question
Will the Minister meet me to discuss Banksy’s generous £10 million offer to purchase Reading jail, a redundant prison building with historical significance?
Minister reply
The Minister regrets that she cannot comment further on the competition process but looks forward to discussing the matter once decisions have been made.
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Question
Will the Government please make up their mind about what they want to do with Camp Hill, a recently shut prison on the Isle of Wight?
Minister reply
The Minister understands Bob Seely’s concerns and agrees to meet him to discuss the matter further.
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Question
With other parts of the Government talking about a brownfield preference, will my hon. Friend lock into the strategy the condition that all new prisons should be built on brownfield land?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges Greg Smith’s concerns and agrees to meet him further to discuss his points regarding the expansion of prison facilities.
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Question
Will she come to visit south Devon to meet Landworks, a local organisation that helps rehabilitated individuals re-enter society?
Minister reply
The Minister expresses delight at the invitation and looks forward to meeting Anthony Mangnall for a cream tea.