Topical Questions 2024-12-10
2024-12-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
The National Audit Office report criticized the previous government's failure to build promised prison places.
Last week, the NAO released a report on the previous Government's record on prison building. They failed to deliver 20,000 prison places by the mid-2020s as promised and left prisons overcrowded. Will you set out your realistic plan for building 14,000 prison places?
I will set out in my 10-year capacity strategy a realistic plan for building the 14,000 prison places that we need, and I will ensure that our prisons are never left at the point of collapse again.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
MP concerned about victims of domestic abuse facing perpetrators breaching protective orders.
I have heard horrific stories of perpetrators breaching civil orders, giving them further opportunity to terrorise or kill women protected by those orders. What action is the Justice Secretary taking to assess and improve the effectiveness of civil orders in safeguarding survivors of domestic abuse?
This Government have launched a pilot of domestic abuse protection orders in various areas, bringing together the strongest possible protections for victims. Breaching such orders will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
London faces an epidemic of mobile phone theft, with over 64,000 phones reported stolen last year.
Last month, a criminal who stole 24 phones per hour was jailed for just two years. Will the Justice Secretary commit to dramatically increasing sentences for career criminals, get them off our streets and slash crime?
The Home Office is meeting with tech companies to discuss how we can break the business model of those criminals. We are addressing the issues with mobile phone theft.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to increasing sentences for career criminals
Meeting With Tech Companies
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Cousin marriages are seen as increasing risk of birth defects and exploitative practices.
The medical evidence is overwhelming that cousin marriage significantly increases the risk of birth defects. Will the Justice Secretary commit to ending this medieval practice in Britain?
The Law Commission has reported on marriage law and the Government are consulting on broader reform of marriage law, which will consider issues raised about cousin marriage.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Commitment to ending cousin marriages
Consulting On Reform
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
▸
Context
HMP Swinfen Hall prison officers are concerned about retention at the start of their careers and moving into more experienced roles.
Can you reassure me about the steps being taken to encourage retention of experienced members of staff in prisons?
The Government accepted the Prison Service pay review body's independent recommendations, delivering a 5% pay increase for prison officers. We monitor exit interview data and use it to help design interventions to improve retention.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
One in four people of working age in the UK has a criminal record, facing barriers with employers despite no longer posing a threat.
What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that the criminal record implications of a sentence do not disproportionately impact an individual?
The issue is always under review, but that is where we are at the moment.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
▸
Context
MP welcomes steps taken with technology for exclusion zones and monitoring alcohol and drugs.
How will the Secretary of State use offender monitoring technology to improve efficiency in managing offenders effectively in the community?
Tagging technology can monitor offenders effectively. We have tags that monitor curfews, exclusion zones, home detention and sobriety with a 97% compliance rate. We are looking at expanding use of technology to improve productivity in the Probation Service.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Albanians, Jamaicans, Iraqis and Somalis are disproportionately likely to be criminals in Britain.
Will the Government publish data on nationality, visa status, and asylum of all offenders in prison? If yes, can we have a timeline; if not, why?
We are using an inherited data collection approach. We are committed to ensuring that foreign national offenders are deported and are on track to deport more this year than last.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Publication of nationality and status data for prisoners
Using Inherited Data Approach
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Constituents with relatives in Parc Prison have raised concerns about safety and facilities. The Victims Minister and the Prisons Minister visited on Thursday.
Like other hon. Members from south Wales, I regularly hear from constituents with relatives in Parc Prison of their concerns about safety, the state of the facilities and the difficulty of getting medication and mental health support. Can the Minister report back on what the management are doing to improve things?
HMP Parc is receiving targeted support and the Minister for Prisons in the other place will provide full evidence about this and other matters to the Welsh Affairs Committee tomorrow.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not report back on specific improvements being made at HMP Parc
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Wetherby houses boys, men, girls, and women together despite Elizabeth Fry's work to separate them. The Women's Rights Network supports Susannah Hancock's review of this issue.
Elizabeth Fry first began her work to create sex-specific prison facilities for women in 1813 with the primary aim of protecting female prisoners from rape. Yet, girls and women continue to be housed with boys and men at Wetherby. Does the Secretary of State agree that Susannah Hancock's review is urgently needed? Can she give any indication of when Susannah will conclude her review?
There are no girls currently in Wetherby. We have not changed and will not be changing the policy we inherited from the previous Government in relation to single-sex spaces; that policy will remain as it has been. The women's justice board will consider issues related to female offenders across the women's estate.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not agree on urgency of Susannah Hancock's review or provide a timeline for its conclusion
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The framework lacks interim support for child victims before accessing their award. Three young constituents who were victims of rape are affected.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's framework has gaps, particularly lacking interim support for victims of crime under 18 before they can access their award. This is profoundly affecting three of my young constituents and their families dealing with the consequences of rape. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can do more for child victims of serious offending?
My hon. Friend raises an important point about the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. The previous Government undertook a review; no response was published when the election was called in May. We are considering support for victims, including child victims, and advising on a new victims' code in the new year to look at this issue.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if the Secretary of State will meet her or provide specific actions taken by her department.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Since the beginning of this year, 17 inmates have died at HMP Parc. It has been under G4S management since opening in 1997.
With 17 inmate deaths this year at HMP Parc, which has been under G4S control since its opening in 1997, what consideration has the Lord Chancellor made of returning the prison to Ministry of Justice control?
HMP Parc is receiving a lot of attention. The Minister for prisons in the other place will be answering questions tomorrow regarding this and other matters.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether HMP Parc should return to MOJ control
Changed Subject
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Two weeks ago, a gang of six men attacked and stole products at Currys in Farnborough Gate, a common crime trend.
Since the beginning of this year, there have been numerous incidents of 'steaming' attacks where gangs destroy and steal from shops. How will the sentencing review contribute to cracking down on such appalling behaviour?
The independent sentencing review will be making recommendations to ensure our sentencing legislation and framework is fit for purpose. It will look at all those issues in the round.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific recommendations on how the sentencing review addresses steaming attacks.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Drug smuggling in prisons is a long-standing issue costing over £100 million under the previous government.
The smuggling of illegal drugs into prisons has been a problem for many years. The last Government spent over £100 million trying to deal with it; what plans do the current Government have?
We are expanding the use of no-fly zones and scanners. Hardened criminals are increasingly moving on to using drones instead, so we need to look at both supply and demand sides.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific figures or detailed plans for tackling drug smuggling.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Court backlog issues across England affect rape victims waiting over a year for trials, with almost 1,800 cases in Nottinghamshire alone.
The current court backlog is an indictment of the previous Government, leaving almost 1,800 cases in Nottinghamshire alone. Victims are waiting over a year to have their case brought to trial. What is the Department doing to prioritise these cases?
We must tackle the Crown court backlog, which we are doing through Nightingale courts and recruiting more judges. We need fundamental reform for justice not delayed.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions to prioritize rape cases specifically.
Hedging Language
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Concern over the use of community sentences and their impact on public confidence.
To boost public confidence in the criminal justice system, can the Minister confirm that the Government will not resort to increased dependency on community sentences, many of which are unserved?
We have brought forward an independent sentencing review to look at the issues of sentencing in the round. The review will also make recommendations on how prisoner rehabilitation can help people turn their lives around and cut reoffending rates.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not confirm or deny increased use of community sentences as asked.
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Incidents in Basingstoke where women were victims of spiking, highlighting gaps in awareness and response.
Victims including Skylar, Laura and Jade have highlighted serious gaps in the awareness of and response to spiking. Will the Minister update on how measures will be implemented to prevent further incidents?
This Government are committed to bringing forward a specific new offence of spiking. We are also modernising existing legislation in this Session so that no other victims suffer these crimes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not provide details on the implementation measures requested.
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Over 2,900 prisoners are still incarcerated under IPP sentences that were abolished over a decade ago.
Will the Justice Secretary commit to expediting plans to re-sentence all prisoners on indefinite IPP sentences?
I am determined to make progress in ensuring that, when safe to do so, more individuals can come out of prison. However, I will not conduct a re-sentencing exercise as it would release everyone immediately and compromise public protection.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not commit to expediting plans but instead explains the approach taken.
Response accuracy
Q19
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Section 127 bans prison officers from taking industrial action and limits trade union rights.
Does the Secretary of State agree that it is time for section 127 to change so that workers' rights are fully restored?
I do not think now is the time to consider that.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not address the question and changes subject by indicating it's not the right time for consideration.
Response accuracy
Q20
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Avon and Somerset police is addressing inappropriate behavior towards women at Bath Christmas market.
What more can the Ministry of Justice do to tackle street harassment?
We are working closely with colleagues in the Home Office to tackle violence against women and girls, including all crimes such as harassment. This Government were elected to halve such violence over a decade.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response discusses general efforts without providing specific actions by the Ministry of Justice.
Response accuracy
Q21
Partial Answer
▸
Context
County lines drug dealing is impacting children across the country.
What options will the sentencing review explore to disrupt criminal networks and protect vulnerable young people?
The sentencing review will look at the sentencing framework, drug crime, and I will ensure my hon. Friend gets a response from the Home Office specifically on county lines.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not provide specific details on what options are being explored.
Response accuracy
Q22
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A prisoner was recently released under the Government's early release scheme and later removed their GPS tag.
What assessment has been made on reoffending rates since the start of the early release scheme?
Anybody who breaches their licence conditions can be recalled immediately to prison. We have not seen higher than normal recall rates under the SDS40 scheme, and projections on prison capacity remain unchanged.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not provide an assessment of reoffending rates specifically.
Response accuracy
Q23
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Justice Committee visited central London county court, which uses paper files for case management.
When will we digitise civil justice to improve efficiency?
The modernisation of courts and the digitisation programme is a priority. We are looking at ways to increase case progress efficiency and improve case management, working closely with judicial colleagues to ensure progress.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The response does not provide a specific timeline for digitising civil justice.
Response accuracy