Prison Estate Safety 2026-02-03
2026-02-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Drug abuse in open prisons is a persistent issue, with more than 40% of prisoners failing drug tests on arrival. The situation has been exacerbated by insufficient resourcing and layout differences.
We know that drugs on the prison estate is a perennial problem when it comes to the safety of officers and other prisoners. In some places, we have more than 40% of prisoners failing drug tests on arrival in the open estate. Will the Secretary of State consider a policy that says, “If you fail a drug test on arrival, you will be sent straight back to the closed prison you came from”?
We are looking right across the estate at what more we can do to reduce drug use. We have invested particularly in X-ray machines and extra prison officers to try to bear down on the problem. I spoke to prison officers about it when I visited Frankland prison last week, and I am looking closely at how the lowest categories of prisons deal with drugs.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific policy request was not addressed directly.
Looking Across The Estate
Investing In X-Ray Machines
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Government is working on changes to make it easier for victims of crime, especially women who have experienced sexual violence, to receive swift justice. There are concerns about whether the prison system has sufficient capacity.
When we make these changes and make it easier for victims to get justice, how will the Government ensure that there is capacity in our prisons to take these criminals?
We must have capacity in our prisons to deal with the crisis that we inherited, which is why we introduced the Victims and Courts Bill and the Sentencing Act 2026. This legislation will enable us to bear down on the waiting list that is ticking upwards for victims of crime—especially women—who are often at the end of crime that makes them most vulnerable.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The use of drones to bring contraband into prisons has increased by 43% last year, causing alarm in constituencies with prison facilities. The Justice Secretary announced a £6.5 million funding stream but no tenders are currently out.
Can the Justice Secretary tell us what is the current counter-drone strategy for HM Prison and Probation Service, given the current delays in the installation of physical unmanned aircraft systems countermeasures, what specific projects are actually in flight to develop the counter-UAS capability across our prison estate, and by when that capability will be available?
This is a very serious issue, which is why I announced the partnership with our Ukrainian colleagues. I also announced £6 million of funding for that research innovation as part of the package. We are working closely on this matter to enhance security measures.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline and project details were not provided.
Serious Issue
Partnership With Ukraine
Response accuracy