Prison Maintenance 2024-12-10
2024-12-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over the quality and cost-effectiveness of current private sector contracts for prison maintenance.
What assessment has been made of the potential merits of insourcing all prison maintenance? Under the previous Government, a process was already under way to put in place new contracts for prison maintenance. We need to make sure that those contracts deliver good value for the public purse.
Under the previous Government, a process was already under way to put in place new contracts for prison maintenance. We need to make sure that those contracts deliver good value for the public purse.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific merits of insourcing were not evaluated or addressed directly.
Under Review
Need To Ensure
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A prison maintenance contract is set for retendering to the private sector next year. Issues such as unreported repairs and higher costs are cited.
The prison maintenance contract is set to be retendered to the private sector next year. Prisons like Walton in Liverpool struggle with basic repairs, and there is £1.8 billion of unreported repairs within the system. Privatisation leads to higher costs and increased squalor. Can the Minister or Secretary of State call time on this failed experiment and bring prison maintenance back in-house where it belongs?
The previous Government paused work on essential maintenance, which has added to the problems we are now dealing with. All options need to be looked at to ensure we get the best possible value for money from any new contracts or arrangements.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to reverse privatisation was not given.
All Options Need To Be Looked At
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent press coverage has highlighted the issue of mould growth in prisons, leading to health concerns.
The Minister referred to a new prison maintenance service. Will this service be able to address specific issues like mould growth? If not addressed, it will lead to ill health among prisoners.
Staff at His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service are doing their utmost to tackle issues such as mould growth. The Minister encourages redoubling efforts after the hon. Gentleman's encouragement.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on handling mould was not given.
Doing Their Utmost
Response accuracy