Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Early Prisoner Release: Domestic Violence

Tuesday 9 June 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps were taken to protect potential victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdown through early prison release.
  • Concerns were raised about a six-month time limit on summary charges potentially affecting domestic abuse victims' ability to seek justice during lockdown.
  • The response acknowledged the importance of addressing summary-only offences and their impact on victims of domestic abuse.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Feryal Clark Lab Birmingham Northfield
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The scheme aims to reduce prison populations during the pandemic, but concerns have been raised about potential victims of domestic violence.

Question

What steps has the Secretary of State taken as part of the early prison release scheme to ensure that potential victims of violence in domestic settings are protected during the covid-19 lockdown period?

Answer from Robert Buckland (Secretary of State for Justice)

Domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime, and I am determined to better protect and support the victims of abuse and their children and to bring perpetrators to justice. Measures announced to tackle covid-19 can cause anxiety for those experiencing or feeling at risk of domestic abuse; therefore, prisoners convicted of offences relating to domestic violence, including harassment and stalking, are excluded from the scheme, as well as anyone identified by prisons, police or other agencies as a domestic abuse risk.

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Q2 Feryal Clark Lab Birmingham Northfield
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns have been raised about a six-month time limit on summary charges, potentially affecting victims of domestic abuse during the pandemic.

Question

There is real concern that a six-month time limit on a summary charge could mean that some domestic abuse victims may lose out on the opportunity to take charge during lockdown. What steps is the Department taking to address those concerns?

Answer from Robert Buckland (Secretary of State for Justice)

The hon. Lady raises an important point about summary-only offences, which although relatively speaking might be not as serious as some other types of charge, have real effects upon the victims of domestic abuse. I am confident from the police activity that arrests and charges continue and that a number of perpetrators are being charged within the six-month time limit.

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