Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Criminal Justice System: Covid-19

Tuesday 22 September 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have provided 76 million to support victims of modern slavery, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.
  • Young people in prisons have faced extended periods in their cells, up to 22 hours a day.
  • The Government are addressing the issue of conditions for young people in the prison system.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mick Whitley
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from the broader context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors, specifically focusing on its effects on the criminal justice system.

Question

What assessment has been made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on service users and victims in the criminal justice system?

Answer from Alex Chalk

The Government are determined that victims should receive the help and support they need to cope and recover during the pandemic. In addition to existing funding, the Government have provided £76 million to support victims of modern slavery, domestic abuse and sexual violence, as well as vulnerable children and young people. We have set up the victims and witnesses silver command, which consists of the Victims' Commissioner, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and others, to identify needs fast and deliver support to the frontline.

Answered
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Q2 Mick Whitley
Justice & Courts Education
Context

The question addresses specific issues faced by young prisoners due to strict measures imposed because of the COVID-19 outbreak, including extended periods in cells and halted face-to-face learning.

Question

Even before the pandemic, young people often endured terrible conditions on the prison estate, and things have grown much worse since the pandemic began. Many young people have found themselves locked up in their cells for 22 hours a day and face-to-face learning has ended. Education and training play an essential role in reducing reoffending and improving the wellbeing of prisoners. Will the Ministry of Justice consider introducing virtual rehabilitation and education classes while prisoners remain under tight restrictions due to covid?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I was expecting a question about victims, but the hon. Gentleman rightly raises an important issue about prisons. The answer to the point he raises is: yes, we are doing it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specifics of how and when virtual rehabilitation and education classes will be introduced were not addressed.

How: Changed Subject Entirely

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