Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Lockdown in Prisons

Tuesday 3 November 2020 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • In March, the Department faced a Public Health England worst-case scenario of 2,500 to 3,500 deaths in prisons and took decisive action.
  • During the last wave, 1,200 handsets and 5 extra phone credit were made available, and video calling was rolled out.
  • A national framework is being rolled out in many prisons with measures like increased social visits and offender management.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rosie Cooper Lab
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The question arises from the need to understand how prison management has evolved during the pandemic, especially after initial strict national restrictions.

Question

What lessons his Department has learned from the implementation and effect of the covid-19 lockdown in prisons. In March, we faced 2,500 to 3,500 deaths according to Public Health England's worst-case scenario, and decisive action was taken. As the pandemic continues, a more localised approach is now being developed, allowing governors to operate regimes proportionate to their local risk.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons)

In March, we faced 2,500 to 3,500 deaths in our prisons according to Public Health England's worst-case scenario, and we took decisive action. As the pandemic continues, a more localised approach is now being developed allowing governors to operate regimes proportionate to their local risk. Throughout the pandemic, the importance of prisoners' wellbeing and mental health has been recognised and responded accordingly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific lessons learned are not clearly articulated beyond general statements about actions taken.

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Q2 Rosie Cooper Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The question stems from concerns over ongoing restrictions in prisons that may harm mental health, prompting a request for continued support measures.

Question

Given the likelihood of extreme restrictions continuing throughout winter, will the Minister guarantee additional phone credit for prisoners and free video calls for families for the duration of the pandemic? During the last wave, 1200 handsets were made available with £5 extra phone credit, and video calling was rolled out.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons)

We did make available 1,200 handsets and £5 extra phone credit, and we rolled out video calling. We will continue to consider whether these measures are appropriate in the next phase.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No guarantee is given for continued provision of additional phone credit and free video call access during the pandemic.

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Q3 Lyn Brown Lab
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over thousands of people being released from prison with limited job prospects, financial resources, and disrupted rehabilitation processes.

Question

When will we have an action plan to support prisoners released with no job, money or second chance, after spending months in cells for 23 hours a day? Many face increased risk of reoffending. An existing national framework is being rolled out in many prisons with measures like increased social visits and offender management.

Answer from Lucy Frazer (The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prisons)

We already have a national framework being rolled out in many prisons with increased social visits, offender management measures. We are reassessing the position following further national restrictions and will have an action plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact timeline for when the full action plan will be implemented is not specified.

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