Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 in Prisons

Tuesday 8 December 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

  • Government is working closely with Public Health England to respond to covid-19 outbreaks in prisons.
  • Catherine West suggested introducing a hotline for prison staff to report health and safety breaches.
  • The Minister thanked Catherine West and said they would consider her suggestion regarding the hotline.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The question addresses the measures taken by the government to manage the spread of COVID-19 within prison facilities during the pandemic.

Question

What steps the Government are taking to respond to covid-19 outbreaks in prisons.

Answer from Lucy Frazer

Throughout the pandemic, we have worked really closely with Public Health England to respond to any outbreaks in prison and to keep our staff and those in our custody safe. We are taking a number of measures, which include compartmentalisation—keeping separate the vulnerable, those who are symptomatic and those who are coming into prisons from outside—as well as increased testing and more use of personal protective equipment, including face masks, where it is appropriate.

Answered
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Q2 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The question pertains to the suggestion of introducing a dedicated hotline for prison staff to report health and safety issues, particularly in relation to COVID-19 protocols.

Question

During these tough times of covid, health and safety is more important than ever. Will the Minister consider introducing a hotline for staff so that they can report health and safety breaches, particularly around the covid question but in other regards as well, given that prisons are a difficult place to work?

Answer from Lucy Frazer

I thank the hon. Lady very much for her suggestion. There are a number of hotlines available to staff. We work very closely with the unions on a local level, as well as a national level, but I am very happy to take away her suggestion to see whether it is necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Introducing a new hotline specifically for reporting health and safety breaches

How: There Are A Number Of Hotlines Available To Staff

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