Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The questioner is concerned about the prevalence of drug use among inmates, which poses a significant challenge for prison management.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce drug dependency in prisons. The Minister should focus on tackling drugs in prison by restricting supply, reducing demand and helping people build recovery from drugs and substance misuse.
Justice colleagues work closely with Health partners on a national partnership agreement for prison healthcare. A national prison drug strategy was published, focusing on restricting supply, reducing demand and helping recovery from drugs and substance misuse.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The Lord Chancellor's Department supports the Prisons (Substance Testing) Bill to tackle illicit substance misuse in prisons.
Will my hon. and learned Friend reaffirm support for the Prisons (Substance Testing) Bill, led by my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham, and give an indication of the timescale according to which we might expect the legislation to appear?
We wholly support the Bill introduced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Chesham and Amersham, scheduled for consideration on Report and Third Reading on 22 January. Should it receive Royal Assent, we will implement provisions at the earliest opportunity.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Minister is aware that adequate support for individuals with substance dependency issues upon their release from prison is crucial to breaking the cycle of reoffending.
As the Minister will be aware, it is equally as important to ensure that there is proper rehabilitation and support on substance dependency when people are released from prison. What can she do to reassure me that the Government are taking this issue seriously and will put in place better arrangements to support substance misusers with dependency issues once they are released from prison?
We are doing several things, including earlier intervention by probation officers before release and rolling out the Reconnect service that links prison healthcare with community healthcare.
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Assessment & feedback
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