Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Places for Women

Wednesday 26 May 2021 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial discussions focus on investing in modern, gender-specific and trauma-informed prison design for women.
  • Investment in women's centres in the community is ongoing to prevent reoffending and maintain family relationships.
  • Separation of mothers from children due to minor offences is acknowledged as detrimental to the child's wellbeing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The question stems from discussions on plans to increase the number of prison places for women, focusing on the potential impact on female prisoners' conditions and capacity.

Question

What recent discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Justice on plans to increase the number of prison places for women?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Investing in the women's custodial estate will improve conditions for female prisoners through modern, gender-specific and trauma-informed design. It will further ensure capacity is in place to give effect to sentences imposed by the independent courts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice about increasing prison places for women

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Q2 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question addresses concerns about mothers being imprisoned for minor offences, highlighting the detrimental effects on children's wellbeing. It questions why the Government is proposing £150 million for new female prison places despite their own pledge to reduce the number of women in prison.

Question

When mothers are imprisoned for minor offences, the separation and loss for the child are detrimental to their wellbeing. The charity Women in Prison tells us that the most effective way to tackle the causes of crime and to prevent women from reoffending is to invest in women's centres. Given that the Government's own female offender strategy pledges to reduce the number of women in prison, why are they proposing to invest £150 million on new female prison places, and what representation has the Minister made to recommit to reducing the number of women in prison?

Answer from Alex Chalk

It is important that we continue to invest in women's centres in the community, and that is exactly what we are doing. For the very reason that the hon. Lady makes about keeping relationships with the family, part of the money that she refers to will go to providing accommodation so that individuals can make family visits to those women sentenced to custody, to keep those relationships going. Prisons need to be a place of security, but they must also be a place of humanity, rehabilitation and hope, and that is what we are investing in.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation for the £150 million investment in new female prison places despite reducing incarceration rates pledge

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