Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Overcrowding

Tuesday 27 June 2023 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister regularly meets the Lord Chief Justice to discuss justice system issues, including prison overcrowding.
  • Minister agrees to meet Barry Sheerman and the Justice Committee Chair to discuss prison issues and joint enterprise.
  • Lord Chancellor welcomes Dame Sue Carr's appointment and discusses the growth in the remand population, suggesting technology like electronically monitored tags as a solution.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Barry Sheerman Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about prison overcrowding and plans to meet with the Lord Chief Justice.

Question

I am concerned about the issue of prison overcrowding. Whether he plans to meet the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales to discuss this matter?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I regularly meet the senior judiciary, including the Lord Chief Justice, to discuss priority issues across the justice system. We are delivering 20,000 additional modern prison places, with 5,200 already delivered at HMP Fosse Way.

Answered
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Q2 Barry Sheerman Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP notes low morale among prison staff and seeks a meeting to discuss the issues surrounding young people imprisoned under joint enterprise.

Question

There is great unhappiness in the prison estate with low morale among prison staff. Will he meet me and perhaps even the Chair of the Justice Committee to talk about how we can help the 1,000 young people in prison under joint enterprise? This would address prison overcrowding and bring justice.

Answer from Alex Chalk

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and will be happy to meet him to discuss that. I have delivered body-worn video cameras for prison officers, which is important for de-escalating volatile situations. Joint enterprise is a sensitive issue but I am open to discussing it with the hon. Gentleman.

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Q3 Bob Neill Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP welcomes the appointment of Dame Sue Carr as Lord Chief Justice and raises concerns about the growing remand population in prisons.

Question

I welcome the appointment of Dame Sue Carr, who will be the first woman to hold this position. Does the Lord Chancellor agree that one area of concern is the growth in the remand population? In January, a report on remand was produced by the Justice Committee with some recommendations accepted and others not. Will he revisit these recommendations?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I join my hon. Friend in welcoming Dame Sue Carr, whose appointment has been widely welcomed. Regarding remand, there are 4,500 to 5,000 more people in custody compared to the pre-pandemic period. Technology like electronically monitored tags can help decide if bail is appropriate.

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Q4 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the prison capacity crisis due to the closure of prison places and reduction in community sentences over the past decade.

Question

Over 3,000 prison places have closed and community sentences have halved. The Government's record shows a prison capacity crisis with police cells being commandeered and judges told to jail fewer people. How can the public trust that they will be protected?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I am grateful to the hon. Lady. The second biggest programme after High Speed 2 is in prison building, including new prisons like Five Wells and Fosse Way. Investing in our prison estate helps individuals get back on track.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Public trust in protection given the Government's poor record

How: I Am Grateful To The Hon. Lady

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