Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Release: Employment

Tuesday 12 September 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department continues to develop opportunities for work and training for offenders both during custody and upon release.
  • The Department for Work and Pensions offers the Jobcentre Plus railcard to assist ex-prisoners in relocating for job opportunities.
  • The Minister acknowledged the high rates of self-harm in Wormwood Scrubs prison, noting particular issues in the women's estate.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sheryll Murray Con
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The question concerns the steps being taken to assist individuals leaving prison in finding employment.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help offenders find employment following release from prison. There are concerns about the ability of ex-prisoners to secure stable employment post-release, which can impact their reintegration and reduce recidivism rates.

Answer from Damian Hinds

We continue to develop opportunities for work and training, both during custody and on release. The proportion of prison leavers employed six months after release has increased markedly over the past two years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details about initiatives or policies implemented by the Department to support employment for former prisoners.

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Q2 Sheryll Murray Con
Justice & Courts NHS Employment
Context

The question addresses how the Department can assist in facilitating the mobility of individuals leaving prison to access employment opportunities.

Question

What help can the Department give to aid the mobility of this potential workforce and get them to where they need to be? The focus is on whether there are any specific measures or aids provided by the Department for Work and Pensions to assist ex-prisoners in relocating for job opportunities.

Answer from Damian Hinds

My hon. Friend raises an important point. Going to where the job opportunities are is incredibly important; I would mention to her opportunities such as the Jobcentre Plus railcard through the Department for Work and Pensions. We also need to make sure that, at the point of release, prisoners are put in touch with opportunities near to where they live—where they are going.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provides information but lacks concrete details on specific measures for mobility assistance beyond mentioning Jobcentre Plus railcards.

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Q3 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

The question pertains to the seven self-inflicted deaths recorded at Wormwood Scrubs prison over three years, with recent findings from an inquest pointing to inadequate care contributing to these incidents.

Question

There have been seven deaths in Wormwood Scrubs prison as a result of self-harm in the past three years. The first of the inquests into those deaths—that of Luke Clarke—was concluded only last month. It found that inadequate care, fear and confusion contributed to Luke's death. What is the Ministry of Justice doing to prevent the unacceptable level of self-inflicted and avoidable deaths in prison and what is it doing to speed up the inquest process? I am still waiting for the meeting into the inquest process that I was promised on 27 June by the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the hon. Member for Finchley and Golders Green (Mike Freer).

Answer from Damian Hinds

We were talking about employment on release, but what the hon. Gentleman raises is incredibly important. I have visited Wormwood Scrubs. Rates of self-harm are unacceptably high. They vary by place. In the women's estate, we have a particular issue with self-harm. We are working closely with the national health service, which provides mental health support in prisons. I am absolutely determined that we bring down levels of self-harm.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific measures or timelines for reducing self-harm deaths and improving inquest processes.

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Q4 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Justice & Courts Education
Context

The question addresses the lack of implementation for a promised prison education service that was outlined in the party's manifesto, with concerns over its delay.

Question

Prison leavers in employment training are less likely to reoffend. That means that education and training for young offenders in prison is crucial. Will the Minister say why the Government have failed so far to implement a new prison education service? It was promised in their party's manifesto in 2019. Implementing it in 2025 is too little, too late.

Answer from Damian Hinds

I join you, Mr Speaker, in welcoming the hon. Lady to her place and similarly look forward to working with her. I can bring her good news. First, there is an education service operating in every prison, with four contracted providers. We also have additional provision that governors can put in place, but for the new service that she mentions—it was indeed a manifesto commitment—the process is well under way. I look forward to being able to make further announcements before long.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide concrete commitments or timelines regarding the implementation of the promised education service beyond stating it is 'well under way'.

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