Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Reoffending

Tuesday 9 January 2024 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Stephen Hammond asked about making subsistence payments available to prisoners upon release to aid rehabilitation.
  • The Minister noted the limitations of incentivised substance-free living wings compared to recovery wings and is observing their operation.
  • Dan Carden echoed the importance of rehabilitation through employment and stable accommodation, suggesting subsistence payments upon release.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Hammond Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Between 2010-11 and 2020-21, the proven reoffending rate decreased from 31.6% to 24.4%. Initiatives include investment in employment, accommodation, and substance misuse treatment.

Question

What steps are being taken to reduce reoffending? I am concerned about rehabilitation through employment and stable accommodation. The key is purposeful activity but can we make subsistence payments available to prisoners on release?

Answer from Edward Argar

My hon. Friend makes an interesting suggestion and I am happy to meet him to discuss further his ideas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to any specific action or timeline regarding subsistence payments.

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Q2 Stephen Hammond Con
Justice & Courts
Context

There are currently only seven planned recovery wings across the prison estate, which offer a greater chance of rehabilitation by getting people into recovery while they are incarcerated.

Question

The hon. Gentleman acknowledges incentivised substance-free living wings but notes their limitations compared to recovery wings. Will the Minister examine expanding recovery wings across the whole prison estate?

Answer from Edward Argar

The hon. Gentleman's comments are noted, and while I am watching how the seven recovery wings operate with an open mind, no specific commitment or timeline is provided for wider expansion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No concrete plan was given for expanding recovery wings.

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Q3 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Justice & Courts
Context

The Minister has previously mentioned initiatives to reduce reoffending through employment and stable accommodation.

Question

My right hon. Friend is correct about the importance of rehabilitation through employment and stable accommodation. Can we make subsistence payments available upon a prisoner's release?

Answer from Edward Argar

My hon. Friend makes an interesting suggestion, and I am happy to meet him if that would be helpful to discuss further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to any specific action or timeline regarding subsistence payments.

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