Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Capacity

Tuesday 14 May 2024 · 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

  • Government brought on HMP Fosse Way and HMP Five Wells to address prison capacity issues.
  • Prison officers are considered the backbone of the system and efforts are made to recruit and retain them.
  • In 2023, an additional 1,600 prison officers were recruited and the resignation rate decreased from 10.5% to 8.5%.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Justice & Courts
Context

The National Audit Office warned that prisons would run out of space by 2023, and only a quarter of the promised 20,000 places have been delivered.

Question

Why has the Government proved incapable of averting this crisis?

Answer from Alex Chalk

As a result of the record amount of investment in prisons, we brought on HMP Fosse Way, and we have HMP Five Wells. I invite the hon. Member to visit them, because these are excellent, modern prisons with fantastic rehabilitative conditions, providing an excellent opportunity to keep the public secure and prisoners rehabilitated. We will also be rolling out HMP Millsike. We have planning permission for HMP Gartree. We are also rolling out houseblocks at Stocken, Rye Hill and Guys Marsh; and there will be further ones at Gartree.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation of specific steps taken to address the crisis was avoided.

How: Inviting Hon. Member To Visit Prisons, Discussing Future Projects

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Q2 Mary Robinson Con
Justice & Courts
Context

Prison officers are dealing with young and often aggressive people, raising concerns about the current retirement age of 68.

Question

What consideration has my right hon. and learned Friend given to reducing the retirement age in line with policing?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Prison officers are the absolute backbone of the system, and it is absolutely right that we should recruit and retain. I am pleased to say that in 2023 we recruited an additional 1,600 officers and, just as importantly, the resignation rate is coming down, from 10.5% to 8.5%. That is really positive. On my hon. Friend's point about retirement, it is worth knowing that the employee contribution rate to pensions for prison officers is one of the most competitive in the public sector. That is exactly as it should be.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific consideration regarding reducing the retirement age was avoided.

How: Discussing Recruitment And Retention, Highlighting Pension Contribution Rate

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