Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prison Capacity

Tuesday 10 September 2024 · 8 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Today around 1,700 offenders have been released early due to changing automatic release points from 50% to 40%.
  • The Government will publish a 10-year capacity strategy before the end of the year.
  • Foreign national offenders will continue to be deported.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Ranger Lab Wrexham
Justice & Courts
Context

The previous government's failure left the prison system on the brink of collapse.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to increase prison capacity. The legacy of the previous Government was a prison system on the brink of collapse, which left us with no choice. Today around 1,700 offenders have had to be released early due to changing automatic release points from 50% to 40%. This was necessary but is not a long-term solution.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Today, around 1,700 offenders have had to be released early due to changing automatic release points from 50% to 40%. This was necessary but is not a long-term solution. We will publish a 10-year capacity strategy before the end of the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to increase prison capacity were not detailed, only a commitment to review and publish a plan later.

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Q2 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Justice & Courts Mental Health
Context

Reducing prisoner numbers through rehabilitation could reduce reoffending.

Question

One way to reduce pressure on prison capacity is by treating offenders with drug and alcohol addictions outside the prison estate, which reduces prisoner numbers and reoffending. May I encourage the Secretary of State to get hold of Dame Carol Black's internal review of treatment and recovery?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Good quality work on rehabilitation is critical. 80% of offending is reoffending, which is too high. The first step is to address capacity issues in prisons that are more than 99% full. Once we have done so, we will build on recommendations made by experts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to getting and using the specific review or making concrete plans based on it.

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Q3 Andrew Ranger Lab Wrexham
Justice & Courts Housing
Context

Release of prisoners under SDS40 needs proper planning including housing provision.

Question

What steps is she taking to ensure that those released today will have accommodation on release, including in Wrexham?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We are working with the Ministry of Housing to understand housing impacts. Probation staff are preparing release plans and providing temporary accommodation if at risk of homelessness. We expect existing provision will suffice, but probation directors can use alternative arrangements including budget hotels as a measure.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Priti Patel Con Witham
Justice & Courts
Context

During debates on early prisoner release, concerns were raised about a potential 5,500 prison place reduction.

Question

Will the Government cut back prison places by 5,500 over the medium and long term?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

There are live discussions as part of the Budget and spending review process. We have committed to delivering a shortfall of 14,000 places in our prison system but will report further updates on this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny plans to cut back prison places by 5,500.

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Q5 Richard Tice Reform Boston and Skegness
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

There are concerns about foreign criminals blocking up space in our jails.

Question

Why, when some 10,000 foreign criminals are blocking up space in our jails, they are not being removed and deported?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Foreign national offenders will continue to be deported. The current situation is part of a larger picture inherited from the previous Government, but nothing will change regarding deportation.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q6 Edward Argar Con Melton and Syston
Justice & Courts
Context

Questions about eligibility under the early release scheme for specific offences.

Question

How many people will be eligible to be released at 40% of their sentence, including those sentenced under section 20 and 47 of the Offences against the Person Act?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

Exclusions have been made for serious offences with sentences of four years or more. Specific mix of offences per offender cannot be given, but serious violence and sexual offences are excluded from this policy.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q7 Edward Argar Con Melton and Syston
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about the statutory instrument that excludes certain offenses from eligibility for early release under a new prison policy, with fears that it may not adequately cover specific domestic abuse cases.

Question

I have the statutory instrument and list of exclusions here, but those offences are not included. My fear is that many convicted domestic abusers who received fewer than five years might be eligible for early release, undermining the Government's claim that they will not benefit from the scheme. This would be deeply disappointing to victims and the public.

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

With respect to the shadow Lord Chancellor, what will ring hollow is the Tory party's commitment to excluding domestic abuse from the scheme, especially considering their previous actions. We have taken every step available to exclude offences related to domestic abuse and are giving the probation service time to prepare, unlike the previous government.

Not addressed: The questioner's concern about specific exclusions for domestic abusers was not directly addressed, instead focusing on political critique of the opposition party.

How: Shifting Blame Onto The Opposition, Criticizing Previous Government Actions

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Q8 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Justice & Courts
Context

The question stems from concerns about prison overcrowding due to court backlog issues, leading the government to implement new policies for early prisoner release. The Lord Chancellor previously stated these measures would be reviewed within 18 months.

Question

It is clear that prisons are at breaking point due to the courts backlog and mismanagement. Given previous statements about reviewing measures in March 2026, will the Secretary of State confirm no dangerous criminals will be released early?

Answer from Shabana Mahmood

We have taken every measure to exclude serious violence, sexual offences, and domestic abuse from the scheme. We will continue to work closely with partners in the criminal justice system to ensure a safe roll-out of the policy and keep matters under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific confirmation requested was not provided; instead, general measures were outlined without committing to no dangerous criminals being released early.

How: Acknowledging Efforts But Avoiding Specific Commitment

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