Context
Aquarone references a prison population crisis and highlights the work at HMP Bure in his constituency, focusing on skill development for prisoners to reduce reoffending.
Question
We have a prison population crisis, but rather than building or releasing our way out of it, we have to reduce reoffending. I recently visited HMP Bure in my constituency and saw the excellent work it has been doing internally to support prisoners in learning new skills and equipping them for life after release. Will the Minister assure me that the Government will support and provide funding for such programmes? Will he meet me to hear more about the fantastic work of the staff at HMP Bure?
Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jake Richards)
The Government are committed to tackling reoffending, and that includes investment in services exactly like those that the hon. Member visited. We are building more prison places because we need to. In 14 years the Conservatives added just 500 additional prison places, and in 14 months we have added 2,500. Alongside that, we have to tackle reoffending, and I hope the hon. Member will support the Sentencing Bill later this afternoon, which will do that.
Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurance or funding details for rehabilitative programmes at HMP Bure or mention a meeting with the MP.
How: Redirects Attention To Prison Building And Sentencing Bill
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