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Prison Safety
23 June 2026
Lead MP
Michelle Welsh
Responding Minister
Jake Richards
Tags
Policing & ResourcesJustice & CourtsNHSEmploymentWomen & EqualitiesMental Health
Word Count: 3736
Other Contributors: 5
At a Glance
Michelle Welsh raised concerns about prison safety in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Welsh urges the Minister to treat these concerns as urgent and improve support for both prisoners and staff. She also asks about plans for protective equipment availability for all officers and steps being taken to address the staffing crisis in prisons, which impacts safety directly.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Since being elected nearly two years ago, Michelle Welsh has received numerous letters and calls from staff, prisoners, and members of the public regarding unsafe conditions at HMP Lowdham Grange in her constituency. She notes repeated reports of self-harm, deaths, and discrimination among prisoners. The rate of self-harm has increased by 50%, with serious incidents requiring hospitalisation doubling. Additionally, there are inadequacies in processes for notifying the prison of a risk to life, often leaving callers on hold or waiting up to 24 hours for a response.
Grahame Morris
Lab
Easington
Supports reducing prison violence through initiatives like key performance indicators to minimize assaults. Mentions his private Member's Bill on prisons violence aimed at minimizing violence against prisoners and staff, advocating for specific targets and incentives.
Describes an incident at HMP Wandsworth where prison officers had to shut doors due to violence. Supports the neurodivergent wing model for better rehabilitation and access to therapists.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon highlighted the mental health crisis in prisons, emphasising that prisoners often have complex emotional needs, addiction issues, and a history of abuse. He stressed the importance of addressing these needs alongside providing physical security measures.
Lee Pitcher
Con
Wansbeck
Suggests that prison safety cannot be separated from mental health, highlighting the risks of self-harm and suicide among inmates. Celebrates the work done by Samaritans and Andy's Man Club in prisons like Moorland, Lindholme, and Hatfield to support mental health.
Shares information about the Chess in Schools and Communities scheme, which aims to teach chess in prisons as a way to improve resilience, patience, and teamwork among inmates.
Government Response
Jake Richards
Government Response
Thanked the hon. Member for Sherwood Forest and her team, confirmed visits to HMP Lowdham Grange, acknowledged ongoing improvements but also significant challenges, highlighted investments in protective equipment, body-worn video cameras, synthetic pepper spray, PAVA spray, Tasers, ligature-resistant cells, steel window grilles, drug-detecting dogs, X-ray body scanners, and individualised case management processes. Mentioned the Sentencing Act 2026 for sustainable prison spaces, investment of £4.7 billion in a new prison-building programme delivering 14,000 places, reduction in assaults by 4.5% and self-harm rate by 8%, continued funding for Samaritans' Listener scheme, and tackling drugs through state-of-the-art technology.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.