Contributions
1,309 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD PrisonsI very much share that concern. It is all very well for people to say that they are in favour of making these removals, but their actions have to follow their words. I am afraid…24 Oct 2023HANSARD PrisonsMy hon. Friend is exactly right about the significant costs involved. It is expensive to keep somebody in custody, at an average of £47,000 a year, and we want to make sure that…24 Oct 2023HANSARD PrisonsMy right hon. Friend is correct that, when someone is deported in this way, they are not allowed to return. Were there time remaining on the sentence, as I outlined, that time…24 Oct 2023HANSARD PrisonsI beg to move, That the draft Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Removal of Prisoners for Deportation) Order 2023, which was laid before this House on 16 October, be approved. Last week…24 Oct 2023HANSARDProbation ServiceI am grateful to the hon. Gentleman who I know takes a very close interest in these matters, and rightly so. I commit to working in partnership with unions and other…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrisons: WakefieldThe most recent annual prison performance ratings for 2022-23 were published in July. His Majesty’s Prison and Young Offender Institution New Hall was rated a 2, which is a matter…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrisons: WakefieldThe hon. Gentleman is right to talk about the inspectorate of prisons reports, which are a very important part of our system and help to hold the Prison Service and us to account.…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrison Release: EmploymentWe were talking about employment on release, but what the hon. Gentleman raises is incredibly important. I have visited Wormwood Scrubs. Rates of self-harm are unacceptably high.…12 Sept 2023HANSARDForeign National OffendersBetween January 2019 and December 2022, we removed 13,851 foreign national offenders from the country. As my hon. Friend rightly suggests, that is all about close working with…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrison EstateWe are building 20,000 modern prison places to help rehabilitate prisoners, cut crime and protect the public, and we continue to invest in prison maintenance, so that existing…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrison EstateWe continue to upgrade the prison estate. As I say, we are investing in 20,000 new places—the biggest expansion in the secure estate since the Victorian era. At the same time, we…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrison EstateOn my hon. Friend’s last point, of course we must constantly be having an intelligent, constructive public debate about these matters. On the question of capacity, projections…12 Sept 2023HANSARDForeign National OffendersAs my hon. Friend mentions, under the Nationality and Borders Act, we expanded the FNO early removal scheme window from nine months to 12 months, allowing for earlier removal. We…12 Sept 2023HANSARDForeign National OffendersAs the hon. Gentleman knows, given the way we are organised, we do not cover the Northern Ireland Prison Service. However, it is very important that we stay in close touch and,…12 Sept 2023HANSARDReading GaolThe sale of Reading Prison is proceeding and, barring any unexpected complications, completion is expected later this autumn.12 Sept 2023HANSARDReading GaolThe sale is progressing. Of course, any proposed development would be subject to approval from Reading Borough Council’s planning department, and the usual due diligence…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrison Staff Vacancies: England and WalesWe have recently seen indications of an improving national staffing picture in prisons, with an increase of 700 full-time equivalent bands 3 to 5 prison officers and youth justice…12 Sept 2023HANSARDPrison Staff Vacancies: England and WalesI am grateful to my hon. Friend, who takes a close interest in these matters, and rightly so, particularly on behalf of his constituents who are prison officers and other staff in…12 Sept 2023HANSARDProbation ServiceAt 30 June just over 20,000 people were working in the probation service—an increase of just over 2,300, or 13%, compared with 30 June the previous year.12 Sept 2023HANSARDProbation ServiceI am grateful to my right hon. Friend and again I express my sincere condolences to the families of Zara Aleena, Terri Harris, Connie Gent and John and Lacey Bennett. We have…12 Sept 2023