Contributions
399 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPrisons: Early ReleaseThe crisis we inherited in the justice system meant that, had we not acted, we would have run out of prison places, on the basis that the previous Government built only 500 prison…09 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Early ReleaseMy noble friend is right that probation is where the heavy lifting in the justice system needs to be done. I would like to let your Lordships’ House know that last week I was in a…09 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Early ReleaseThe review that David Gauke and his panel undertook will form a very important part of the reform of the criminal justice system that we need. We need a sustainable criminal…09 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Early ReleaseAt the moment, the Probation Service is really struggling. It is struggling because of the workload of staff and the lack of integrated technology—staff spend far too much time…09 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesChildren always have to come first in these decisions. I have met a number of mums in prison who are with their babies, and it is the best place for them and their baby. It is a…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesThe residential centre in Swansea is something that we are considering. We have had the spending review and we are waiting for the allocation process. I know it has planning…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesI am not familiar with the exact details on testing, but I know that we have mandatory drug testing in all prisons on a regular basis. I am also aware, from having foster children…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesThe experts who work in the justice system and social services are the best placed to decide how to support mums and their babies when they are in the justice system. We have…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesTo answer my noble friend’s question head-on, whether these women should be in prison is a matter for sentencers to decide in each individual case. However, we have embarked on…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesAt the end of March 2024, there were 38 mothers and 36 babies in mother and baby units. There are currently six mother and baby units across the women’s prison estate in England,…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesI thank the noble Lord for his question. He is exactly right: we need to do more and do it faster. That is why the Women’s Justice Board is acting very quickly and coming up with…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesI have seen all the mother and baby units in our prisons, and they are stimulating and incredibly professionally run. I also know that many foster parents and families who look…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesHaving been chair of the Prison Reform Trust, I should know the details of that question, but I do not have them to hand so I will write to the noble Lord with the exact details.…07 Jul 2025HANSARDPrisons: Mothers and BabiesThe general rule is that babies can stay with mothers in prison for up to 18 months, but there is flexibility so they can stay longer if required. It is really important that when…07 Jul 2025HANSARDImprisonment for Public Protection (Re-sentencing) Bill [HL]HMIP did a report into recalls of IPP prisoners and said that they are being used proportionately. I believe that the Parole Board has the right skills and experience to make…04 Jul 2025HANSARDImprisonment for Public Protection (Re-sentencing) Bill [HL]My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend Lord Woodley and to every Peer who has brought such sustained focus to the imprisonment for public protection sentence. Their passion…04 Jul 2025HANSARDImprisonment for Public Protection (Re-sentencing) Bill [HL]My Lords, the second group of amendments clarify the Bill’s clauses and make important changes to the wording. However, the Government maintain reservations about the risk to…04 Jul 2025HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025That the draft Order laid before the House on 9 June be approved. Relevant document: 29th Report from the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (special attention drawn to the…02 Jul 2025HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025That the Grand Committee do consider the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025. Relevant document : 29th Report from the Secondary Legislation…01 Jul 2025HANSARDCriminal Justice Act 2003 (Suitability for Fixed Term Recall) Order 2025Our probation officers are experts in managing risk and their decisions determine whether someone is recalled, but it is important that we look into examples where it seems that…01 Jul 2025